Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: About 3-4 chicken breasts work best adjust based on how many hungry mouths you’re feeding Recipe
Creamy Crack Chicken Gnocchi is a comforting and flavorful one-pan dish featuring tender chicken breasts, pillowy gnocchi, and a rich, cheesy cream sauce. Enhanced with crispy bacon bits and fresh spinach, this recipe combines hearty protein with fresh vegetables for a satisfying meal perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Gnocchi
- 3–4 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
- 1 lb Fresh or Frozen Gnocchi
Sauce and Cheese
- 8 oz Cream Cheese (full-fat recommended)
- 1 cup Low-Sodium Chicken Broth
- 1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Vegetables and Bacon
- 2 cups Fresh Spinach
- 1/2 cup Crispy Bacon Bits
Seasonings
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chicken until no longer pink inside, about 6-7 minutes per side. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Cook the Gnocchi: In the same skillet, add a little oil if needed and cook the gnocchi according to package instructions until they are golden and tender, typically about 3-5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: Lower the heat to medium-low and add cream cheese and chicken broth to the skillet. Stir continuously until the cream cheese has melted and the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Add Cheese and Bacon: Stir in shredded cheddar cheese and crispy bacon bits, allowing the cheese to melt fully into the sauce.
- Combine and Add Spinach: Return the cooked chicken and gnocchi back to the skillet. Stir in fresh spinach and cook until the spinach wilts, about 2 minutes.
- Final Seasoning: Taste the dish and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Serve warm and enjoy this rich and flavorful dish.
Notes
- For extra smoky flavor, use freshly cooked bacon instead of bacon bits.
- Use gluten-free gnocchi if you require a gluten-free meal.
- If you prefer a lighter version, substitute cream cheese with Greek yogurt, but add it at the end to avoid curdling.
- Fresh spinach can be substituted with kale or Swiss chard for a different taste.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: Creamy Crack Chicken Gnocchi, creamy chicken gnocchi, cheesy chicken gnocchi, one-pan dinner, comfort food, bacon chicken gnocchi
