Creamy Tuscan Gnocchi with Chicken Recipe
Creamy Tuscan Gnocchi with Chicken is a rich and velvety one-pan dish featuring tender chicken breast strips simmered in a garlic-parmesan cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach. The pillowy potato gnocchi cook directly in the sauce, absorbing deep flavors for a decadent yet comforting meal perfect for a cozy dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Tuscan, Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 chicken breasts, sliced into thin strips
- ¾ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Sauce & Gnocchi
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and sliced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 lb (16 oz) potato gnocchi (fresh or shelf-stable)
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the chicken: Season the chicken strips with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, then add the chicken strips. Sear for 3–4 minutes, until they are lightly browned but not fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Build the Tuscan sauce: Reduce heat to medium. Add butter and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the sliced sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 1 minute. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, then stir in the grated parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth. Add red pepper flakes here if you desire a bit of heat.
- Add the gnocchi: Stir the potato gnocchi directly into the sauce without pre-boiling. Simmer for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gnocchi are soft and the sauce has thickened to a creamy consistency.
- Finish the dish: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet along with the fresh spinach. Allow the spinach to wilt for about 1 minute. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning as needed with additional salt or pepper. Remove from heat; the sauce will thicken further as it cools slightly. Serve immediately for best results.
Notes
- The starch from the gnocchi thickens the sauce quickly; add additional chicken broth or cream if the sauce becomes too thick.
- Use freshly grated parmesan cheese for the smoothest melting and richest flavor.
- Refrigerate leftovers for up to 2 days; reheat gently over low heat with a splash of cream or broth to maintain creaminess.
- Avoid reheating for long periods in the microwave, as gnocchi can turn gummy.
- For an extra rich finish, consider whisking in 1 tablespoon of butter right before serving.