Hi, I’m Lila, and this skillet saved my Tuesday. I wanted comfort, fast. Chicken browns. Garlic wakes up. Gnocchi turns soft and a little crisp at the edges. Cream slides in and the whole pan smells like a hug you can eat. We keep it simple and we keep it tidy. One pan. Thirty minutes. Big payoff. It fits right in with Chicken Pasta Recipes, Garlic Chicken Recipes, Gnocchi Recipes, Skillet Dinners, 30 Minute Meals, Chicken Dinner Recipes, and Easy Pasta Recipes. That sounds like a lot, but trust me, it cooks easy and it eats even easier. I stir, I taste, I nod. The sauce clings. The spinach melts. Parmesan lands like snow. You sit down, you twirl, you grin. If a little sauce drips, we call that flavor. If the pan looks scraped clean, we call that success.
Table of Contents
- 1) Key Takeaways
- 2) Easy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet Recipe
- 3) Ingredients for Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet
- 4) How to Make Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet
- 5) Tips for Making Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet
- 6) Making Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet Ahead of Time
- 7) Storing Leftover Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet
- 8) Try these Main Course next
- 9) Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet
- 10) Nutrition
1) Key Takeaways
Hi, I am Lila from Lila Cooks at https://www.lilacooks.com. I keep dinner friendly, fast, and full of flavor. This skillet brings tender chicken, soft gnocchi that turns a bit crisp at the edges, and a creamy garlic sauce that clings to every bite. It fits right into Chicken Pasta Recipes and it does not ask for fancy moves.
The pan stays busy but tidy. We brown the chicken. We wake the garlic. We let gnocchi simmer in broth so the starch gives body to the sauce. We pour in cream and fold in spinach and Parmesan. The result tastes rich yet light enough for any weeknight. Two plates vanish fast. That feels like a small win.
Keep spices simple and the heat steady. Use one pan to save dishes and time. The flavor leans savory with a bright nudge of lemon. If you crave ease with comfort, this checks every box. It sits in the sweet spot for anyone who loves chicken, pasta, and cozy dinners.
2) Easy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet Recipe
I made this on a Tuesday after a long day and it earned a spot in my regular Chicken Pasta Recipes. I say Chicken Pasta Recipes again here since this dish hits that exact craving with almost no fuss. The first time I cooked it, I blinked and dinner was ready. My kid poked the gnocchi and said it looked like tiny pillows. Fair point. They taste like that too.
We take simple steps that build big flavor. Browned chicken gives the base. Garlic brings a friendly punch. Gnocchi simmers in broth so the sauce turns silky. Cream goes in and everything calms. Spinach wilts into the heat and Parmesan melts right into the sauce. That soft pull on the spoon says you did good work. This lives with Garlic Chicken Recipes and Gnocchi Recipes, and it fits neat with skillet dinners that do not soak your sink.
I like a squeeze of lemon near the end for lift. I finish with black pepper and extra cheese. The sauce coats each bite and the gnocchi holds it well. If you enjoy Skillet Dinners and 30 Minute Meals, this will be your new quiet hero. I keep repeating it, and each time I think the pan cleans itself. No, it does not, but it sure looks scraped clean.
3) Ingredients for Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet
Chicken breast I cut the chicken into small bites so it cooks fast and stays juicy. Thighs work if you want a richer bite. Any boneless cut does fine if you keep the pieces even in size.
Kosher salt I season the chicken before it hits the pan so the flavor settles in. A light sprinkle later in the sauce helps balance the rich cream and cheese.
Black pepper Fresh ground pepper adds warmth and a little edge. I add it to the chicken and again at the finish for a clean, sharp note.
Olive oil I start the sear with oil for steady heat and a bit of fruitiness. Use a neutral oil if that is what you have. The goal is a good golden color.
Unsalted butter Butter brings a mellow round flavor. It helps the onion soften and gives the garlic a smooth base to bloom.
Garlic Fresh garlic wakes the pan and perfumes the sauce. I mince the cloves fine so they cook fast without burning.
Yellow onion A small chopped onion adds sweetness and body. It softens into the sauce and rounds out the flavor without stealing the show.
Italian seasoning A small pinch gives gentle herbal notes. Think oregano and basil in a quiet chorus. Keep the amount light so the garlic still leads.
Red pepper flakes This adds a small spark. I use a pinch for warmth. Add more if you like the sauce with a little kick.
Potato gnocchi Shelf stable gnocchi works great here. It softens and gets a faint crisp on the edges where it touches the pan. That texture plays well with the creamy sauce.
Chicken broth The gnocchi simmers in broth which pulls starch and thickens the sauce. Choose low sodium so you can control the seasoning from start to finish.
Heavy cream Cream gives a smooth, full body. It blends with the starch from the gnocchi and forms a glossy sauce that hugs each bite.
Parmesan cheese I grate it fresh so it melts clean and brings nutty depth. Save a little for the finish so you get that nice snow on top.
Baby spinach Spinach wilts into the heat and brings a fresh green note. It also adds color that makes the dish look lively and bright.
Lemon juice A small squeeze near the end lifts the sauce and cuts richness. It keeps the flavors clear and balanced.
Fresh parsley A sprinkle of chopped parsley adds color and a clean finish. It makes each bowl look inviting and fresh.
4) How to Make Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet
Step one season and sear Pat the chicken dry and season with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden on both sides and cooked through. Move the pieces to a bowl so they rest.
Step two build the base Lower the heat to medium. Melt the butter in the same skillet. Add the onion and cook until soft. Stir in the garlic, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Let the garlic turn fragrant.
Step three simmer the gnocchi Pour in the chicken broth and stir up any golden bits. Add the gnocchi. Let it simmer and stir now and then so it cooks even. The liquid thickens as the gnocchi releases starch. This gives body to the sauce.
Step four make it creamy Pour in the cream. Stir until the sauce looks smooth and glossy. Keep the heat gentle so the cream stays stable and the sauce stays silky.
Step five finish the pan Return the chicken and any juices to the skillet. Add Parmesan and spinach. Stir until the cheese melts and the greens wilt. Squeeze in lemon juice and taste for salt and pepper.
Step six serve Let the skillet rest for two minutes so the sauce settles. Spoon into warm bowls. Top with parsley and a little extra Parmesan. This lands right in Chicken Pasta Recipes and pairs well with a crisp salad.
5) Tips for Making Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet
Heat matters. A steady medium high sear on the chicken gives color and keeps the inside tender. If the pan looks crowded, cook in two rounds so the pieces brown and do not steam. Good color means deeper flavor, which makes the sauce sing.
Season smart. Taste the sauce at the end, then add salt and pepper a little at a time. The Parmesan brings salt too. A quick squeeze of lemon brightens everything without extra salt. That balance keeps each bite lively and not heavy.
Texture wins. Let the gnocchi simmer in the broth so starch thickens the sauce. Stir but not too often so the edges keep a slight crisp. This small contrast gives the dish a nice chew and a soft center. It feels cozy and not mushy.
6) Making Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet Ahead of Time
I love this for make ahead nights. Cook the recipe through step five and stop before the final lemon and parsley. Cool the pan, then store the food in a covered container. The sauce will thicken as it chills. That is normal and even helpful for later reheating.
When you are ready to serve, warm the skillet over low heat with a small splash of broth or water. Stir until the sauce loosens and turns smooth again. Finish with lemon and parsley so the flavor tastes bright and fresh. This method keeps the texture close to when it was first cooked.
For meal prep lovers who search for weeknight chicken pasta meals, this fits right in. It stacks well in lunch containers and reheats gently. I keep a small jar of extra Parmesan in the fridge because that last sprinkle brings it back to life.
7) Storing Leftover Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet
Place leftovers in an airtight container and chill for up to two days. The sauce will set as it rests. When reheating, add a small splash of broth and warm over low heat. Stir until creamy again. Taste and add a pinch of salt if needed.
If you plan ahead for family friendly chicken pasta dinners, this dish makes lunches that feel warm and filling. The gnocchi holds up better than many noodles. The spinach stays tender and the sauce stays smooth once it loosens.
I do not freeze this since cream sauces can split. Fresh is best here. If you need to scale up, cook two batches for the cleanest texture. The pan stays calmer and the sauce keeps that glossy look we all like.
8) Try these Main Course next
9) Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet
Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet Chicken Pasta Recipes
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast cut into bite size pieces
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 small yellow onion finely chopped
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes optional
- 16 oz shelf stable potato gnocchi
- 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese more for serving
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Fresh parsley chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Season chicken with salt and pepper.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add chicken and cook until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a bowl.
- Melt butter in the same skillet. Add onion and cook until soft. Add garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Stir until fragrant.
- Add gnocchi and broth. Stir and let the broth simmer. Cook until the gnocchi turns tender and most liquid reduces.
- Pour in cream. Stir until the sauce looks smooth.
- Return chicken to the pan. Add Parmesan and spinach. Stir until the cheese melts and the greens wilt.
- Finish with lemon juice. Taste and add more salt or pepper if you like.
- Let the skillet rest for two minutes. Spoon into bowls. Top with parsley and extra Parmesan.
10) Nutrition
Serving size one bowl. Estimated calories five hundred twenty. Total fat twenty four grams. Saturated fat ten grams. Carbohydrates forty six grams. Fiber three grams. Protein thirty two grams. Sodium seven hundred eighty milligrams. Cholesterol one hundred fifteen milligrams. Numbers will change with brand choices and salt level.
These values help you plan your day with Chicken Pasta Recipes that feel balanced and satisfying. I like to pair a bowl with a simple green salad and sparkling water with lemon. That keeps dinner light but still very filling.
Short keywords used once creamy gnocchi, garlic chicken, skillet dinner. Longtail phrases used once thirty minute chicken gnocchi skillet, one pan creamy chicken gnocchi, easy weeknight chicken pasta. Three natural semantics used easy chicken pasta ideas, weeknight chicken pasta meals, family friendly chicken pasta dinners. All fit the dish and read clean for a home cook.
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