Description
Creamy Crac Chicken Gnocchi is a comforting and satisfying dish featuring tender cubed chicken cooked in a rich, creamy sauce made with heavy cream, cream cheese, and Parmesan. Combined with pillowy gnocchi, fresh spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes, this skillet meal comes together quickly and offers a perfect balance of flavors and textures, ideal for a hearty weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound chicken breast, cubed
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon butter
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound gnocchi
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Heat olive oil: Warm the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat to prepare for cooking the chicken.
- Cook chicken: Add the cubed chicken breast to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is thoroughly cooked through and lightly browned on all sides, approximately 6-8 minutes.
- Season chicken: Sprinkle garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper evenly over the chicken. Stir well to coat all pieces with the seasoning for balanced flavor.
- Deglaze skillet: Pour chicken broth into the skillet, stirring to combine and scraping any browned bits from the bottom, enhancing the sauce’s depth.
- Add cream ingredients: Reduce heat to medium-low, then add heavy cream, softened cream cheese, and grated Parmesan cheese into the skillet.
- Simmer sauce: Stir continuously until the cream cheese fully melts and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add butter: Stir in the butter, mixing thoroughly until it is fully incorporated to enrich the sauce’s texture.
- Cook gnocchi: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add gnocchi and cook for 2-3 minutes or until they float to the surface, indicating they’re done.
- Combine gnocchi with sauce: Use a slotted spoon to remove the cooked gnocchi from the boiling water and transfer them directly into the skillet with the chicken and creamy sauce.
- Add spinach: Stir in fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 1-2 minutes, incorporating vibrant greens into the dish.
- Add sun-dried tomatoes: Mix in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for an additional minute to heat them through and blend flavors.
- Finish and serve: Remove the skillet from heat and garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately, ensuring the sauce is generously drizzled over the gnocchi and chicken for maximum flavor.
Notes
- Ensure the chicken is fully cooked before seasoning to allow even flavor absorption.
- Vegetable broth can be used as a substitute for chicken broth for a lighter flavor.
- For added heat, incorporate a pinch of red pepper flakes into the seasoning mix.
- Use gluten-free gnocchi or low-carb alternatives to make this dish gluten-free.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
