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Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet

Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet

The Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet is a quick and satisfying one-pan meal that delivers restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort, making it your new go-to for busy weeknights. This recipe offers pure comfort, blending tender chicken and pillowy gnocchi in a rich, garlicky sauce that’s both indulgent and surprisingly easy to whip up.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 teaspoon salt divided
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper divided
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus more for serving
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1 (16-ounce) package potato gnocchi
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped, for garnish (optional)
  • red pepper flakes for garnish (optional)

Equipment

  • Large skillet or Dutch oven
  • Paper towels
  • Wooden spoon

Method
 

  1. Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. Season them generously with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. This step is crucial for building flavor right from the start.
    1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the seasoned chicken pieces in a single layer. Cook for 3-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Don't overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary to ensure proper searing. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
    1 tablespoon olive oil, 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  3. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the same skillet, where you’ve just cooked the chicken. Sauté for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as this can make it bitter.
    4 cloves garlic
  4. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon to loosen any browned bits left from the chicken. Let the broth simmer and reduce slightly for about 2 minutes.
    1/2 cup chicken broth
  5. Stir in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
    1 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  6. Gently add the potato gnocchi to the simmering sauce. Stir to coat them evenly. Cook for 3-5 minutes, or until the gnocchi float to the surface and are tender. The sauce will thicken as the gnocchi cook and absorb some of the liquid.
    1 (16-ounce) package potato gnocchi
  7. Add the cooked chicken back into the skillet. Stir everything together to ensure the chicken is well coated in the creamy sauce. Let it simmer for another 1-2 minutes, just to heat the chicken through.
    1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  8. Ladle the Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet into bowls. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and a pinch of red pepper flakes, if desired, for a pop of color and a hint of heat. Serve immediately and enjoy this delightful one-pan wonder!
    1/4 cup fresh parsley, red pepper flakes

Notes

This is a one-pan meal that comes together in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights. The creamy garlic sauce is rich and flavorful.