Description
Succulent garlic chicken and gnocchi merge Italian comfort with rich, velvety sauce in this irresistible one-pan wonder. Hearty flavors and creamy textures will transport home cooks straight to a rustic kitchen in Tuscany, where you’ll savor each indulgent bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 12 ounces (340 grams) potato gnocchi
- 2 cups baby spinach
Seasonings and Spices:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Cooking Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare chicken by generously coating with aromatic seasonings, ensuring even coverage for maximum flavor infusion.
- Create a sizzling foundation in a heavy-bottomed skillet, heating olive oil to medium-high temperature for perfect golden-brown chicken skin, approximately 5 minutes per side.
- Remove crispy chicken pieces, leaving behind flavorful drippings for sauce development.
- Reduce skillet heat and introduce butter, allowing it to melt and create a luxurious base for garlic and mushrooms to release their enticing aromas.
- Pour cream and chicken broth into the skillet, incorporating herbs and subtle spice elements to build a rich, velvety sauce.
- Incorporate Parmesan cheese, stirring until smoothly integrated and sauce reaches a gentle simmer.
- Gently introduce gnocchi directly into the simmering sauce, allowing them to absorb flavors and become tender, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Layer baby spinach into the mixture, letting leaves wilt and merge with the creamy environment.
- Carefully return chicken thighs to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce and allowing everything to harmonize at a low simmer for 10 minutes.
- Finish by garnishing with delicate fresh thyme sprigs, creating a visually appealing and aromatic presentation ready to be served immediately.
Notes
- Swap chicken thighs with skinless breasts for a leaner protein option that reduces overall fat content.
- Toast mushrooms separately to develop deeper, richer umami flavors before adding to the sauce.
- Gluten-sensitive cooks can replace regular gnocchi with potato or cauliflower-based alternatives for a celiac-friendly version.
- Pat chicken completely dry before seasoning to ensure crispy, golden-brown exterior and prevent steaming instead of searing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 565 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg