Creamy Lemon Chicken Gnocchi (Print Version)

Tender chicken and soft gnocchi in a zesty lemon cream sauce with spinach and Parmesan, 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

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

# 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 chicken in a single layer 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 along with any accumulated juices.
06 - Simmer for 2-3 minutes until spinach wilts and sauce thickens to coat the gnocchi. Adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired. Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan cheese.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The sauce manages to be rich and luxurious while still letting that bright lemon flavor sing through every bite
  • It transforms simple pantry ingredients into something that tastes like it came from a cozy Italian restaurant
  • Everything happens in one pan, so you get maximum flavor with minimum cleanup
02 -
  • Dont skip searing the chicken properly—those golden brown bits left in the pan are what give the sauce its deep flavor
  • The gnocchi will continue softening in the sauce, so slightly undercooked when you add them is actually perfect
  • Grate your Parmesan fresh from a wedge if possible, pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that make it grainy
03 -
  • Zest your lemon before juicing it—much easier to handle the whole lemon when it's still full of juice
  • Room temperature cream incorporates more smoothly into hot sauces without any risk of separating
  • Keep the gnocchi moving in the first few minutes of cooking to prevent them from sticking to the pan bottom

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