Creamy Lemon Chicken Gnocchi (Printable)
Tender chicken and soft gnocchi in a bright lemon cream sauce with spinach and Parmesan. Ready in 40 minutes.
# Ingredient List:
→ Protein & Dairy
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 14 oz), 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
10 - 1 pound potato gnocchi (store-bought or homemade)
→ Liquids
11 - 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
→ Seasoning
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)
→ Garnish
15 - Fresh parsley, chopped
16 - Extra Parmesan, for serving
# Steps:
01 - Season chicken pieces evenly with salt and pepper on all sides.
02 - In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter. Add seasoned chicken and cook until golden brown and just cooked through, about 5–6 minutes. Remove chicken to a plate and set aside.
03 - In the same skillet, add remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Sauté chopped onion for 2–3 minutes until softened and translucent, then add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Stir in uncooked gnocchi, chicken broth, and lemon zest. Bring to a gentle 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. Stir in Parmesan cheese and fresh spinach, then return cooked chicken to the skillet.
06 - Simmer for 2–3 minutes until spinach wilts and sauce thickens slightly. Adjust final seasoning with additional salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired.
07 - Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The bright lemon cuts through the rich cream so it never feels too heavy
- Everything cooks in one pan meaning less cleanup and more time enjoying dinner
- Ready in under 45 minutes but tastes like it simmered all afternoon
02 -
- Do not overcrowd the pan when searing chicken or it will steam instead of brown
- The sauce will thicken as it cools slightly, so remove from heat while it still looks loose
- Gnocchi can go from tender to mushy quickly, so check after 5 minutes of simmering
03 -
- Room temperature cream incorporates more smoothly into the sauce
- Grate your Parmesan from a wedge instead of buying pre-grated for better melting