Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi with Spinach

Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi with Spinach is a comforting, flavorful recipe made in your favorite skillet. Pair soft, tender gnocchi with moist and flavorful chicken thighs all tossed together in an easy creamy sauce.

While this recipe is super filling on its own, I love to serve this with a crusty loaf of bread from the grocery store or a loaf of no-knead bread to help soak up the cream sauce.Even though there is spinach in this dish, I also like to serve it with another veggie on the side. It's great with some of the cream sauce drizzled over the top - like this roasted broccolini or roasted asparagus.

Jump to:

• Why I Love It:
• Ingredients
• Step by step instructions
• Substitutions and Variations
• Equipment
• Leftovers and Storage
• Recipe Tips
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Other Gnocchi Recipes
• Related Recipes
• Recipe
• Reviews

Why I Love It:

• Easy Cream Sauce
• Pillowy Gnocchi
• Flavorful and Tender Chicken - I love how tender chicken thighs are especially when seasoned generously with spices.

Ingredients

• Potato Gnocchi - You can find this in most grocery stores in the dry pasta aisle
• Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs - You can swap in chicken breasts as well
• Spices: Kosher Salt, Pepper, Paprika, Red Pepper Flakes
• Butter and Oil - I like to use both for the flavor from the butter but the higher heat cooking from the oil
• White or Yellow Onion
• Minced Garlic - Fresh is best, but you can use the pre-minced garlic in a jar
• All-Purpose Flour - You'll add just a couple tablespoons to make a roux that thickens the creamy sauce
• Chicken Broth - I prefer to use low-sodium chicken broth. Chicken stock can be substituted.
• Half and Half
• Fresh Baby Spinach
• Fresh Grated Parmesan Cheese

Step by step instructions

This recipe for Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi comes together easily and is the perfect time to bust out your favorite cast iron skillet. Another easy skillet recipe with both chicken and a creamy sauce is this Easy Chicken Piccata recipe.

1. Par Boil Gnocchi - Start by getting some water boiling and par-cooking the gnocchi. It will finish cooking in the sauce.
2. Brown Chicken - Dry the chicken and season well on all sides with the spices. Heat up half of the butter and the oil in a large skillet over medium heat and add the chicken. Brown the chicken on both sides and cook until fully cooked (165 degrees F). Set aside.
3. Cook Onion and Garlic - In the same skillet, add the onion and cook until softened. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes to the onion and cook for another minute or two more.
4. Make Creamy Sauce - To make the sauce, add the remaining butter then add the flour and make a roux by letting it cook while stirring for a minute. Stir in the chicken broth - scraping bits off the bottom - and let thicken before stirring in the half and half and cooking until thickens slightly.
5. Add Spinach and then Chicken - Lower the heat and stir in the spinach to to wilt then add the gnocchi. Bring it all to a simmer and cook for a couple of minutes until the gnocchi is tender.
6. Serve and Enjoy - Add the chicken back to the skillet and sprinkle with grated parmesan.

Substitutions and Variations

• Kale for the Spinach - Instead of baby spinach, you can swap in chopped fresh kale as well. Or you can omit the greens altogether, if you prefer.
• Other Cuts of Chicken - Instead of boneless, skinless chicken thighs you can swap in boneless skinless chicken breasts. Just make sure to cook them to 165 degrees F.
• Make it Spicy - You can add a little cayenne pepper to the chicken spice rub and extra red pepper flakes to the sauce to make the dish spicier.
• Pasta instead of Gnocchi - If you don't have gnocchi, you can also cook pasta separately on the side and serve alongside the creamy chicken.

Equipment

Large Skillet - I used an 11-inch enameled cast iron skillet. I recommend using an 11 or 12 inch skillet. You can use a 10-inch skillet but you may need to brown the chicken in batches.

Leftovers and Storage

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Recipe Tips

• Brown Chicken Well - Brown the chicken on all sides adds great flavor to the entire dish!
• Deglaze Pan - When you add the liquid to the skillet, make sure to scrape any bits off the bottom.
• Don't Over Cook Gnocchi - The gnocchi will continue to cook when you add it to the sauce, so only cook it slightly in the boiling water.

Frequently Asked Questions

Other Gnocchi Recipes

• Creamy Italian Sausage Gnocchi Soup - This soup recipe is made in just on pot on the stove and is ready in just 30 minutes.
• Cheesy Baked Broccoli Gnocchi - A comforting one-pan dinner! Creamy, cheesy, bubbly and comes together in about 30 minutes.
• Creamy Spicy Gnocchi - Easy enough for a weeknight but decadent enough for date night!
• Vegan Sheet Pan Gnocchi - All made on one pan for an easy weeknight meal. Roasted peppers and onions, bursting tomatoes, and tender gnocchi all tossed with some simple staple spices.

Related Recipes

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