When I say this garlic chicken gnocchi skillet is comfort food at its finest, I mean it. We’re talking about soft, pillowy gnocchi, juicy chicken, and a creamy garlic sauce that clings to every bite. The beauty of this dish is how quickly it comes together—one pan, minimal effort, and maximum flavor. I’ve made this on nights when I wanted to skip the endless pile of dishes, and let me tell you, it feels like winning. The kind of win where your family thinks you’ve been secretly trained in some Italian kitchen, but really, you just had 30 minutes and a skillet. This is the kind of recipe I reach for when I crave something hearty yet easy. It belongs in your weekly dinner rotation, especially if you’re into comfort food recipes, One Pan Recipes, Chicken Skillet Recipes, One Pan Pasta Recipes, One Skillet Meals, pan chicken recipes, or even easy creamy chicken recipes. In short—it checks all the boxes.

Table of Contents
- 1) Key Takeaways
- 2) Easy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet Recipe
- 3) Ingredients for Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet
- 4) How to Make Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet
- 5) Tips for Making Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet
- 6) Making Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet Ahead of Time
- 7) Storing Leftover Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet
- 8) Try these Main Course next!
- 9) Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet
- 10) Nutrition
1) Key Takeaways
- This garlic chicken gnocchi skillet is quick to make and deeply satisfying.
- It uses one pan, making cleanup simple and stress free.
- The creamy garlic sauce pairs beautifully with chicken and gnocchi.
- This recipe is part of comfort food recipes and perfect for weeknight dinners.
2) Easy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet Recipe
If you’ve ever had one of those nights where the last thing you want is a mountain of dishes, then you’ll get why I love this recipe. One pan, that’s it. I’m not exaggerating when I say that this dish has saved me on more than one weeknight when time and energy were running on fumes. Comfort food recipes are supposed to feel warm, easy, and inviting, and that’s exactly what you’ll find here.

The gnocchi soaks up all the flavor from the garlic cream sauce. Every bite feels rich but not heavy, which makes it a great option if you want something filling but not overwhelming. It has the right balance of cozy and quick. Some nights, I’ll add a little extra Parmesan at the end, and honestly, who’s going to argue with more cheese?

This is the sort of recipe that makes you feel like you’ve got it all together. You get hearty, flavorful food without feeling stuck in the kitchen. That’s the real magic of one pan recipes. They let you cook, enjoy, and still have time to sit at the table with the people you love.

3) Ingredients for Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet
Chicken Breasts: Boneless and skinless pieces are easy to cut into chunks and cook quickly. I like how they turn golden brown with a little oil in the skillet.
Olive Oil: It gives the chicken a nice sear without making it greasy. A tablespoon or two is all you need to start building flavor.
Garlic: Freshly minced cloves bring bold flavor. Garlic is the heart of this recipe and it’s what makes the cream sauce taste so inviting.
Italian Seasoning: A mix of herbs that ties everything together. It gives the chicken skillet recipes like this a deeper flavor without fuss.
Chicken Broth: It keeps the sauce light but still savory. The broth helps cook the gnocchi while adding depth to the cream.
Heavy Cream: For richness and smoothness. It blends with the garlic and Parmesan to make the sauce taste indulgent without being too thick.
Potato Gnocchi: Soft dumplings that cook quickly right in the skillet. They absorb the creamy garlic sauce so every bite feels complete.
Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, nutty taste. Stirred into the sauce, it melts down to give a perfect creamy consistency.
Baby Spinach: A few handfuls of greens lighten up the dish. They wilt fast and add color as well as a fresh bite.
4) How to Make Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet
Step 1. Warm the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and let them brown until cooked through. Set them aside once they’re done.
Step 2. In the same pan, toss in the garlic with a pinch of Italian seasoning. Stir for about a minute, just until it smells rich and inviting. Be careful not to burn it.
Step 3. Pour in the chicken broth and cream. Stir and let it simmer lightly. The liquid will bubble and thicken, making a base for the gnocchi.
Step 4. Add the gnocchi. Let them cook right in the sauce for about five to seven minutes. They’ll soften and take on all that flavor.
Step 5. Stir in the Parmesan and baby spinach. The cheese melts and the greens wilt into the sauce. It all blends into a creamy one skillet meal that smells like comfort food at its best.
Step 6. Return the chicken to the pan, mix it all together, and cook for another minute so everything warms through. Garnish with parsley and serve.
5) Tips for Making Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet
One tip that I always stick to is seasoning the chicken well before cooking. A bit of salt and pepper makes the difference. Without that, the flavor feels flat no matter how creamy the sauce gets.
Another small habit I’ve picked up is to grate the Parmesan fresh. Pre-grated works in a pinch, but when you grate it yourself, it melts better and gives the sauce a smoother finish. It’s worth the extra minute.
If you like a little kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes. It gives the skillet just enough heat to balance the creaminess without overpowering the dish. That’s one of the reasons I love pan chicken recipes like this—they’re simple to adjust to your taste.
6) Making Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet Ahead of Time
I’ve made this recipe in the morning before work and reheated it later that night. It still tastes delicious, though the sauce may thicken a bit as it sits. I usually add a splash of broth or cream when warming it up.
If you want to prep even earlier, you can cook the chicken and make the sauce, then store them separately. When it’s time to eat, just bring the sauce back to a simmer, toss in the gnocchi, and finish it off.
One skillet meals like this fit well into busy routines. You can plan ahead without feeling locked into spending hours in the kitchen. It’s simple, flexible, and reliable.
7) Storing Leftover Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet
When I have leftovers, I keep them in an airtight container in the fridge. They usually hold well for up to three days. The gnocchi get softer, but they still taste good with the sauce.
When reheating, I often add a spoonful of cream or broth to bring back the smooth texture of the sauce. Heat it gently on the stove or in the microwave, stirring halfway through so it doesn’t dry out.
This recipe is great for lunches the next day. It’s filling, easy to reheat, and doesn’t lose much of its flavor. Easy creamy chicken recipes like this make leftovers something to look forward to.
8) Try these Main Course next!
9) Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet

Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet – Comfort Food Recipes
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 pound potato gnocchi (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups baby spinach
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Season chicken with salt and pepper, then cook until golden and cooked through, about 5–7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Stir for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, then bring to a gentle simmer.
- Add gnocchi and cook for 5–7 minutes until tender and the sauce thickens.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese and spinach until spinach wilts.
- Return chicken to the pan, toss everything together, and let it warm through.
- Garnish with parsley and serve hot.
10) Nutrition
Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe | Calories: 520 | Sugar: 3 g | Sodium: 780 mg | Fat: 27 g | Saturated Fat: 13 g | Carbohydrates: 45 g | Fiber: 3 g | Protein: 28 g | Cholesterol: 95 mg
Written by Kathy for Simply Cooked Recipes. For more comforting meals, visit Simply Cooked Recipes.






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