Description

Creamy Crack Chicken Gnocchi is a rich and comforting skillet dish combining tender bites of chicken breast with pillowy gnocchi in a luscious cream cheese and chicken broth sauce, brightened by fresh spinach and topped with melted cheddar and crispy bacon bits. This hearty meal is perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner and comes together quickly with simple ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasoning

3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb), chopped into bite-sized pieces
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste

Pasta and Vegetables

16 oz fresh or frozen gnocchi
4 cups fresh spinach

Dairy and Broth

8 oz cream cheese
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Extras

½ cup crispy bacon bits
1 tablespoon oil (for cooking chicken)

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken: Chop the boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. This ensures quick and even cooking during the sauté process.
Cook the Chicken: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, sprinkle with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper, and cook until golden brown on all sides, about 5-7 minutes.
Create the Sauce: Lower the heat to medium, add the cream cheese and chicken broth to the skillet with the browned chicken. Stir continuously until the cream cheese melts completely and forms a smooth, creamy sauce.
Cook Gnocchi and Spinach: Add the fresh or frozen gnocchi along with the fresh spinach to the skillet. Cover the pan and simmer for 5-7 minutes until the gnocchi are tender and the spinach is wilted.
Finish with Cheese and Bacon: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and crispy bacon bits until the cheese melts and everything is evenly combined.
Serve: Serve the creamy crack chicken gnocchi hot in bowls. Optionally, garnish with extra shredded cheese to enhance presentation and flavor.

Notes

For added flavor, substitute spinach with kale or include sun-dried tomatoes.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to three days.
When reheating leftovers, gently warm on the stove with a splash of chicken broth to restore creaminess.
If using frozen gnocchi, no need to thaw before cooking; just increase simmer time slightly.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Creamy Crack Chicken, Gnocchi, Chicken and Gnocchi Skillet, Comfort Food, Quick Dinner, One-Pan Meal, Spinach, Bacon, Cheddar Cheese