Creamy Lemon Chicken Gnocchi (Printable version)
Tender chicken and soft gnocchi in a bright lemon cream sauce with spinach and Parmesan.
# What You'll Need:
→ Protein & Dairy
01 - 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
03 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
04 - 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
→ Vegetables & Aromatics
05 - 1 small yellow onion finely chopped
06 - 2 cloves garlic minced
07 - 2 cups fresh baby spinach
08 - Zest of 1 lemon
09 - Juice of 1 lemon about 3 tablespoons
→ Gnocchi & Liquids
10 - 1 pound potato gnocchi
11 - 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
→ Seasoning & Garnish
12 - 1/2 teaspoon salt plus more to taste
13 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
14 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
15 - Fresh parsley chopped for garnish
16 - Extra Parmesan for serving
# How to Prepare:
01 - Season chicken pieces generously with salt and pepper on all sides.
02 - Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add seasoned chicken and cook until golden brown and just cooked through, about 5-6 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
03 - Add remaining 1 tablespoon butter to the same skillet. Sauté chopped onion for 2-3 minutes until softened and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Stir in uncooked gnocchi, chicken broth, and lemon zest. Bring to a simmer, cover with lid, and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
05 - Remove lid and pour in heavy cream and lemon juice. Add Parmesan cheese and spinach, then return cooked chicken to the skillet.
06 - Simmer for 2-3 minutes until spinach wilts and sauce thickens to desired consistency. Adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- The entire dish comes together in one pan, meaning less cleanup and more time to actually enjoy your evening
- That lemon cream sauce is the kind of thing you will want to spoon over everything, not just the gnocchi
02 -
- Do not skip the lemon zest, it contains all those aromatic oils that give the dish its bright, sunny flavor profile
- The sauce will continue to thicken as it sits off the heat, so remove it from the stove when it looks slightly thinner than you want
03 -
- Room temperature cream incorporates more smoothly into the sauce without risking curdling
- Grate your Parmesan from a wedge instead of using pre-grated cheese for better melting and a more intense flavor