Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet (Printable Version)

Juicy chicken, pillowy gnocchi, and spinach in a garlicky Parmesan cream sauce, all cooked in one skillet.

# The Ingredients You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 4 bone-in, skinless chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs)

→ Vegetables

02 - 3 cups fresh baby spinach
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
04 - 4 garlic cloves, minced

→ Gnocchi & Dairy

05 - 1 lb shelf-stable potato gnocchi
06 - 1 cup heavy cream
07 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving

→ Pantry & Seasoning

08 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
09 - 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
10 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
11 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
12 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
13 - Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - Set oven to 400°F and allow to fully preheat.
02 - Pat chicken thighs dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 4–5 minutes per side until golden. Transfer to a plate.
04 - In the same skillet, add diced onion and sauté for 2–3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Stir in gnocchi and toast for 2 minutes, then pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring to a simmer.
06 - Stir in Parmesan cheese, then fold in baby spinach until just wilted.
07 - Nestle chicken thighs into the creamy gnocchi mixture. Spoon some sauce over the chicken.
08 - Transfer skillet to the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 15–18 minutes, or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and gnocchi is tender.
09 - Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan and red pepper flakes if desired.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one oven-safe skillet, so cleanup is as easy as dinner itself.
  • The gnocchi soaks up all that garlicky cream and gets tender without needing to be boiled separately.
  • Chicken thighs stay juicy and flavorful even if you forget to check the timer for an extra minute or two.
  • It feels fancy enough for company but forgiving enough for a regular Tuesday.
02 -
  • Pat the chicken thighs completely dry before seasoning or they will steam instead of sear, and you'll miss out on that golden crust.
  • Don't skip toasting the gnocchi in the skillet before adding the liquid, it gives them a little structure so they don't fall apart in the sauce.
  • Let the dish rest for 5 minutes after baking so the sauce has time to thicken and cling to everything instead of pooling at the bottom.
03 -
  • Use an oven-safe skillet with a metal handle so you can go straight from stovetop to oven without transferring anything.
  • If you want extra vegetables, sauté sliced mushrooms or halved cherry tomatoes with the onion for more texture and flavor.
  • For a little brightness at the end, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the finished dish just before serving.
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