This Easy Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Skillet is ready in just 30 minutes! Tender gnocchi, juicy chicken, fresh spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes in a rich, creamy garlic parmesan sauce. All made in one pan for easy cleanup. Perfect comfort food for busy weeknights! 🍝🧀
Some nights call for comfort food that feels like a warm hug but doesn’t require hours in the kitchen. This Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Skillet delivers exactly that, bringing together pillowy soft gnocchi, golden chicken, and a velvety cream sauce that clings to every bite. The best part is that everything cooks in one skillet from start to finish.
Gnocchi are those delightful little potato dumplings that cook in minutes and soak up sauce beautifully. Combined with tender chicken pieces, fresh spinach that wilts into the sauce, and tangy sun-dried tomatoes, this dish feels restaurant quality but comes together faster than ordering takeout. The creamy garlic parmesan sauce ties everything together with rich, savory flavor that makes you want to soak up every last drop with crusty bread.
This recipe works perfectly for weeknight dinners when you’re short on time but want something special, or for impressing guests with minimal effort. One pan means easy cleanup, and the ingredient list is simple yet delivers bold Italian inspired flavors.
Ingredients
For the chicken and gnocchi base
These form the hearty foundation of your skillet meal.
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite sized pieces
- 1 pound shelf stable gnocchi, not frozen
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons butter, divided
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
For the creamy sauce
This rich sauce brings everything together with incredible flavor.
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 3/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, optional but adds depth
Vegetables and garnishes
Fresh additions that brighten and complete the dish.
- 3 cups fresh baby spinach, packed
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- Extra parmesan cheese for serving
- Fresh cracked black pepper
How to Make the Recipe
Season and cook the chicken
Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels and season them generously with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large deep skillet over medium high heat. Once the butter melts and the pan is hot, add the chicken pieces in a single layer.
Cook without moving for 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown on the bottom. Flip and cook another 3 to 4 minutes until cooked through and golden on all sides. The chicken doesn’t need to be completely cooked at this stage as it will finish cooking in the sauce. Transfer chicken to a plate and set aside.
Cook the gnocchi
In the same skillet with the chicken drippings, add another tablespoon of butter. Once melted, add the gnocchi in a single layer. Let them cook undisturbed for 2 to 3 minutes until they develop golden brown spots on the bottom. Stir and cook another 2 minutes to brown the other sides. The gnocchi should be crispy on the outside but tender inside. Transfer to the plate with the chicken.
Build the creamy sauce
Add the remaining tablespoon of butter to the skillet. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned. Add the sun-dried tomatoes and stir for another 30 seconds to release their flavor into the butter.
Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up all the flavorful browned bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon. Let it simmer for 1 minute. Add the heavy cream, crushed red pepper flakes, and nutmeg if using. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer.
Combine everything
Reduce heat to medium low. Stir in the grated parmesan cheese until it melts into the sauce and creates a smooth, creamy consistency. Return the chicken and gnocchi to the skillet along with any accumulated juices. Stir gently to coat everything in the sauce.
Add the fresh spinach in handfuls, stirring after each addition until it wilts down into the sauce. This takes about 2 minutes. The spinach will reduce significantly in volume. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
Finish and serve
Remove from heat and stir in the fresh chopped basil. The residual heat will release its aromatic oils without cooking away its bright flavor. Serve immediately in shallow bowls, garnished with extra parmesan cheese and fresh cracked black pepper.
What This Dish Tastes Like
Rich and velvety comfort
The cream sauce envelops each piece of gnocchi and chicken in luxurious richness. The parmesan adds nutty, salty depth while the cream provides smooth body that coats your palate. It tastes indulgent and restaurant quality despite the simple preparation.
Balanced savory flavors
Golden seared chicken brings protein and satisfying substance. The sun-dried tomatoes contribute concentrated tangy sweetness that cuts through the cream. Garlic threads aromatic warmth throughout every bite. Fresh basil adds bright herbal notes at the finish.
Pillowy gnocchi perfection
The gnocchi absorb the creamy sauce while maintaining their tender, pillowy texture. The light crisping from pan cooking adds textural contrast, giving you soft centers with slightly firmer exteriors that hold up beautifully in the sauce.
Tips for the Best Results
Use shelf stable gnocchi
Shelf stable vacuum packed gnocchi work best for this recipe. They hold their shape during cooking and develop a nice golden exterior when pan fried. Frozen gnocchi release too much moisture and become mushy. Fresh refrigerated gnocchi also work well.
Don’t skip browning the chicken
Taking time to properly brown the chicken creates flavorful fond on the bottom of the pan that becomes the foundation of your sauce. Those browned bits add incredible depth when you deglaze with broth.
Cook gnocchi in batches if needed
Overcrowding prevents proper browning. If your skillet isn’t large enough to fit all the gnocchi in a single layer, cook them in two batches. Properly browned gnocchi add important textural contrast.
Use freshly grated parmesan
Pre-grated parmesan contains anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting smoothly into sauces. Freshly grated parmesan from a block melts beautifully and creates silky sauce without graininess.
Add spinach gradually
Adding spinach in handfuls and stirring between additions helps it wilt evenly without overwhelming the pan. Three cups of raw spinach will reduce to about one cup once wilted.
Variations
Mushroom and herb version
Add 8 ounces sliced mushrooms after cooking the chicken. Sauté until golden before adding garlic. Replace basil with fresh thyme and add a splash of white wine when deglazing. The earthy mushrooms complement the creamy sauce beautifully.
Spicy Italian style
Double the crushed red pepper flakes and add sliced spicy Italian sausage along with or instead of chicken. Use fire roasted tomatoes instead of sun-dried tomatoes for smoky heat. Finish with fresh oregano.
Lighter version with milk
Replace half the heavy cream with whole milk and use less butter. Add an extra 1/4 cup parmesan to maintain richness. While not as decadent, this version still delivers great flavor with fewer calories.
Pesto cream variation
Stir 1/4 cup basil pesto into the finished sauce for extra herby flavor and beautiful green color. Use only 1 cup heavy cream to compensate for the pesto’s richness. Top with toasted pine nuts.
How to Serve
As a complete one pan dinner
This skillet contains protein, carbohydrates, and vegetables, making it a complete meal on its own. Serve directly from the pan at the table for a casual, family style presentation that stays warm throughout dinner.
With crusty bread
Serve with warm crusty Italian bread, garlic bread, or focaccia for soaking up every bit of the creamy sauce. The bread transforms any remaining sauce into another delicious course.
Paired with simple salad
Balance the richness with a crisp green salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette. The acidity and freshness cut through the cream and make the meal feel lighter. Add cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and shaved parmesan to the salad.
For special occasions
Transfer to a beautiful serving dish and garnish with extra fresh basil, parmesan shavings, and a drizzle of good olive oil. This simple preparation looks elegant enough for dinner parties or date nights at home.
Make Ahead and Storage
Prep ingredients ahead
Chop chicken, mince garlic, chop sun-dried tomatoes, and grate parmesan up to 2 days ahead. Store everything in separate containers. This makes final cooking fast and efficient on busy nights.
Refrigerating leftovers
Store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 3 days. The gnocchi will absorb more sauce as it sits, so add a splash of cream or broth when reheating. Warm gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave, stirring occasionally.
Freezing considerations
This dish is best enjoyed fresh. The cream sauce can separate when frozen and thawed, and gnocchi texture may become mushy. If you must freeze, do so for no more than 1 month and reheat very gently while stirring frequently.
Quick reheating method
Reheat individual portions in a skillet with a tablespoon of butter and a splash of cream or broth. Stir over medium low heat until warmed through and the sauce comes back together smoothly.
Why This Recipe Becomes a Favorite
One pan simplicity
Everything cooks in sequence in the same skillet, building layers of flavor while minimizing cleanup. No separate pot for boiling gnocchi, no multiple pans to wash. Just one skillet from start to finish.
Restaurant quality at home
This tastes like something you’d order at an upscale Italian restaurant but comes together in your own kitchen in 30 minutes. The combination of cream, parmesan, and pan drippings creates complex flavor that impresses everyone.
Quick weeknight solution
From start to finish, this meal takes just 30 minutes. The ingredients are straightforward and mostly pantry staples. It’s fast enough for busy Tuesday nights but special enough that it never feels boring or routine.
Crowd pleasing flavors
Creamy pasta dishes appeal to almost everyone. The mild Italian flavors work for picky eaters while still satisfying adults who want something flavorful. Kids love the pillowy gnocchi while adults appreciate the sophisticated sauce.
This Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Skillet brings together tender chicken, pillowy gnocchi, and rich parmesan cream sauce in one easy pan that cooks in 30 minutes. It delivers comfort, flavor, and satisfaction without requiring advanced techniques or hard to find ingredients. May this recipe become your new go-to when you need something special but don’t have time to fuss.
