Description
This creamy chicken and gnocchi dish is a comforting one-pot meal that combines tender, seasoned chicken, pillowy gnocchi, and fresh vegetables in a rich, flavorful sauce. Made with a blend of cherry tomatoes, spinach, and aromatic herbs, it’s an easy and delicious recipe perfect for busy weeknights that pleases the whole family.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins & Dairy
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Vegetables & Herbs
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Pantry & Seasonings
- 1 pound gnocchi (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients: Gather and prep all ingredients for an efficient cooking process. Dice onion and bell pepper, mince garlic, halve cherry tomatoes, and cut chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Sauté aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Cook vegetables: Add diced red bell pepper and sauté for another 3-4 minutes until softened.
- Cook chicken: Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, dried oregano, and dried basil. Add to the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes until chicken is browned and cooked through.
- Add gnocchi and broth: Add gnocchi directly to the pot with chicken. Pour in chicken broth, ensuring gnocchi is submerged. Bring to a gentle boil.
- Simmer: Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and let simmer for 5 minutes to allow gnocchi to cook and absorb flavors.
- Add tomatoes and spinach: Remove lid, add halved cherry tomatoes and fresh spinach, stirring gently to combine.
- Incorporate cream: Pour in heavy cream and stir well to create a rich, creamy sauce.
- Continue simmering: Let the dish simmer uncovered for another 3-4 minutes, allowing spinach to wilt and tomatoes to soften. Add red pepper flakes if using for a bit of heat.
- Adjust seasoning and add cheese: Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and combined.
- Rest the dish: Remove pot from heat and let it sit for a couple of minutes to thicken the sauce slightly.
- Serve: Ladle the creamy gnocchi chicken mixture into bowls. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired. Serve with crusty bread or a simple salad for a complete meal.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; flavors will deepen over time.
- To reheat, warm gently on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or cream if the sauce thickens too much.
- Red pepper flakes are optional; omit or adjust quantity to control heat level.
- Use homemade or store-bought gnocchi depending on preference and convenience.
