Description
This Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi recipe features tender chicken breasts cooked to golden perfection and nestled in a rich, creamy sauce with tender gnocchi, sautéed shallots, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh spinach. Enhanced with fresh thyme and Parmesan, this dish offers a comforting and flavorful meal perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb. chicken breasts, pounded thin or thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon seasoning of choice (e.g., McCormick rotisserie chicken seasoning)
Sauce and Vegetables
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large shallot, thinly sliced or minced
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained
- 1 cup packed spinach leaves, torn into smaller pieces
- 2 cups chicken broth (more as needed)
- 1/2 cup cream
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh thyme, to taste
- Grated Parmesan, to taste
Pasta
- 12 ounces store-bought gnocchi (e.g., DeLallo gnocchi)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large, wide skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts on both sides with your preferred seasoning blend until evenly coated. Add the chicken to the hot pan and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Shallots and Sun-Dried Tomatoes: In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon olive oil, then add the thinly sliced shallots and drained sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté over medium heat for about 5 minutes until the shallots are golden and softened, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Cook Gnocchi: Add the gnocchi and chicken broth to the skillet. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the gnocchi are tender and have absorbed some of the broth.
- Add Cream and Spinach: Pour in the cream and add the torn spinach leaves. Stir gently to combine all ingredients, and keep the mixture at a low simmer for a few minutes to allow the sauce to thicken and the spinach to wilt.
- Season and Combine: Season the sauce with salt, freshly ground pepper, and fresh thyme leaves to taste. Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the creamy gnocchi mixture to reheat and meld flavors.
- Serve: Plate the chicken breasts with a generous scoop of the creamy gnocchi and sauce. Sprinkle grated Parmesan over the top or stir it into the sauce for an extra layer of flavor. Enjoy while warm.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for a slightly different flavor profile.
- Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil add richness; if using dry-packed, rehydrate them before use.
- Adjust seasoning quantities based on personal taste preference and seasoning blend strength.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To reheat, warm gently on the stovetop or microwave, adding a splash of broth or cream if the sauce thickens too much.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Creamy Chicken, Gnocchi, One-pan meal, Italian-inspired, Comfort food, Chicken dinner
