Description
Hearty one skillet sun-dried tomato chicken and gnocchi delivers Italian comfort with rich Mediterranean flavors. Creamy sauce and tender ingredients combine for a quick weeknight meal that satisfies with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or 4 small)
- 1 (16 oz/454 g) package potato gnocchi (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 cups fresh spinach (or kale)
- 1 tbsp butter
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil), drained and chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tsps Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- Fresh basil or extra Parmesan for garnish
Instructions
- Seasoning Symphony: Massage chicken with a vibrant blend of salt, pepper, Italian herbs, garlic essence, and paprika, ensuring complete flavor coverage.
- Golden Sear Technique: Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high flame, cook chicken until caramelized and internal temperature reaches 165F/75C, then transfer to a holding plate.
- Flavor Foundation: In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes, then deglaze with chicken broth, releasing caramelized remnants from the pan’s surface.
- Sauce Alchemy: Whisk together heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes, allowing the mixture to simmer and develop a luxurious, velvety consistency.
- Gnocchi Integration: Introduce uncooked gnocchi directly into the sauce, stirring gently to ensure complete coating, then cover and let the dumplings absorb the rich flavors until tender.
- Verdant Finish: Fold in fresh spinach and butter, watching the greens wilt and add a vibrant layer to the creamy base while simultaneously reheating the seared chicken within the sauce.
- Presentation Flourish: Garnish with fresh basil leaves and a generous Parmesan cheese sprinkle, serving immediately to capture the dish’s harmonious blend of textures and tastes.
Notes
- Chicken Seasoning Mastery: Ensure even and generous coating of spices by patting chicken dry before seasoning, allowing herbs and spices to adhere perfectly.
- Searing Technique: Use a hot skillet and avoid overcrowding to achieve a golden-brown crust, which locks in moisture and develops deep flavor complexity.
- Sauce Consistency Control: Simmer sauce gently to prevent separation, stirring occasionally and adjusting thickness with extra broth or cream as needed.
- Dietary Adaptation: Swap heavy cream with coconut milk for dairy-free version, use gluten-free gnocchi for celiac-friendly option, or substitute chicken with plant-based protein for vegetarian alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg