One Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken and Gnocchi

Overhead shot of chicken and gnocchi in a large pot

5 from 9 votes

One Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken and Gnocchi

The ultimate flavor-packed one-pan family-friendly meal, this lemon and garlic chicken and gnocchi recipe will have the entire family satisfied. Comfort food at its best, this meal comes together easily and leftovers can be packed for lunch the next day and simply reheated. Trying to eat lower in carbs? Cauliflower gnocchi is becoming more and more accessible in the stores and makes a great lower in carbs option.

Prep Time10

Cook Time20

Total Time30

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: Anytime

Keyword: chicken and gnocchi

Servings: serves

Calories: 378kcal

Ingredients

1 lb (500g) boneless skinless chicken breasts
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons seasoning blend (Old Bay, Cajun seasoning, or Italian seasoning)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
4 garlic cloves minced
½ cup chicken broth
1 lemon juiced
¾ cup heavy cream
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
1 lb (500g) uncooked potato gnocchi
1.5 cups baby spinach or baby kale

Instructions

Season the chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, and 1 teaspoon of seasoning blend.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the chicken and cook for about 5-7 minutes. Flip the chicken breasts and add the butter to the pan and continue to cook for another 7 minutes until the chicken is cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
Reduce the heat to medium and add the garlic. Cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
Use the chicken broth and lemon to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan as you go.
Add the heavy cream, remainder of the seasoning blend, and the grated parmesan and stir well to combine until the parmesan has melted.
Add the gnocchi and continue to cook for about 7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Turn the heat off and add in the baby spinach. Stir until just wilted before adding the chicken back into the skillet and serving immediately.

Notes

Chicken

Aim for similar-sized chicken breasts so that they cook evenly. If your chicken breasts are large in size you may want to cut them in half or increase the amount of cooking time required.

Chicken is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165F (75C).

If there is any resistance when you try to flip the chicken halfway through cooking, then continue to let it cook for a minute or two, until it is easier to flip.

Gnocchi

The best gnocchi to use is shelf-stable gnocchi. Frozen gnocchi can be used, however, you will need to add some cooking time to ensure it cooks through. I would not recommend fresh gnocchi as it will likely fall apart or become mushy in this recipe.

Sauce

If the sauce is too thick then add some more stock.

If the sauce is too thin then use a little extra stock and some cornstarch to make a cornstarch slurry and add it to the sauce.

Storing leftovers

Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

I would not recommend freezing leftovers, as the gnocchi may become soggy.

Nutrition