Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Skillet

Featured in: Main Dishes

This easy one-pan dinner combines flavorful chicken thighs, gnocchi, and veggies in a creamy garlic sauce. Ready in 30 minutes and gluten-free-friendly.
Twistytaste.com
Updated on Tue, 29 Apr 2025 19:49:51 GMT
A pan of creamy chicken thighs with gnocchi, spinach, and mushrooms topped with cheese. Pin it
A pan of creamy chicken thighs with gnocchi, spinach, and mushrooms topped with cheese. | twistytaste.com

One-pan Chicken Thigh Gnocchi Skillet brings together succulent chicken, soft potato dumplings, and crisp veggies all wrapped in a rich, garlicky sauce. It's a hassle-free dinner option that's ready in no time, packed with cozy flavors your whole family will go crazy for.

Soul-Warming Comfort Food

I stumbled upon this dish when life got super hectic and now we can't get enough of it for weeknight dinners. There's something wonderful about how the fluffy gnocchi drinks up that garlicky cream while the chicken stays moist and tasty. And the bonus? Just one pan to wash afterward, which is always something to celebrate in my home.

Your Ingredients

  • Boneless Chicken Thighs: 1.5 pounds, rubbed with paprika, salt, and pepper. You can try bone-in thighs for deeper flavor but they'll need more time to cook.
  • Gnocchi: 1.5 pounds, cooked as the packaging says. Pick gluten-free ones if you want.
  • Butter: 4 tablespoons, split between cooking meat and making your sauce.
  • Chicken Broth: 1 cup, forming the foundation of your creamy sauce.
  • Half and Half: 1 cup, stirred into the sauce for that smooth, creamy finish.
  • Shredded Mozzarella: 1 cup, melted through the sauce for extra creaminess.
  • Vegetables: 1 yellow onion (chopped), 1 cup white mushrooms (chopped), and 2 cups fresh spinach to boost nutrition and taste.
  • Seasonings: Paprika, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to create a balanced flavor profile.

Cooking Steps

Prepare the Gnocchi
Cook gnocchi in water with salt following the package directions. Drain them and put aside while getting everything else ready.
Brown the Chicken
Rub chicken thighs with paprika, salt, and pepper. Warm 2 tablespoons of butter in a big skillet over medium-high heat. Fry chicken for 5-10 minutes on each side until golden, then move to a plate.
Cook the Veggies
Drop remaining butter in the pan, scraping those tasty bits off the bottom. Throw in garlic, onions, mushrooms, and Italian seasoning. Cook for 3-4 minutes until onions look clear and mushrooms get soft.
Create the Sauce
Stir in chicken broth and let it warm up for 1 minute. Slowly pour in half and half, stirring all the time. Mix in shredded mozzarella until it melts and your sauce gets thicker.
Mix and Warm
Toss in cooked gnocchi and spinach to the sauce. Give it a taste and add salt and pepper if needed. Place chicken thighs back into the pan, making sure sauce surrounds them. Let it bubble gently until chicken warms through.

Tips for Success

I've made this meal so many times now and picked up some good tips along the way. Don't rush past browning the chicken as it builds incredible taste that spreads throughout the dish. Those stuck-on bits in the pan after cooking meat are treasure they pump up the sauce flavor big time. And always taste before serving because sometimes a bit more salt or pepper can really wake everything up.

Storing Leftovers

This meal tastes great the day after too. I put any extras in a sealed container in the fridge and when I warm it up I add a little water or broth to bring the sauce back to life. It tastes just as good the next day and makes for an awesome lunch or another snug dinner option.

A bowl of gnocchi topped with sautéed chicken, spinach, and mushrooms, garnished with grated cheese. Pin it
A bowl of gnocchi topped with sautéed chicken, spinach, and mushrooms, garnished with grated cheese. | twistytaste.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How can I make this gluten-free?
Just swap in gluten-free gnocchi and double-check that all other ingredients are gluten-free as well. Everything else stays the same.
→ Why is chicken thighs used?
Thighs stay juicy and flavorful. They’re also more forgiving if you accidentally cook them a little longer.
→ Can I use something else instead of cream?
You can pick between heavy cream for a richer texture or half and half for a lighter version. Both work well in this dish.
→ Does it work for meal prep?
Absolutely! It reheats beautifully and comes with protein, veggies, and carbs all in one meal.
→ Can I change up the vegetables?
Yes, swap out the mushrooms, spinach, or onions with other veggies you like. It’s a flexible recipe.

Chicken Gnocchi Skillet

An easy dinner with tender chicken thighs, pillowy gnocchi, and veggies in a creamy garlic sauce. Quick to prepare and gluten-free adaptable.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
25 Minutes
Total Time
40 Minutes

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 4 Servings (Makes 4 servings)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 1 pack of potato gnocchi (16 oz).
02 1 and a half pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
03 1.5 tsp of smoked paprika.
04 5 tbsp of butter or use ghee instead.
05 Dice 1 medium yellow onion.
06 Dice 1 cup of white mushrooms.
07 2 tbsp of finely minced garlic.
08 1 teaspoon of Italian herb blend.
09 1 cup of chicken stock.
10 Half a cup of heavy cream or half and half.
11 ½ cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.
12 3 handfuls of fresh spinach leaves.
13 Optional: chopped parsley, parmesan cheese, and chili flakes for topping.

Instructions

Step 01

Rub chicken with some paprika, salt, and pepper. Brown in 2 tablespoons of butter for 5-10 minutes per side until golden.

Step 02

In the same pan, melt the rest of the butter. Toss in garlic, onions, mushrooms, and herbs. Cook until everything softens up nicely.

Step 03

Pour in the broth and slowly stir in mozzarella and cream until the mixture thickens a bit.

Step 04

Mix the cooked gnocchi and spinach with the sauce. Put the chicken back into the pan. Let it simmer a minute or two. Top with garnishes before serving.

Notes

  1. Easy to adapt for gluten-free diets.
  2. Works great for prepping meals ahead of time.
  3. Done and ready in under half an hour!

Tools You'll Need

  • Large frying pan.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (cream, mozzarella, butter).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: ~
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: ~
  • Protein: ~