One Pan Creamy Chicken And Gnocchi

Our One Pan Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi recipe flawlessly combines tender chicken, pillowy gnocchi, and an irresistibly creamy sauce, all cooked to perfection in a single pan in just 30 minutes. With just the right balance of flavors and textures, this recipe promises to be a family favorite, impressing both your taste buds and your dinner guests.

Whether you’re looking to create a wholesome weeknight meal or an impressive dish for a special occasion, our chicken gnocchi recipe is sure to delight with every delicious bite.

I think everyone should have a few great one-pan meals ready for busy days when you don’t want to spend too much time over the hot stove. You can keep this recipe for sheet pan gnocchi with sausage and vegetables handy for another busy day. Another family favorite around here is this Greek-inspired sheet pan chicken and veggies, a simple but really flavorful dinner.

What’s a one-pan dinner?

One-pan dinners, also called sheet-pan or one-pot dinners, is a method of meal preparation where an entire meal is cooked using just one pan or skillet. It simplifies cooking and minimizes cleanup, so it tends to be a popular choice for home cooks with busy dinner times.

But beyond the simplicity, one-pan dinners are delicious! A one-pan dinner allows various ingredients to cook together in a single pan so their flavors blend together. This might include proteins like chicken, beef, or seafood, along with vegetables, grains, and seasonings. The goal is to have all the components of the meal cooked to perfection in one pan, saving time and effort in the kitchen.

What You’ll Love About One Pan Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi

• Only One Pan!: For weeknights or when you’re entertaining, this recipe cooks easily into one pan, so clean-up is a breeze.
• Creamy & Delicious: The creamy sauce is made with fragrant garlic and a dash of Old Bay Seasoning, and I think that combo is simply irresistible.
• Fast to Make: This meal preps and cooks in about 30 minutes, so you can cook it just about any night – even the busy ones!

Ingredients

• Boneless skinless chicken breasts – You can use chicken thighs or even tofu for a vegetarian option. Just adjust your cooking time accordingly. If you use thighs, you’ll need to cook them or an extra 10 minutes or so.
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper
• Old Bay Seasoning – Cajun seasoning or Italian seasoning will taste differently but can be used as a substitute.
• Olive oil
• Butter – Margarine or a vegan butter substitute can be used as a dairy-free option.
• Garlic – Minced garlic from a jar can be substituted.
• Chicken broth – Vegetable broth or water with a bouillon cube can replace chicken broth.
• Lemon – You can use lime juice if you have that available instead.
• Heavy cream – Coconut milk or almond milk will work as a dairy-free alternative, but your sauce may be thinner and need a bit more time to thicken up.
• Potato gnocchi – I used basic potato gnocchi, but any type of gnocchi, such as spinach or whole wheat, will work in this recipe.
• Baby kale – Spinach, arugula, or Swiss chard can be used instead.

Step By Step Instructions

STEP ONE: Prep the chicken. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and 1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning.

STEP TWO: Cook the chicken. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken once the pan is hot and cook for 5-7 minutes. Flip the chicken and add the butter to the skillet. Cook for an additional 7 minutes or until the internal temperature is 165°F. Transfer the chicken to a plate.

STEP THREE: Make the sauce and cook the gnocchi. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Deglaze the pan with the chicken broth and lemon juice. Use a spatula to scrape up the bits on the bottom of the skillet. Add the heavy cream and the remaining teaspoon of Old Bay Seasoning. Add the gnocchi and cook for 7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Turn off the heat and add the kale. Stir until wilted.

STEP FOUR: Serve. Add the chicken back to the pan and serve hot.

Tips and Recipe Notes

• Make sure to cut the chicken into evenly sized pieces. You can butterfly cut them if they’re thick, or pound them out with a mallet if you’d like.
• Keep an eye on the gnocchi! They cook quickly, and you don’t want them to turn mushy.
• Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds a really nice flavor and is much better than using the pre-squeezed lemon juice from the grocery store.
• Don’t crowd the pan with the chicken. Give your chicken some room so it turns golden brown. Cook it in batches if you need to.

What to Serve With Chicken and Gnocchi

One of the best things about this One Pan Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi dish is that it’s a great meal all on its own. Much like a pasta dish with chicken, it’s filling! But if you want to add some veggies or need to make it stretch a little farther, you can definitely serve it with some sides.

I’d recommend you keep it simple, especially since the goal is to not dirty too many dishes!

• Side Salad: You can make a simple salad with lettuce, some chopped veggies, and dressing from the fridge door, or make something a bit more special, like this spring salad with a homemade buttermilk dressing.
• Garlic Bread: Garlic bread makes just about any meal better, doesn’t it?
• Crusty Bread: A loaf of French or artisan bread is perfect for sopping up all the creamy sauce left on your plate, and helps fill up hungry bellies.
• Roasted Vegetables: Try these green beans or roast some root veggies in the oven with your favorite seasoning.

FAQs

How to Store Leftovers

If you happen to have leftovers (which is rare because it’s so delicious), you can eat them another day. Just allow the chicken and gnocchi to cool to room temperature, then place it all in an airtight container. Make sure to grab a spatula and scrape out the pan really well! It should be fresh for 3-4 days.

Can I freeze leftovers?

Absolutely! This gnocchi recipe freezes well. Cool the leftovers to room temperature, then place in a freezer-safe container or Ziploc bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible and store for up to 2 months.

How to Reheat

Reheat your leftovers on the stovetop or in the microwave until piping hot. You may want to add a splash of broth or cream to give the dish back some of it’s original consistency.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can! You can prepare the creamy sauce and cook the gnocchi ahead of time, then store them separately. When you’re ready to eat, reheat the sauce, cook the chicken, and combine. Easy peasy!

Can this recipe be made gluten-free?

Yes, it can! Look for gluten-free potato gnocchi, and just make sure your broth and seasonings are gluten-free as well.

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