Description
This creamy lemon chicken gnocchi is the ultimate cozy comfort food that comes together in just one pan. Juicy chicken, pillowy gnocchi, and a velvety Parmesan cream sauce are brightened with fresh lemon and spinach. Perfect for weeknights when you want something quick, hearty, and a little special.
Ingredients
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter)
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 lb potato gnocchi (shelf-stable or refrigerated)
2 cups fresh baby spinach
1 lemon (zest + juice)
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until golden brown on the outside (it doesn’t need to be fully cooked yet).
Reduce heat to medium and stir in garlic. Cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, scraping the bottom of the pan to release browned bits.
Add gnocchi and stir to coat. Simmer for 5–7 minutes, until the gnocchi is tender and sauce begins to thicken.
Stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, and spinach. Let spinach wilt down, then add Parmesan and stir until melted into the sauce.
Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot with extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
Swap chicken breasts for chicken thighs for a juicier option.
For dairy-free, use coconut milk and dairy-free Parmesan.
Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days. Add a splash of broth or cream when reheating to loosen the sauce.
Shrimp or mushrooms make great substitutions if you’d like to change up the protein.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Course
- Method: One-Pan, Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (¼ of recipe)
- Calories: ~520
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: creamy lemon chicken gnocchi, one-pan gnocchi, lemon chicken skillet