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Let me share my favorite weeknight dinner that always gets rave reviews from my family - creamy chicken gnocchi with cream cheese. This cozy one-pan meal comes together in just 20 minutes using simple ingredients. The cream cheese creates the most luxurious sauce that wraps around each pillowy gnocchi and tender piece of chicken making every bite absolutely perfect.
Why This Recipe Works
After lots of testing I discovered that using cream cheese instead of heavy cream gives this dish an incredible richness and subtle tang. The sauce clings beautifully to the gnocchi creating little pockets of creamy goodness in every bite. When my kids see me pulling out the cream cheese they know something delicious is coming. I love tossing in some spinach for color and extra nutrients though it's completely optional.
What You'll Need
- Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon good quality please.
- Unsalted Butter: 30 g just two tablespoons.
- Chicken Breast: 350 g cut into bite sized pieces.
- Garlic: 4 cloves fresh minced.
- Dry White Wine: 75 ml optional but adds lovely flavor.
- Italian Seasoning: 1 teaspoon your favorite blend.
- Chicken Stock: 400 ml homemade if you have it.
- Cream Cheese: 180 g room temperature works best.
- Gnocchi: 500 g fresh or packaged both work great.
- Baby Spinach: 100 g optional but recommended.
- Parmesan: 30 g freshly grated only.
- Black Pepper: Fresh cracked to taste.
Let's Cook
- Start Your Base
- Get your biggest pan hot with that olive oil and butter wait for it to get all foamy and fragrant.
- Golden Chicken
- Cook those chicken pieces until they're beautifully golden then add your garlic until your kitchen smells amazing.
- Build Your Sauce
- Splash in that wine if using let it bubble away then add your seasonings and stock.
- Create the Creamy Magic
- Now's the time for cream cheese stir it until it melts into the most gorgeous silky sauce.
- Gnocchi Time
- Add your gnocchi and spinach cover and let them get tender and cozy in that sauce.
- The Grand Finale
- Finish with a shower of Parmesan and plenty of black pepper serve it up while it's hot.
My Best Tips
Want your sauce extra thick? Just let it simmer uncovered a bit longer. If it gets too thick splash in some stock. No wine? No problem just use extra stock. Sometimes I pop the whole pan under the broiler for a few minutes to get those crispy edges we all fight over.
Make It Your Own
This creamy chicken gnocchi recipe is so versatile. Try swapping spinach for kale or adding mushrooms for an earthier flavor. We love it with garlic bread for soaking up every bit of sauce. If you're serving wine a nice glass of Chardonnay makes this simple dinner feel extra special.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why use cream cheese in this recipe?
- Cream cheese creates a rich, thick sauce without having to reduce heavy cream. It also adds a tangy flavor that complements the chicken and gnocchi.
- → Can I use frozen gnocchi?
- Yes, frozen gnocchi works well in this recipe. You might need to add an extra minute or two to the cooking time.
- → What can I substitute for white wine?
- You can replace the white wine with extra chicken stock or add a splash of lemon juice for acidity.
- → Why add spinach at the end?
- Adding spinach last keeps it bright green and prevents overcooking. The residual heat wilts it perfectly while maintaining nutrients.
- → How do I prevent the cream cheese from clumping?
- Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature and break it into smaller pieces. Stir continuously until it melts completely into the sauce.