One-Pan Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Delight

If you’re anything like me, weeknights are all about finding that sweet spot between delicious and doable. You want something that feels like a hug in a bowl, but without spending an hour in the kitchen or dirtying every dish you own. That’s exactly why I’m obsessed with this One-Pan Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Delight.

This is the kind of dinner that looks fancy enough for guests but is secretly super simple to whip up. One skillet, minimal prep, and major flavor? Yes, please. It checks all the boxes: creamy, garlicky, cheesy, and loaded with those soft, pillowy gnocchi that somehow make every bite feel indulgent. Add in tender chicken and a handful of fresh spinach, and you’ve got a full meal that’s as comforting as it is convenient.

I first started making this dish on a whim—honestly just trying to use up some gnocchi I had sitting in the pantry. But after one bite, my family was hooked, and now it’s in regular rotation around here. Trust me, if you’re craving something cozy, creamy, and full of flavor (with hardly any cleanup!), this recipe is going to become your new favorite too.

Let’s get into it.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what makes this dish so dreamy, and chances are, you already have most of these in your kitchen:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 package (16 oz) potato gnocchi

• 1 cup chicken broth

• 1 cup heavy cream

• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 2 cups fresh baby spinach

• Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)

You can use shelf-stable or refrigerated gnocchi—both work great here. And while I usually reach for heavy cream, I’ve swapped in half-and-half on busy weeks, and it still comes out creamy and delicious.

STEP 1: Sear the Chicken to Golden Perfection

Start by heating a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. While the oil warms up, season your chicken pieces with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. This gives the chicken a nice herby, garlicky flavor base that pairs beautifully with the creamy sauce later on.

Add the chicken to the skillet and let it cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it’s nicely browned and cooked through. You want those little golden edges—that’s where the flavor is. Once the chicken is done, remove it from the skillet and set it aside. Don’t wipe out the pan! You want all those yummy browned bits left in there to flavor the sauce.

STEP 2: Build the Flavor Base with Garlic and Gnocchi

In the same skillet, add your minced garlic and sauté it for about 30 seconds. Just until it’s fragrant—careful not to burn it! Then, toss in the gnocchi and stir to coat it in all that garlicky, golden oil.

This step helps give the gnocchi a slightly crispy edge, which adds such a nice texture to the final dish. And it soaks up all the leftover seasoning from the chicken, adding even more depth to each bite.

STEP 3: Simmer Gnocchi in Broth

Now pour in the chicken broth and bring everything to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for about 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. This step softens the gnocchi and infuses it with savory flavor from the broth. You’ll notice the gnocchi plumping up as it cooks—it’s the kind of transformation that makes this dish feel way fancier than it actually is.

Alright, if you’ve been following along, you already have the makings of a seriously flavorful dish simmering away. At this point, our gnocchi is soaking up that garlicky chicken broth, and the whole kitchen is probably smelling like an Italian bistro in the best way possible.

Now it’s time to bring this recipe home—because while gnocchi and garlic are already a dream combo, the real magic happens when we add cream, Parmesan, and that tender chicken back into the pan. This next part is where it all comes together into a creamy, savory skillet meal that feels like a warm hug.

STEP 4: Stir in the Cream and Bring Back the Chicken

Once your gnocchi is nice and tender (it should be soft but not mushy), go ahead and stir in the heavy cream. This is where that luscious, velvety sauce starts to take shape.

Now’s also the time to add the cooked chicken back into the skillet. Nestle those golden bites right into the creamy base and let everything simmer together for another 3 to 4 minutes. You’re looking for the sauce to thicken slightly and coat everything evenly.

Tip: If your sauce is reducing too quickly, just add a splash more broth or cream to keep things silky. Don’t worry if it seems a little thin right now—it will continue to thicken as it sits.

STEP 5: Add the Parmesan Cheese

Next, sprinkle in that freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Stir it gently into the skillet, and just watch as it melts into the sauce and takes everything up a notch. The salty, nutty flavor of Parmesan is what really ties this dish together—it adds richness and that signature cheesy tang without overpowering the other flavors.

Make sure the cheese is fully melted and incorporated into the sauce before moving to the next step.

STEP 6: Fold in the Fresh Spinach

Now for a pop of color and a little extra nutrition: the baby spinach. It may seem like a lot at first, but spinach wilts down quickly, so don’t be shy. Gently fold it into the hot, creamy sauce and give it a minute or two to soften.

You’ll end up with just the right amount of green to balance out the richness of the sauce and chicken, and it adds a fresh, slightly earthy flavor that complements the creamy base beautifully.

STEP 7: Let It Rest (and Thicken) Before Serving

Once everything is well combined and the spinach is wilted, remove the skillet from the heat and let it rest for about a minute. This little pause gives the sauce a chance to thicken naturally and allows all the flavors to settle.

Before serving, you can sprinkle a little chopped parsley on top if you’re feeling fancy—or just dig right in. Either way, what you’ll have is a skillet full of creamy, cheesy, garlicky goodness that feels like something you’d get at a cozy neighborhood café.

Tips & Variations to Make It Your Own

This recipe is super versatile, and once you’ve made it a couple of times, you’ll probably want to start customizing it. Here are a few simple ideas to switch things up without messing with the creamy magic:

• Add a splash of white wine when sautéing the garlic for extra depth. Let it reduce slightly before adding the broth.

• Swap the protein: This recipe also works great with shrimp or even rotisserie chicken if you’re really short on time.

• Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream if you’re looking for a slightly lighter version—just know the sauce won’t be quite as rich.

• Throw in extra veggies: Mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, or peas would all be delicious additions.

• Make it spicy: A pinch of red pepper flakes added with the garlic gives the sauce a nice little kick.

No matter how you spin it, this one-pan dinner delivers big comfort with minimal effort. The combination of creamy garlic sauce, tender chicken, and soft gnocchi is just one of those things that never gets old.