One-Pan Chicken and Gnocchi with a Creamy Sauce

This SIMPLE One Pan Marry Me Chicken and Gnocchi is an ideal meal for busy weeknights! Soft, fluffy gnocchi and succulent chicken cooked together in a rich creamy sun-dried tomato and parmesan sauce in only 20 minutes!

Your entire family is sure to enjoy this decadent and creamy Marry Me Chicken and Gnocchi. The most delicious one-pan recipe with airy gnocchi and juicy chicken simmered together in a creamy sun-dried tomato and parmesan sauce. The highlight of this meal is that the gnocchi absorbs all the incredible flavors, making the leftovers taste even better the following day! A warm, savory dish perfect for those hectic weeknights when you desire something quick yet of restaurant quality!

Why You’ll Appreciate this Recipe

• Quick and simple – everything cooks together in just one skillet in less than 20 minutes for a tasty, effortless weeknight dinner.
• Decadent and creamy – fluffy potato gnocchi and tender chicken simmered in a creamy sauce rich in garlic, parmesan and sun-dried tomatoes.
• All in one pan – the gnocchi cooks directly in the sauce, eliminating the need to boil it separately. Fewer dishes mean easier clean-up!
• Adaptable – change the protein, add more vegetables, or replace the gnocchi with pasta or cauliflower gnocchi to easily modify this meal to your preference.

Ingredients You’ll Require

• gnocchi – the star ingredient! Gluten-free gnocchi or cauliflower gnocchi from Trader Joe’s can also be utilized.
• chicken – I prefer shredded rotisserie chicken for its quickness and flavor, but any cooked chicken breasts or thighs will suffice, including leftovers from chicken or turkey.
• sun-dried tomatoes – you can either use dry-packed or jarred oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes.
• olive oil – for maximum flavor, I like to use the oil from the jar of sun-dried tomatoes, but any olive oil or butter works too.
• chicken broth – this forms the base of the sauce in which the gnocchi simmers, enhancing the flavor. Vegetable broth or chicken stock can also be used.
• half and half – this creates a nice and creamy sauce. Full-fat coconut milk can be used for a lighter option, or heavy cream if that’s all on hand.
• garlic – fresh chopped garlic or minced garlic from a jar is suitable.
• spinach – adds nutritional value and a splash of color.
• cheese – shredded cheese enhances the creaminess of the dish and adds flavor! I used freshly grated parmesan cheese, but you can also use shredded Asiago, pecorino romano, or gruyere.
• fresh basil – adds more flavor that complements the chicken gnocchi perfectly. Fresh thyme or oregano would work well too.
• salt + pepper – for seasoning and enhancing the flavors. You can also add red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.

How to Prepare Marry Me Chicken Gnocchi

1. Warm up your skillet. In a large skillet over medium heat, drizzle olive oil (preferably from the sun-dried tomato jar!) and sauté the sun-dried tomatoes along with 4 cloves of garlic until fragrant, around 2-3 minutes.
2. Cook the gnocchi. Add the uncooked gnocchi, separating any that are stuck, then stir in chicken broth, half and half, and season it with salt and black pepper. Cover and cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes, until the gnocchi is fluffy and fully cooked.
3. Incorporate chicken and spinach. Remove the cover and stir in the shredded chicken and spinach leaves with the tomato cream sauce, cooking for an additional 3 to 5 minutes until the spinach wilts.
4. Incorporate cheese. Top with shredded cheese and let it melt. Garnish with fresh basil and extra parmesan before enjoying.

Substitutions and Modifications

• Instead of chicken, consider using ground Italian sausage, ground chicken, or ground beef for a different flavor profile.
• To add heat, mix in some crushed red pepper flakes or chopped peppers.
• Substitute chicken broth with dry white wine for an alternative flavor. Don’t forget to pour yourself a glass!
• This recipe includes fresh baby spinach, but feel free to incorporate kale or other leafy greens or fresh herbs.
• If you prefer, use orzo or another type of pasta instead of gnocchi, but make sure to follow the specific cooking instructions on the package.
• Add extra vegetables such as chopped broccoli, asparagus, bell peppers, onions, or shallots.
• For a lighter and dairy-free option, replace half and half with full-fat canned coconut milk. Cream cheese can also provide a nice creaminess.

Serving Suggestions

• With a salad – a refreshing salad pairs perfectly with the creamy sauce in this dish. Try it with a lemon arugula salad or a healthy caesar salad.
• Crusty bread – enjoy with garlic bread, rustic Italian bread, focaccia, or breadsticks to soak up that flavorful sauce!
• Roasted vegetables – enhance your meal with a side of your favorite veggies. Roasted broccoli, asparagus, green beans, and zucchini make great choices.

Preparation and Storage

Leftovers should be kept in a sealed, airtight container in the refrigerator and can last up to 3 to 4 days. Keep in mind that the gnocchi will absorb much of the sauce overnight in the fridge, making this dish taste best when enjoyed fresh. You can add a splash of cream or chicken broth to rehydrate the sauce when reheating.

More One Pan Dishes

Hope you all relish this Marry Me Chicken and Gnocchi! If you adore it as much as we do, please leave me ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ feedback below and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram with the hashtag #eatyourselfskinny!