Oh, pasta! Just the word makes my heart sing. For me, it all started with my mom’s Sunday “pasta night.” It wasn’t anything fancy, just spaghetti with whatever veggies we had and a good dose of butter and garlic, but the smell alone would bring the whole family running. It taught me that good food is about connection and making memories, and that’s exactly what this Ultimate Pasta Recipes Guide is all about. I’m Bella Simmons, and as a recipe developer, I’ve spent years exploring the wonderful world of pasta, turning simple ingredients into amazing meals. Getting pasta right is a beautiful journey, and I can’t wait to share it with you!
Why This Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi Skillet is a Must-Try
Trust me, this dish is an absolute winner for so many reasons:
- It’s a total lifesaver for busy nights – a true quick dinner wonder!
- Everything cooks in just one pan, meaning less mess and more flavor. Hello, one pot pasta dreams!
- It’s so wonderfully comforting and satisfying, making it a perfect go-to family pasta favorite.
- And that creamy texture? Oh my goodness, it’s pure indulgence in every single bite. Pure creamy pasta bliss!
Ingredients for Your Ultimate Pasta Recipes Guide: Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi Skillet
Alright, let’s talk ingredients for this gorgeous skillet! This is where the magic really starts to happen. When you’re putting this together, make sure you’ve got everything ready to go because it comes together pretty fast once you start cooking. It’s all about that little bit of prep work making everything else a breeze. You’ll need:
For the Chicken & Flavor Base:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 1 small shallot, finely diced (this adds a lovely subtle oniony sweetness!)
- 8 oz baby bella mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (don’t be shy with the garlic!)
- 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or 1 tsp dried if you don’t have fresh)
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
For the Creamy Goodness:
- 1 1/4 cups half and half (this is key for that luscious creaminess!)
- Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes (just for a tiny bit of warmth, totally optional!)
- 1 (17-oz) package store-bought gnocchi (the shelf-stable kind works beautifully here)
- 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (the real stuff makes all the difference!)
- 3 cups packed baby spinach (it looks like a lot, but it wilts down like nobody’s business!)
Mastering the Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi Skillet: Step-by-Step Instructions
Okay, here’s where the real fun begins! This recipe is designed to be super straightforward, especially since it’s a one-pot wonder. That means fewer dishes and more time to actually enjoy your delicious meal. Just follow these steps, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly this gorgeous skillet comes together!
Preparing the Chicken and Aromatics
First things first, let’s get that chicken seasoned up right! Give your chicken pieces a good sprinkle of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper on both sides. Heat about 1 tablespoon of olive oil in your large skillet over medium-high heat. Once it’s shimmering, carefully add the chicken. We want to get a nice golden-brown sear on it, about 4 minutes per side. Then, just pop it out of the skillet and set it aside for a moment. No need to cook it all the way through yet!
Building the Creamy Sauce and Simmering
Now, lower your heat to medium and add that last tablespoon of olive oil to the same skillet. Toss in your diced shallot and sliced mushrooms. Let them cook until they’re beautifully golden and tender – that usually takes about 5 minutes. Next, add in your minced garlic, fresh thyme, and dried oregano. Give that a good stir for about a minute until you can smell how fragrant it is. Pour in the chicken broth and really scrape up any yummy browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan; that’s where loads of flavor are hiding! Then, slowly whisk in your half and half. Bring it all up to a gentle simmer, and season it with salt, pepper, and that little pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a hint of heat. Stir in your uncooked gnocchi and nestle those seared chicken pieces back into the sauce. Let it all simmer away, stirring now and then, for about 8 to 10 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (make sure it hits 165°F internally!). This is our simmering time where all those flavors meld together.
Finishing Touches and Serving
Once the chicken is perfectly cooked, remove it from the skillet temporarily. Now, stir in both the shredded mozzarella and the freshly grated Parmesan until they’re all melted and gorgeous. Toss in that packed baby spinach – it looks like a mountain, but trust me, it will wilt down super fast! Give it a good stir until just wilted. Slice up your chicken and return it to the creamy, cheesy goodness in the skillet. Give everything a final taste and add more salt or pepper if you think it needs it. It’s ready to serve right out of the pan!
Tips for Success with Your Ultimate Pasta Recipes Guide
Making this Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi Skillet absolutely perfect every time is so easy once you know a few little tricks. It’s all about paying attention to those details!
Ingredient Quality Matters
Seriously, using good ingredients makes such a difference! For this dish, fresh garlic and herbs really wake everything up. And when it comes to the Parmesan? Grate it yourself right before tossing it in – you’ll notice that melty, cheesy goodness is just so much better than the pre-grated stuff.
Achieving the Perfect Creamy Texture
The secret to keeping this sauce beautifully creamy is all about watching that simmer. Don’t let it boil fiercely once you add the half-and-half. A gentle, steady simmer is key. Stirring occasionally also helps everything come together smoothly and prevents anything from sticking to the bottom. That way, you get that luscious, velvety texture every bite!
Ingredient Substitutions and Variations for Pasta Lovers
You know, one of the best things about pasta dishes like this is how adaptable they are! It’s like a culinary playground. You can totally tweak this Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi Skillet to fit what you have on hand or just what you’re craving. It’s all about making it your own, right?
Swapping Proteins and Vegetables
Chicken isn’t the only star! Feel free to use shrimp – just add it towards the end so it doesn’t overcook, maybe just five minutes before it’s ready. Cooked Italian sausage, whether mild or spicy, is also fantastic here. And don’t stop at spinach and mushrooms; peas, chopped zucchini, or even some slightly steamed broccoli would be brilliant additions to this creamy sauce!
Exploring Different Pasta Shapes
While gnocchi is wonderfully pillowy and perfect in this, if you can’t find it or just want to mix things up, don’t sweat it! You could easily use a small pasta shape like ditalini, or even a medium shell pasta or penne. Just make sure to cook them according to their package directions, a little bit *al dente*, since they’ll finish cooking in the sauce. Adding a different pasta shape can totally change the texture and feel of the dish, giving you a whole new delicious experience!
Frequently Asked Questions about This Ultimate Pasta Recipes Guide
Got questions about making this amazing pasta dish? I’ve got answers! It’s always good to know these little things. For more insights from me, Bella Simmons, check out my bio!
Can I make this creamy chicken and gnocchi ahead of time?
While it’s super tasty served fresh, you can totally make it ahead! The sauce might thicken a bit as it cools. Just gently reheat it on the stove with a splash more half-and-half or broth to get it back to that perfect creamy consistency. The gnocchi can get a little softer, but it’s still delicious!
What kind of gnocchi is best for this recipe?
Honestly, the most convenient choice here is the shelf-stable, vacuum-sealed potato gnocchi you find in the pasta aisle. It cooks up beautifully in the sauce without getting too mushy. If you happen to have fresh gnocchi from a refrigerated section, even better, but the shelf-stable kind is my go-to for this quick skillet meal!
How do I prevent the sauce from breaking?
Keeping that creamy sauce smooth is easy! The trick is gentle heat and not letting it boil too rapidly once you’ve added the dairy. Stirring occasionally also helps. Adding the cheese gradually and letting it melt in slowly will also help emulsify everything nicely, keeping your sauce lovely and stable.
Estimated Nutritional Information
Currently, Bella Simmons’s Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi Skillet is estimated to provide about 550-650 calories, 30-40g of fat, 35-45g of protein, and 30-40g of carbohydrates per serving. Keep in mind that these numbers are just estimates! They can change depending on the exact brands and types of ingredients you use, like the specific chicken you pick or how much cheese really melts in. So, enjoy this dish knowing it’s a super satisfying meal!
Share Your Culinary Creations
Now it’s your turn! I’d absolutely LOVE to hear how your Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi Skillet turned out. Did you try any fun variations? Did the family devour it? Please leave a comment below with your thoughts or rate this recipe – it really helps me out! And if you share a pic on social media, be sure to tag me so I can see your beautiful creation! If you have any questions or want to share more, feel free to reach out!
Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi Skillet
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Season chicken on both sides with salt and pepper. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon oil. Add chicken and cook until golden, 4 minutes per side. Remove from skillet.
- Reduce heat to medium and add remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Add shallot and mushrooms and cook until golden, 5 minutes. Add garlic, thyme, and oregano and cook until fragrant, 1 minute more. Add broth and scrape up any brown bits on bottom of pan, then slowly add in half and half. Bring to a simmer and season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Stir in gnocchi and return chicken to pan. Let simmer until chicken is cooked through and internal temperature reaches 165°, 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove chicken from skillet.
- Add cheeses and stir until melted, then add spinach and stir until wilted.
- Slice chicken and return to skillet. Season with more salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
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Let us know how it was!
Bella Simmons is an accomplished culinary content creator who specializes in transforming classic comfort dishes into fresh, approachable recipes for the modern home cook. Known for her warm teaching voice, dependable techniques, and flavor-forward approach, Bella has become a trusted resource for readers who want meals that are both memorable and manageable. Her mission is simple: to help home cooks feel confident, inspired, and excited every time they step into the kitchen.
Bella’s career began in local bakeries and small café kitchens, where she developed a deep appreciation for homemade food and the emotional connection people share with recipes passed down through generations. After honing her craft in pastry work and savory cooking, she transitioned into food media and recipe writing, eager to reach more cooks than she ever could from behind a bakery counter. Her early success writing for digital food platforms and community cookbooks opened the door to larger opportunities, allowing her to merge her passion for storytelling with her culinary expertise.
Over the years, Bella has collaborated with food brands, kitchenware companies, and cooking educators to develop trusted recipes, step-by-step tutorials, and educational culinary resources. Her work has been shared across online cooking communities and featured in recipe roundups for its clarity, creativity, and consistently delicious results. Bella is especially known for her approachable technique breakdowns—helping readers understand why a recipe works, not just how to make it.
