A scrumptious Chicken Gnocchi Skillet that combines soft and pillowy gnocchi with chicken, spinach and tomatoes, all coated in a creamy garlic parmesan sauce. 

Easy weeknight dinners are my favorite, especially this chicken gnocchi skillet, which is essentially comfort food as its finest!

It’s not only made with chicken and gnocchi, but with tomatoes, spinach and parmesan cheese for a creamy, one-pan meal that’s ready in just 20 minutes! What’s not to love?! 

I love combining pasta and protein together in one dish, like in my chicken pesto pasta, my one pot gnocchi and my buffalo chicken pasta. That way, the meal is hearty, flavorful and filling all at once. 

Recipe features

• A complete 20-minute meal that’s mostly cooked in one skillet.
• Made with easy-to-find ingredients.
• Packed with flavor, and true comfort food at its finest. 

Ingredients

Gnocchi – No substitutions; this is a gnocchi recipe, after all!

Chicken – I used chicken thighs, but chicken tenders or chicken breasts would work as well. If you’re using chicken breasts, be sure to pound them to be the same thickness, and keep an eye on them as the cook time may differ.

Spices – I used garlic powder and smoked paprika (probably my two most-used spices), but if you don’t want it to be spicy at all, use regular paprika instead. Alternatively, you can simply use Italian seasoning if you prefer. 

Veggies – Onion, garlic, tomatoes, and spinach are what I used; see the “tips and tricks” section below for alternatives.

Broth – When making a chicken recipe, chicken broth is typically the way to go, though vegetable broth works in a pinch. 

Cream – I used heavy cream, but you can sub half and half or your choice of milk if you want to lighten it up.

Cheese – Parmesan cheese helps to create a creamy, cheesy sauce, so I do advise using it! I also recommend grating it yourself, as it’ll melt better and won’t clump up.

How to Make this Chicken Gnocchi Skillet

Step 1: Cook the gnocchi. Begin by cooking the gnocchi, following the instructions on the packaging. 

Step 2: Sear the chicken. While the gnocchi is cooking, heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken with salt, garlic powder and smoked paprika, then pan-sear the chicken in the skillet for 4-5 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate. 

Step 3: Sauté the vegetables. To that same skillet, add a splash of broth to scrape up the brown bits, then add the onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes. Add the tomatoes, garlic and butter and continue cooking for 3 minutes, then add the spinach and stir until it wilts. 

Step 4: Make the sauce. In a bowl or glass measuring cup, whisk the broth, cream and all purpose flour together, then pour the sauce into the skillet and bring it to a low simmer. Gradually sprinkle in the cheese, stirring until the sauce is smooth, then simmer for about 2 minutes until it thickens slightly.

Step 5: Combine. Stir the gnocchi into the sauce, tossing until it’s coated, then nestle the chicken in and simmer for 1-2 minutes. Garnish with extra cheese, salt and pepper and enjoy!

Tips and FAQs

• Using shredded chicken or store-bought rotisserie chicken is a way to speed the cook time of this recipe up even more.
• Vegetable alternatives: If you don’t want to use tomatoes and/or spinach, try using sliced mushrooms, peas, kale, green beans, broccoli, or cauliflower instead.
• Serve it with: I think this is a complete meal all on its own, but if you need a side dish to pair it with, try these Instant Pot potatoes, Instant Pot broccoli or my sun-dried tomato salad.
• Don’t own a large, deep skillet? Try using a dutch oven instead. 

Do I have to use gnocchi? 

Technically no. It is a gnocchi recipe, but if you prefer a different kind of pasta, you can use that instead.

Storage

Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. 

Freezer: I don’t recommend freezing this dish because the texture of both the gnocchi and the sauce won’t be the same when you go to reheat it. 

To reheat: Honestly, reheating the food in the microwave is probably the easiest and fastest method. The sauce will thicken as it sits, so you may need to add a splash or broth or milk beforehand.

More chicken dinners

GFGluten Free

Mushroom Chicken

Chicken Broccoli Ziti

GFGluten FreeDFDairy Free

Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken

If you made this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and star rating below. Thanks!