If there’s one recipe that always delivers pure comfort and joy with minimal fuss, it’s Creamy Chicken Gnocchi. Imagine soft potato gnocchi floating in a lusciously rich, velvety broth, speckled with tender shreds of chicken, fresh vegetables, and handfuls of greens, all blanketed in a creamy sauce and finished with plenty of Parmesan. It’s the kind of dish that feels both homestyle and special, loved by kids and grownups alike. Whether you’re craving a soul-warming dinner or planning a fun family meal, this Creamy Chicken Gnocchi promises to leave everyone reaching for seconds.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What makes Creamy Chicken Gnocchi truly shine is the harmony of its simple, carefully chosen ingredients. Each one brings something unique to the table, creating a dish with rich flavor, classic textures, and a beautiful pop of color.
- Olive oil: Brings a fruity richness that helps sauté the veggies to perfection.
- Butter: Adds traditional creaminess and helps the sauce develop its silky texture.
- Onion: Diced onion forms the flavor base, offering subtle sweetness.
- Garlic: Minced fresh garlic infuses the broth with irresistible aroma.
- Celery: Adds crunch and a gentle, savory note.
- Carrot: Brings a hint of sweetness and a lovely orange color.
- Cooked shredded chicken: Perfect for using up leftover or rotisserie chicken—fast and flavorful!
- Italian seasoning: Delivers the essence of classic Italian herbs in every bite.
- Salt: Essential for bringing all the flavors together.
- Black pepper: Adds just the right touch of warmth.
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional): For those who enjoy a subtle kick of heat.
- Chicken broth: The foundation of the sauce, infusing extra savory depth.
- Heavy cream: Creates that irresistible, velvety finish to the soup.
- Potato gnocchi: Tender, pillowy pasta that becomes the star of this dish.
- Baby spinach: Wilts gently into the soup, adding freshness and vibrant color.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Brings salty, nutty richness that ties everything together.
How to Make Creamy Chicken Gnocchi
Step 1: Sauté the Veggies
Start by heating the olive oil and butter in a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat. When the butter’s melted and bubbling, toss in the diced onion, celery, and carrot. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the veggies turn soft and fragrant. This creates the sweet, savory base that makes the whole dish taste like it’s been simmering for hours.
Step 2: Add Garlic and Seasonings
Next, stir in the minced garlic, letting it cook for just one minute—long enough to release all that mesmerizing aroma, but not so long that it turns bitter. Sprinkle in the shredded chicken, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like things spicy. Give it all a good toss so every bite of chicken is infused with savory spices.
Step 3: Pour in Broth and Simmer
Gently pour in the chicken broth and raise the heat to bring it all to a simmer. Watch as the kitchen fills with the scent of comfort food! Let it bubble away for a minute or two to blend the flavors together before moving on.
Step 4: Add Cream and Gnocchi
Lower the heat just a bit, then pour in the heavy cream, stirring as the sauce starts to look dreamily velvety. Now, add the potato gnocchi right into the pot. The gnocchi only needs about 3–4 minutes to cook—once it rises to the top, you know it’s done and irresistibly tender.
Step 5: Finish with Spinach and Parmesan
With the heat on low, pile in the baby spinach and scatter the grated Parmesan cheese over the top. Stir gently until the greens wilt and the soup thickens even more. Give it a final taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. You’ve officially mastered Creamy Chicken Gnocchi—now it’s time to serve it steamy and fresh!
How to Serve Creamy Chicken Gnocchi
Garnishes
Top each bowl with a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan, a dash of black pepper, or a scatter of chopped fresh parsley. If you’d like to turn up the heat, an extra pinch of red pepper flakes works wonders. These finishing touches make Creamy Chicken Gnocchi look as beautiful as it tastes.
Side Dishes
Think cozy Italian-inspired sides: warm garlic bread to mop up every bit of sauce, a crisp Caesar salad, or even roasted asparagus. Each one pairs perfectly, rounding out your meal without stealing the spotlight from the Creamy Chicken Gnocchi.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, ladle the gnocchi into hollowed-out bread bowls for a rustic, bistro-style presentation, or serve in mini Dutch ovens for an individual touch at dinner parties. Creamy Chicken Gnocchi always looks inviting in big family-style serving bowls, too—just add a ladle and let everyone help themselves.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Creamy Chicken Gnocchi in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. As it sits, the sauce may thicken a bit, but a splash of extra broth or cream when reheating brings it right back to life.
Freezing
If you want to freeze, let the gnocchi cool completely then transfer to a freezer-safe container. It freezes well for up to two months. Just be aware that the texture of gnocchi can soften a bit after thawing, but the flavor will still comfort you on busy days.
Reheating
For best results, reheat Creamy Chicken Gnocchi gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a dash of milk or broth to loosen the sauce. Microwave reheating works in a pinch; just cover loosely and stir halfway through for even warming. Bring it just to steaming—avoid boiling, as this can make the dairy separate.
FAQs
Can I use uncooked chicken instead of cooked?
Absolutely! Just dice raw chicken and sauté until cooked through right after softening the vegetables. Remove it before continuing, then add it back in with the broth and cream later in the process.
What’s the best type Main Course
Packaged potato gnocchi works perfectly for this recipe. If you’re feeling adventurous, homemade gnocchi is a lovely upgrade and holds up beautifully in the creamy sauce.
Can I make this dish gluten-free?
Yes! Simply use gluten-free potato gnocchi, which is available at most grocery stores, and double-check that all other ingredients are gluten-free. The rest of the recipe remains exactly the same.
Will half-and-half work instead of heavy cream?
Definitely! Half-and-half will yield a lighter, slightly less rich soup. The sauce won’t be quite as thick or velvety, but it will still taste wonderful and creamy.
How do I add more vegetables?
Mushrooms, peas, or even diced zucchini are all delicious additions. Sauté them with the onion and carrot at the start or stir in tender greens along with the spinach at the end for an extra pop of nutrition.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so satisfying about whipping up a pot of Creamy Chicken Gnocchi—it brings a taste of homemade happiness to any night of the week. Whether you’re cooking for friends, family, or just yourself, this creamy, comforting classic is sure to become a regular craving. Give it a try and let that first spoonful work its cozy magic!
Print
Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Creamy Chicken Gnocchi is a comforting and hearty one-pot meal that combines tender potato gnocchi with shredded chicken, spinach, and a creamy Parmesan broth. Perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner!
Ingredients
For the Creamy Chicken Gnocchi:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 stalk celery (diced)
- 1 medium carrot (peeled and diced)
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 package (16 oz) potato gnocchi
- 2 cups baby spinach
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Saute Aromatics: In a large pot or deep skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, and carrot and cook for 5–6 minutes, until softened.
- Add Chicken and Seasonings: Stir in garlic, then add the shredded chicken, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir to combine.
- Cook Gnocchi: Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Stir in the heavy cream and add the gnocchi. Cook for 3–4 minutes until the gnocchi float to the top and are tender.
- Finish Soup: Reduce heat, stir in the spinach and Parmesan cheese. Let simmer for 1–2 minutes until spinach is wilted and the soup is creamy and thickened. Adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve: Garnish with extra Parmesan or parsley and serve hot.
Notes
- Rotisserie chicken works great for this recipe.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for the cream.
- You can also add mushrooms or peas for extra texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
