Description
Quick and easy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet with tender chicken, pillowy gnocchi, creamy tomato sauce, and fresh spinach and basil. A comforting one-pan meal!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio)
- 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
- 1 (17.6 ounce) package potato gnocchi
- 1 cup chopped fresh spinach
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: In a medium bowl, combine the bite-sized chicken pieces with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Toss to coat.
- Add garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, black pepper, and salt to the chicken. Toss until evenly seasoned.
- Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken.
- Cook the chicken for about 5-7 minutes, or until cooked through and no longer pink inside, stirring occasionally. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Gnocchi Sauce: Add another tablespoon of olive oil to the same skillet. Reduce the heat to medium.
- Add the minced garlic and chopped onion to the skillet. Sauté for about 3-5 minutes, or until the onion is softened and translucent.
- Pour in the dry white wine. Let the wine simmer for about 2-3 minutes, allowing the alcohol to evaporate.
- Add the can of diced tomatoes (undrained) and the cannellini beans (rinsed and drained) to the skillet. Stir to combine.
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it simmer for about 5-7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cook the Gnocchi and Assemble: Add the potato gnocchi to the skillet with the sauce. Gently stir to coat the gnocchi in the sauce.
- Cook the gnocchi according to the package directions, usually about 3-5 minutes, or until they float to the surface and are tender.
- Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet. Stir to combine, ensuring the chicken is heated through.
- Stir in the chopped fresh spinach and basil.
- Serve immediately. Garnish with extra grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh basil, if desired.
Notes
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a little heat.
- Add more veggies: Feel free to add other vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini to the skillet. Sauté them along with the onion and garlic.
- Use different beans: If you don’t have cannellini beans, you can use great northern beans or even chickpeas.
- Make it lighter: Substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream to reduce the fat content.
- Add sun-dried tomatoes: A handful of oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped, would add a burst of intense flavor to the sauce.
- Use store-bought rotisserie chicken: To save time, use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken instead of cooking the chicken yourself. Simply shred the chicken and add it to the skillet at the end.
- Make it vegetarian: Omit the chicken and add more vegetables or plant-based protein like tofu or tempeh.
- Gnocchi options: While potato gnocchi is classic, you can also use cauliflower gnocchi for a lower-carb option.
- Wine substitution: If you don’t have white wine, you can use more chicken broth or a splash of lemon juice.
- Fresh herbs are key: Don’t skip the fresh basil! It really elevates the flavor of the dish. If you don’t have fresh basil, you can use dried basil, but use about half the amount.
- Make Ahead Instructions: You can prepare the chicken and the sauce separately ahead of time. Store them in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to serve, simply reheat the sauce and chicken in the skillet, then add the gnocchi and spinach as directed.
- Storage Instructions: Store leftover Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a skillet over medium heat until heated through.
- Serving Suggestions: This Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet is a complete meal on its own, but you can also serve it with a side salad or some crusty bread for dipping in the sauce.
- Troubleshooting:
- Sauce too thick: Add a little more chicken broth to thin it out.
- Sauce too thin: Simmer the sauce for a few more minutes to allow it to reduce and thicken.
- Gnocchi sticking to the pan: Make sure the skillet is well-oiled and stir the gnocchi frequently.
- Chicken is dry: Don’t overcook the chicken. Cook it just until it’s cooked through.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes