30-Minute Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet Recipe
Introduction
This 30-Minute Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet is a perfect weeknight dinner that combines tender chicken, pillowy gnocchi, and a creamy garlic sauce. It’s quick, comforting, and full of rich flavors that everyone will love.

Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 lb potato gnocchi
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and season with salt, pepper, and dried Italian herbs. Cook until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Be careful not to burn it, as this will cause bitterness.
- Step 3: Pour in the chicken broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. These add great flavor to the sauce.
- Step 4: Add the gnocchi to the skillet and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook for about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gnocchi starts to become tender.
- Step 5: Reduce the heat to medium-low and pour in the heavy cream. Stir gently to combine and let it simmer for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce starts to thicken.
- Step 6: Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet along with the grated Parmesan cheese. Stir everything together until the cheese melts and the chicken is heated through.
- Step 7: Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.
Tips & Variations
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when sautéing the garlic.
- Swap potato gnocchi for cauliflower gnocchi for a lower-carb option.
- Use fresh Italian herbs like thyme or oregano for a brighter herb flavor.
- If you want a thicker sauce, let it simmer a little longer before adding the chicken back in.
Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to maintain creaminess. You may need to add a splash of chicken broth or cream when reheating to loosen the sauce.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen gnocchi for this recipe?
Yes, frozen gnocchi works well. Just add a couple of extra minutes to the cooking time and cook until they are tender and heated through.
Is there a substitute for heavy cream?
You can use half-and-half or whole milk mixed with a tablespoon of flour or cornstarch to help thicken the sauce, but the texture will be less rich and creamy than using heavy cream.
Print30-Minute Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet Recipe
A creamy, garlicky chicken gnocchi skillet that comes together in just 30 minutes. Tender bite-sized chicken pieces are sautéed and simmered with potato gnocchi in a luscious sauce made from garlic, chicken broth, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. This easy one-pan meal is bursting with Italian flavors and garnished with fresh basil for a simple yet elegant dinner option.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Sauce and Gnocchi
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 lb potato gnocchi
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Cook the chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces and season with salt, pepper, and dried Italian herbs. Sauté the chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté the garlic: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly to avoid burning and bitterness.
- Deglaze the pan: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon. These bits add great flavor to the sauce.
- Cook the gnocchi: Add the potato gnocchi to the skillet and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gnocchi starts to become tender.
- Add the cream: Reduce heat to medium-low and pour in the heavy cream. Stir gently to combine and let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Combine chicken and cheese: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and add the grated Parmesan cheese. Stir well until the cheese melts and the chicken is heated through.
- Adjust seasoning and serve: Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Feel free to add vegetables such as spinach or mushrooms for extra nutrition and flavor.
- If you prefer, fresh gnocchi can be used instead of store-bought.
- Be cautious not to burn the garlic to avoid bitterness in the sauce.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and melt.
Keywords: garlic chicken gnocchi, creamy chicken gnocchi skillet, one-pan dinner, Italian chicken recipe, quick chicken skillet, potato gnocchi recipe

