Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi (Printable Version)

Tender chicken and gnocchi in rich garlic cream sauce with Parmesan and spinach, cooked in one pan.

# The Ingredients You'll Need:

→ Chicken & Seasoning

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
02 - 1 teaspoon salt
03 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
04 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
05 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Sauce & Gnocchi

06 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
08 - ½ cup dry white wine
09 - 1 cup chicken broth
10 - 1 cup heavy cream
11 - 18 ounces potato gnocchi, fresh or shelf-stable
12 - 3 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped
13 - ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
14 - ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

→ Garnish

15 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
16 - Extra grated Parmesan cheese for serving

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F.
02 - Pat chicken thighs dry and season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken thighs for 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer to a plate.
04 - Reduce heat to medium. Add butter and garlic to the same skillet, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Deglaze pan with white wine, scraping up any browned bits. Simmer for 2 minutes.
06 - Stir in chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer.
07 - Add gnocchi to the skillet and stir to coat. Return chicken thighs with any accumulated juices, nestling them into the sauce.
08 - Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes. Transfer skillet to preheated oven.
09 - Bake uncovered for 15–18 minutes, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and gnocchi are tender.
10 - Stir in spinach immediately after removing from oven, allowing the residual heat to wilt the leaves. Garnish with parsley and extra Parmesan before serving.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • One-Pan Simplicity: Everything cooks in a single oven-safe skillet, meaning less time washing dishes and more time eating.
  • Restaurant Quality: The combination of heavy cream, white wine, and freshly grated Parmesan creates a luxury sauce that tastes like it came from a bistro.
  • Fast and Filling: With a 40-minute total time, it is an achievable dinner that is hearty enough to satisfy the whole family.
02 -
  • Don't Overcook the Spinach: Adding the spinach at the very end ensures it wilts perfectly without turning mushy or losing its vibrant green color.
  • Fresh Parmesan: Use freshly grated Parmesan from a block for the best melting consistency; pre-shredded cheeses often contain anti-caking agents that can make the sauce grainy.
  • Internal Temp: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) to keep it juicy yet fully cooked.
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