If you’re looking for a weeknight dinner that’s quick, comforting, and downright irresistible, this Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet is about to become your new go to. In just 30 minutes, you get tender, juicy chicken, pillowy-soft gnocchi, and a creamy garlic Parmesan sauce that’s loaded with flavor.
It’s the kind of dish that feels restaurant worthy but comes together with simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. The gnocchi cooks right in the skillet, soaking up all the savory chicken broth and garlic goodness. And that final touch of Parmesan? It melts into the sauce, making it velvety and rich.
Serve it as-is for a cozy dinner, or pair it with a crisp green salad and some crusty bread to mop up every last drop of that heavenly sauce.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy – 30 minutes from start to finish.
- One Pan Wonder – Less cleanup, more flavor.
- Garlicky Goodness – Six cloves of garlic for bold, savory taste.
- Family Friendly – Creamy, cheesy, and satisfying for all ages.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 lb potato gnocchi
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
- Salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Step by Step Instructions
1Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add chicken pieces, season with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs. Cook for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
2Sauté the Garlic: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Be careful not to burn it; burnt garlic turns bitter fast.
3Deglaze the Pan: Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan. Those bits are packed with flavor and will make your sauce richer.
4Cook the Gnocchi: Add gnocchi to the skillet, bring to a simmer, and cook for 3–4 minutes until tender, stirring occasionally.
5Make It Creamy: Reduce heat to medium-low. Pour in heavy cream and stir to combine. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until the sauce starts to thicken.
6Finish with Parmesan: Return cooked chicken to the skillet and stir in Parmesan cheese until melted. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper, if needed.
7Serve & Enjoy: Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve warm. This dish pairs beautifully with a side salad and garlic bread.
Pro Tip: You can swap the chicken for Italian sausage, shrimp, or even roasted vegetables for a different twist on this creamy skillet dinner.
Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 lb potato gnocchi
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
Cook the Chicken
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken pieces and season with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs.
- Cook for 6–8 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
Sauté the Garlic
- In the same skillet, add minced garlic.
- Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Deglaze the Pan
- Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet for extra flavor.
Cook the Gnocchi
- Add gnocchi to the skillet and bring to a simmer.
- Cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until gnocchi starts to become tender.
Make It Creamy
- Reduce heat to medium-low and pour in heavy cream.
- Stir gently to combine and simmer for 2–3 minutes until sauce starts to thicken.
Finish with Parmesan
- Return cooked chicken to the skillet.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and sauce is creamy.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
Serve
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves.
- Serve warm with salad or crusty bread.
Notes
- Swap chicken for Italian sausage, shrimp, or roasted vegetables for a twist.
- For a thicker sauce, simmer for an extra minute before serving.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of cream or milk.
