Creamy Crack Chicken Gnocchi Recipe
A rich and comforting Creamy Crack Chicken Gnocchi recipe featuring tender chicken pieces, pillowy gnocchi, creamy cheese sauce, fresh spinach, and savory bacon bits. This hearty dish is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
- Author: Hannah
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Simmering
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt
Chicken and Base
- 3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb), chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil or cooking oil
Gnocchi
- 16 oz fresh or frozen gnocchi
Sauce and Mix-ins
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 4 cups fresh spinach
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup crispy bacon bits
- Prepare chicken: Chop the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces for easy cooking and bite-sized servings.
- Cook chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Cook until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- Make creamy base: Lower the heat to medium-low. Add the cream cheese and chicken broth to the skillet and stir continuously until the cream cheese melts completely, forming a smooth sauce.
- Add gnocchi and spinach: Toss in the gnocchi and fresh spinach into the sauce. Cover the skillet and let it simmer for 5-7 minutes until the gnocchi are tender and the spinach wilts.
- Finish with cheese and bacon: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and bacon bits until the cheese melts evenly, creating a rich, creamy mixture.
- Serve: Portion the creamy crack chicken gnocchi hot into bowls. Optionally, garnish with extra shredded cheddar cheese or additional bacon bits for more flavor and crunch.
Notes
- You can substitute fresh spinach with kale or arugula if preferred.
- For a lower-fat version, use reduced-fat cream cheese and cheese.
- Frozen gnocchi does not require pre-boiling, but if using fresh gnocchi, cook according to package instructions before adding to the sauce.
- Make sure to use low-sodium chicken broth to control the saltiness of the dish.
- This dish can be made ahead and reheated gently on the stove or microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of the recipe)
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 33 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
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