Description
Cozy one-pan meal with pillowy gnocchi, tender chicken, and fresh spinach in a creamy garlic sauce, enhanced by sautéed mushrooms and melted mozzarella. Rich Italian bistro flavors ready in 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb potato gnocchi, cooked and drained
- 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (4–6 pieces)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1½ tsp paprika
- 5 tbsp butter or ghee
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 cup white mushrooms, diced
- 2 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ½ cup half-and-half (or heavy cream)
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella
- 3 cups fresh spinach
- Red pepper flakes, Parmesan, and parsley, for serving
Instructions
- Season chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika. Melt 2 tbsp butter in large skillet over medium heat. Sear chicken 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (165°F / 74°C). Rest 5 minutes, then chop bite-size.
- In same skillet, melt 1 tbsp butter. Cook onion 2 minutes until soft. Add mushrooms, cook 3 minutes until browned. Stir in garlic and Italian seasoning, cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add chicken broth and half-and-half, scraping browned bits. Simmer gently. Stir in mozzarella until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add cooked gnocchi, spinach, and chopped chicken. Toss to coat and wilt spinach. Simmer 2–3 minutes to thicken sauce.
- Remove from heat. Garnish with red pepper flakes, Parmesan, and parsley. Serve hot from the pan.
Notes
Pan-sear cooked gnocchi in butter before adding for extra texture.
Chicken breasts can be used instead; avoid overcooking.
Adjust salt cautiously; cheese adds natural saltiness.
Heavy cream creates a richer sauce.
Store leftovers up to 3 days; reheat with broth splash.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 31g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 41g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 160mg
Keywords: garlic chicken gnocchi, creamy gnocchi skillet, one pan chicken dinner, spinach mushroom gnocchi, easy chicken pasta alternative