Who doesn't love a recipe that is no-fuss, super quick and easy, and has just 5 ingredients?
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🗝️ Key takeaways
- This chicken gnocchi is a one-pot meal that's truly minimal in terms of effort and cleanup.
- This complete, hearty dinner is done in under 30 minutes so it's fabulous for busy weeknights.
- Always check chicken with an instant-read thermometer to make sure that the internal temperature is 165F.
If it's your first time making a creamy chicken gnocchi recipe, you're about to become hooked on it!
Despite being the ultimate comfort food, it's super easy to prep, make, and—of course—eat. (Everyone always wants a second helping!)
When you're in the mood for Italian food try this easy ricotta chicken bake.
🧾 Ingredients
This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
📖 Variations
This easy recipe is great as is, but there are a few ways to change it up if you're in the mood for something different!
- You can use any kind of cooked chicken you prefer. I like Rotisserie chicken because it's easy and cheap, but you can use juicy chicken thighs, pre-shredded chicken, or even frozen grilled chicken.
- Either ground sausage or shrimp makes a delicious substitution if you're tired of poultry or don't have time to go to the local grocery store.
- Out of baby spinach? No problem! Kale, arugula, and Swiss chard are delicious in this creamy dish, too. (Heavier greens like kale may take 1-2 minutes extra cooking time to wilt and soften.)
- Feel free to swap the fresh spinach with frozen. Just be sure to thaw and drain it well before stirring it in.
- Stir extra veggies into your one-pot gnocchi. Try some baby Bella mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, or a few minced garlic cloves.
- Some alfredo sauces are more flavorful than others. Feel free to add some Italian seasoning if you feel yours needs a bit of herbs.
- If you're feeling fancy, a splash of lemon juice or white wine really brightens the flavor. (And, now you have a reason to enjoy some wine!)
- Don't forget a pinch of red pepper flakes or some fresh cracked black pepper for serving. Oh—and extra parmesan cheese, of course!
🔪 Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Add chicken and gnocchi to skillet.
- Stir in the Alfredo sauce and simmer.
- Add spinach and heat until it's wilted.
- Remove from heat, sprinkle with Parmesan, and serve.
🥫 Storage
One-pan creamy chicken gnocchi tastes best the same day that it's made—thankfully, doing so is easy! However, if you happen to have some leftovers, you can store them for a bit.
Spoon any extras into an airtight container and refrigerate for a day or two at the most.
After storing, the gnocchi become a little mushier and the sauce tends to change texture, too.
Reheat in the microwave or over the stovetop on low to medium heat. With either method, be sure to heat slowly, stirring often.
You can add more heavy cream or some chicken broth if it's too thick.
This creamy gnocchi freezes well for up to 3 months. Put it in resealable bags or in an airtight container.
💭 Things to know
Expert Tip: Store spinach in an airtight container, and don't put it near any bananas or apples you may have in the fridge. This will help it stay fresh until you're ready to use it up.
- If you're cooking in a large skillet that doesn't have a lid, place a sheet pan or cookie sheet on top. Usually, they're big enough to do the trick!
- If you're cooking the chicken yourself, remember that the internal temperature must reach 165 degrees F on a meat thermometer before adding it to the rest of the ingredients. The cook time for this comforting meal isn't long enough to cook the chicken properly.
- Read the package instructions for the gnocchi carefully, and try to find the fresh kind that you can boil.
- Not all store-bought gnocchi is made the same. I prefer fresh, but you can also use a shelf-stable type. Frozen gnocchi doesn't work as well in this recipe because of how you need to cook it. It gets mushy.
- If you prefer a crisp texture over soft, pillowy gnocchi, sear it separately in another pan until golden brown. Use butter for extra flavor!
- Don't be afraid to slightly undercooked the gnocchi—think al dente. It'll continue to soften just a bit as it sits to wilt the spinach.
👩🍳 FAQs
Gnocchi looks like little dumplings. The not-technically-a-pasta dough is made of flour, eggs, and potatoes. If only the pillowy potato gnocchi was larger, I'd sleep on it—it's so soft!
Sure thing! However, cauliflower gnocchi cooks a little differently than potato gnocchi, so proceed with caution. Watch the gnocchi carefully and taste test more often.
No, ma'am! I told you this recipe was easy, didn't I? Simply follow the directions closely and dinner will be ready in no time.
Unfortunately, this dish doesn't freeze well. Fortunately, you don't really have to freeze it because it's so easy to make in different portion sizes!
📚 Related recipes
- With little pockets of pasta just bursting with cheesy flavor, One Pan Chicken Tortellini Alfredo is as easy as it is tasty. You'll crave it!
- My family loves Slow Cooker Sausage and Potatoes because it's hearty and comforting. I love it because it's simple and affordable!
- Southern Smothered Chicken and Gravy is cooked in one pan for easy clean-up and loads of flavor. Serve with rice or some rolls for scooping!
- What's better than tender chicken, flavorful Alfredo, and ravioli? 15-Minute Chicken Alfredo Ravioli, of course. It's so quick to make!
🍽️ Serve with...
This is such an easy dinner, you could just stop by the store and pick up a baguette and a salad.
If you have a little more time then this Italian Green Bean Salad adds a nice crisp element to dinner. It stays fresh for days so you can make it ahead of time.
We love homemade garlic knots! They are so soft and fluffy - plus, you'll want 'em to scoop up all the yummy Alfredo sauce!
Something sweet? Sure thing! This two-Ingredient fudge tastes classic and comforting but takes just a handful of minutes to make.
📞 The last word
I love one-pot meals! They're generally quick, easy, and there's almost no dishes to argue over... I mean clean up. 🤣
Another one of our favorite meals, crockpot angel chicken, is even easier - just toss everything in the slow cooker. Give it a try next time.
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Recipe
One Pot Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi
Print Pin Recipe SaveEquipment Needed
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds chicken, cooked & shredded - I used Rotisserie chicken from the deli.
- 2 pounds potato gnocchi, fresh if possible - in the refrigerated section.
- 30 ounces Alfredo sauce, have an extra jar on hand in case you want more sauce.
- ¼ cup water
- 2 cups baby spinach
- ¼ cup Parmesan
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Instructions
- Add the chicken and the gnocchi to a large, high sided skillet.
- Add the Alfredo sauce, rinsing the jars with ¼ cup water, pouring the water from rinsing the first jar into the second empty jar, then pouring it into the skillet. This gets ALL the sauce plus adds a little extra moisture for the gnocchi. Be sure to use ¼ cup TOTAL.
- Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Cover, and let simmer for 5 -10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Check the gnocchi to see if it's tender. If not cover and simmer a few more minutes.
- Stir in the spinach and remove the skillet from the heat.
- Let sit for 5 minutes.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan and serve.
Notes
- Store spinach in an airtight container, and don't put it near any bananas or apples you may have in the fridge. This will help it stay fresh until you're ready to use it up.
- If you're cooking in a large skillet that doesn't have a lid, place a sheet pan or cookie sheet on top. Usually, they're big enough to do the trick!
- If you're cooking the chicken yourself, remember that the internal temperature must reach 165 degrees F on a meat thermometer before adding it to the rest of the ingredients. The cook time for this comforting meal isn't long enough to cook the chicken properly.
- Read the package instructions for the gnocchi carefully, and try to find the fresh kind that you can boil.
- Not all store-bought gnocchi is made the same. I prefer fresh, but you can also use a shelf-stable type. Frozen gnocchi doesn't work as well in this recipe because of how you need to cook it. It gets mushy.
- If you prefer a crisp texture over soft, pillowy gnocchi, sear it separately in another pan until golden brown. Use butter for extra flavor!
- Don't be afraid to slightly undercooked the gnocchi—think al dente. It'll continue to soften just a bit as it sits to wilt the spinach.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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We'll never share your email or send you spam. Pinkie swear.First published May 28, 2023. Last updated September 6, 2023, for editorial improvements.
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