Creamy Lemon Chicken Gnocchi (Printer-Friendly)
Tender chicken and soft gnocchi swim in a rich lemon cream sauce with fresh spinach and Parmesan. This zesty one-pan comfort meal is ready in 40 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ 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 & Liquids
10 - 1 pound potato gnocchi (store-bought or homemade)
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
16 - Extra Parmesan, for serving
# How to Make It:
01 - Season chicken pieces generously 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, approximately 5–6 minutes. Transfer 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 spinach, then return reserved chicken to the skillet. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until spinach wilts and sauce thickens slightly.
06 - Adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired. Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The lemon cream sauce comes together in minutes but tastes like it simmered all afternoon
- Everything cooks in one pan, so you spend less time cleaning and more time eating
- The combination of tender chicken, soft gnocchi, and bright citrus hits every comfort food craving
02 -
- Do not crowd the pan when searing chicken or it will steam instead of brown. Work in batches if your skillet is small.
- The sauce will continue thickening off the heat, so remove it from the stove while it still looks slightly looser than you want.
- Lemon brightness fades as it sits, so add a squeeze of fresh juice right before serving if it has been sitting.
03 -
- Zest your lemon before juicing it. The zest releases more oil and is easier to grate when the lemon is whole.
- Room temperature cream incorporates more smoothly into hot sauces without risking curdling.