Description
This Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi recipe features tender, pan-seared chicken breasts served with pillowy gnocchi simmered in a flavorful, creamy sauce enriched with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and fresh thyme. It’s a comforting and easy-to-make dish perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1 lb. chicken breasts, pounded thin or thinly sliced
Pan Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking chicken)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for shallots and tomatoes)
- 1 large shallot, thinly sliced or minced
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup cream
- 1 cup packed spinach leaves, torn into smaller pieces
- Fresh thyme, to taste
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Grated Parmesan, to taste
Other
- 1 tablespoon seasoning of choice (e.g., McCormick rotisserie chicken seasoning)
- 12 ounces store-bought gnocchi
Instructions
- Cook Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large, wide skillet over medium-high heat. Season both sides of the chicken breasts evenly with your choice of seasoning (use about 1 tablespoon or as desired). Add the chicken to the hot pan and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Shallots and Tomatoes: In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, then add the thinly sliced shallots and drained sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the shallots are golden and softened.
- Cook Gnocchi: Add the gnocchi and chicken broth to the skillet with shallots and tomatoes. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the gnocchi are tender and cooked through.
- Add Cream and Spinach: Stir in the cream and torn spinach leaves into the skillet. Keep the mixture at a low simmer for a few minutes to allow the sauce to thicken and the spinach to wilt.
- Season and Combine: Season the sauce with salt, pepper, and fresh thyme leaves to taste. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the sauce to warm through.
- Serve: Plate the chicken breasts and spoon the creamy gnocchi and sauce over or alongside. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan either on top or stirred into the sauce for extra flavor. Enjoy hot.
Notes
- You can use your favorite seasoning blend for the chicken; rotisserie chicken seasoning works beautifully for added flavor.
- If you prefer, substitute fresh tomatoes for sun-dried tomatoes but expect less concentrated flavor.
- Adjust chicken broth quantity as needed if the sauce becomes too thick or to your liking.
- Use fresh spinach for best texture and flavor; baby spinach is a great substitute.
- Grated Parmesan adds a delicious salty depth; feel free to omit or replace with a non-dairy cheese for dietary preferences.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Creamy chicken gnocchi, chicken and gnocchi recipe, easy creamy chicken dinner, one-pan chicken gnocchi, creamy pasta recipes
