Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil or sun-dried tomato oil (For cooking the chicken; use oil from the sun-dried tomato can if desired.)
• 1 lb chicken breast (About 2 breasts, cut into ¾–1-inch pieces.)
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp ground black pepper
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 garlic (Cloves, minced.)
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1 cup heavy cream (Or double cream if in the UK.)
• 16 oz gnocchi
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 0.333 cup sun-dried tomatoes (Chopped.)
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese (Grated.)
• 2 cup baby spinach leaves
• water (A splash, only if the sauce becomes too thick.)

Steps

1. 1

   Heat the olive oil or sun-dried tomato oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat.

2. 2

   Add the chicken pieces. Sprinkle them evenly with the Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper, then cook for about 4–5 minutes, turning as needed, until golden on the outside and cooked through to 165°F (74°C).

3. 3

   Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set it aside.

4. 4

   Reduce the heat to medium and add the butter to the same skillet. Let it melt.

5. 5

   Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant. Do not let it burn.

6. 6

   Pour in the chicken stock. Scrape the browned bits from the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon and stir them into the stock.

7. 7

   Add the heavy cream and gnocchi to the skillet.

8. 8

   Let the mixture bubble gently for about 5 minutes, until the sauce thickens and the gnocchi soften. Watch carefully so the gnocchi do not become mushy.

9. 9

   Reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir in the smoked paprika, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and grated Parmesan.

10. 10

    Add the baby spinach and stir until the leaves wilt.

11. 11

    If the sauce is too thick, add a small splash of water to loosen it.

12. 12

    Return the chicken to the skillet and stir everything together. Remove the skillet from the heat and serve immediately while warm.

Notes

The structured source lists a 10-minute prep time and 10-minute total time, although the detailed method includes approximately 4–5 minutes for the chicken, 30 seconds for the garlic, and 5 minutes for the gnocchi. Add water only as needed to loosen an overly thick sauce. Serve immediately because the spinach can become mushy if overcooked.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• one-pan
• skillet
• chicken
• Italian-inspired
• comfort food
• quick dinner