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The Ultimate 30-Minute One-Pan Creamy Crack Chicken Gnocchi

Close-up of creamy crack chicken gnocchi in a skillet, topped with bacon bits and fresh chives.
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Make this rich and comforting one-pan Creamy Crack Chicken Gnocchi for a quick weeknight dinner. Tender chicken and pillowy gnocchi cook together in a savory, cheesy sauce.

Ingredients

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  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 4 ounces bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1 (16 ounce) package shelf-stable or refrigerated gnocchi
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, cut into cubes
  • 1 packet (1 ounce) dry ranch seasoning mix
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups fresh spinach (optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Cook until the chicken is browned on all sides and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  2. Add the crumbled bacon to the skillet and cook for 1 minute to warm it through, if needed.
  3. Add the gnocchi, chicken broth, cream cheese cubes, and dry ranch seasoning mix to the skillet. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally until the cream cheese melts and the sauce begins to thicken, about 5 minutes.
  4. Stir in the heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese until smooth. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet.
  5. Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer gently for 3 to 5 minutes, allowing the gnocchi to soften fully and the sauce to coat everything.
  6. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and fresh spinach, if using, until the spinach wilts.
  7. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • For an authentic ‘crack chicken’ flavor, do not skip the ranch seasoning mix or the bacon.
  • If you prefer shredded chicken, cook the chicken breasts whole in the broth mixture until done, then shred them directly in the pan before adding the cream cheese.
  • This dish is excellent served with crusty bread for dipping in the extra sauce.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingbycarla.com/creamy-crack-chicken-gnocchi-recipe/