Description
Creamy Crack Chicken Gnocchi is a comforting and indulgent one-pan dish featuring tender chicken, pillowy gnocchi, fresh spinach, and a rich creamy sauce made with cream cheese and cheddar. Enhanced with crispy bacon and flavorful seasonings, this recipe offers a quick and delicious meal perfect for busy weeknights or cozy dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb), chopped into bite-sized pieces
Pasta
- 16 oz fresh or frozen gnocchi
Dairy
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Liquids
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Vegetables
- 4 cups fresh spinach
Seasonings and Toppings
- ½ cup crispy bacon bits
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Chop the boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and easy eating.
- Cook Chicken: Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped chicken pieces and cook until they turn golden brown and are cooked through, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Stir occasionally for even browning.
- Create Creamy Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the cream cheese and low-sodium chicken broth to the skillet. Stir continuously until the cream cheese melts completely and forms a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Add Gnocchi and Spinach: Toss the fresh or frozen gnocchi and fresh spinach into the skillet. Cover the pan and allow the ingredients to simmer for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the gnocchi are tender and the spinach has wilted.
- Finish with Cheese and Bacon: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and crispy bacon bits into the skillet. Continue stirring until the cheese melts fully and the bacon is warmed through, creating a rich, flavorful dish.
- Serve: Serve the creamy crack chicken gnocchi hot in bowls. Optional: Garnish with extra shredded cheddar cheese or freshly ground black pepper as desired.
Notes
- If using frozen gnocchi, no need to thaw before cooking; just add directly to the skillet.
- You can substitute baby kale or arugula for spinach for a different flavor profile.
- For extra crisp bacon, cook it separately and add on top for garnish.
- The dish can be made in advance and reheated gently; add a splash of broth if sauce thickens too much.
- Adjust salt and pepper according to your taste since bacon and cheese add saltiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Course
- Method: Skillet Sauté and Simmer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: Creamy Crack Chicken, Gnocchi recipe, Chicken with gnocchi, Cream cheese gnocchi, Easy weeknight dinner, Bacon chicken gnocchi
