Description
This Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi recipe is a comforting, rich dish featuring tender diced chicken breasts simmered with gnocchi in a luscious cream and Parmesan sauce, accented by sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and fresh basil. Perfect for a quick yet indulgent weeknight dinner, this skillet meal combines simple ingredients to create a velvety, flavorful Italian-inspired entrée.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Sauté and Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons butter (divided)
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Main Components
- 1 lb gnocchi
- 1/4 cup fresh sliced basil leaves, plus more for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Dice the chicken breasts into approximately 2-inch pieces. Toss the chicken with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Brown the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the seasoned chicken and cook undisturbed for about 3 minutes to brown on one side. Stir and cook for an additional 3 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and browned on all sides. Remove the chicken from the skillet, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté until fragrant, about 2 minutes. (Note: The original instructions mention onion but ingredients do not specify it; for fidelity, garlic is emphasized.)
- Brown the Gnocchi: Add gnocchi and 1 tablespoon of butter to the skillet. Cook for 2 minutes to brown the gnocchi slightly, stirring occasionally.
- Add Liquids and Vegetables: Stir in chicken broth and sun-dried tomatoes. Cover the skillet and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the gnocchi is tender and has absorbed some liquid, and the sauce is slightly thickened.
- Finish Cream Sauce: Reduce heat to low and add heavy cream and the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Stir continuously until the butter melts and the sauce is hot but not boiling.
- Melt the Cheese: Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until it melts fully and the sauce becomes smooth and velvety.
- Combine and Garnish: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and fold gently into the creamy gnocchi mixture. Stir in fresh basil leaves. Garnish with additional basil if desired before serving.
Notes
- Use chicken breast for a lean option but avoid overcooking to prevent dryness. You can substitute chicken thighs or Italian sausage for a juicier and more flavorful result.
- Frozen or dried gnocchi can be used; dried gnocchi is preferred for cost-effectiveness and pantry storage.
- To make a dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with full-fat coconut cream and butter with vegan butter.
- If avoiding dairy, nutritional yeast can replace Parmesan cheese, although the sauce will be less thick.
Keywords: Creamy chicken gnocchi, Italian gnocchi recipe, creamy chicken pasta, easy dinner, skillet recipe