Description
A rich and creamy chicken gnocchi recipe that combines tender chicken breasts, soft gnocchi, and fresh spinach in a luscious sun-dried tomato pesto and Parmesan cream sauce. Ready in just 20 minutes, this skillet-based meal is perfect for a comforting and hearty weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Sauce and Gnocchi
- 1 cup heavy cream, room temperature
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- ¼ cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup sun-dried tomato pesto
- 1 pound gnocchi (1 package)
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
Instructions
- Cook Chicken: Season the cubed chicken breasts with kosher salt and ground black pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook the chicken pieces until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make Sauce and Cook Gnocchi: In the same skillet, add heavy cream, low-sodium chicken broth, freshly shredded Parmesan cheese, and sun-dried tomato pesto. Stir gently to combine. Add the gnocchi to the skillet, cover it with a lid, and cook for 5 minutes, allowing the gnocchi to soften and absorb the flavors.
- Add Chicken and Spinach: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir in the fresh baby spinach. Cook for an additional 2 minutes, or until the spinach has wilted and the chicken is warmed through.
- Serve Immediately: Once the spinach is wilted and everything is heated through, serve the creamy chicken gnocchi hot for maximum flavor and enjoyment.
Notes
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to control the salt content in this dish.
- Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safety.
- Covering the skillet while cooking gnocchi helps it cook evenly and absorb the sauce.
- You can substitute sun-dried tomato pesto with regular basil pesto for a different flavor profile.
- Fresh spinach is preferable, but you may use frozen spinach if drained well.
