Description
This Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet is a creamy, comforting one-pan meal featuring tender chicken breasts cooked to golden perfection, combined with pillowy gnocchi tossed in a luscious garlic Parmesan cream sauce. Quick to prepare within 30 minutes, it’s perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner that doesn’t compromise on flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1 pound chicken breasts
Produce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Dairy
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Pantry
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 package (16 ounces) gnocchi
Instructions
- Heat the oil: Warm the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat to prepare for cooking the chicken.
- Season the chicken: Sprinkle salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts to enhance flavor.
- Cook the chicken: Place the seasoned chicken in the skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes on each side until golden brown and fully cooked through.
- Rest the chicken: Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside to rest, allowing juices to redistribute.
- Sauté garlic: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, ensuring the garlic doesn’t burn.
- Deglaze the pan: Pour in chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the skillet bottom to add flavor to the sauce.
- Add cream and simmer: Stir in heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Thicken the sauce: Let simmer 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly, stirring occasionally.
- Incorporate cheese: Gradually add grated Parmesan, stirring constantly until fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste and season the sauce with additional salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes as desired.
- Cook gnocchi: Meanwhile, boil gnocchi in salted water per package instructions until they float to the surface, then drain.
- Add gnocchi to sauce: Transfer drained gnocchi into the skillet, gently stirring to coat with the creamy sauce.
- Slice chicken: Thinly slice the rested chicken breasts to prepare for mixing with the gnocchi.
- Combine chicken and gnocchi: Add the sliced chicken to the skillet and stir to combine everything evenly.
- Heat evenly: Let the skillet simmer for another 2-3 minutes to warm through and meld flavors.
- Garnish: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the dish for a bright, fresh finish.
- Serve: Plate the garlic chicken gnocchi skillet hot, optionally topping with extra Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Resting the chicken after cooking ensures it remains juicy when sliced.
- To speed up meal prep, use pre-minced garlic if desired.
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, though it will be less rich.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level or omit for a milder dish.
- Gnocchi can be cooked ahead and briefly reheated in the sauce to save time.
