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One-Pan Creamy Crack Chicken Gnocchi

Close-up of a white bowl filled with creamy crack chicken gnocchi, topped generously with bacon bits and herbs.

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Make this rich and comforting One-Pan Creamy Crack Chicken Gnocchi for an easy weeknight dinner. This recipe combines tender chicken, pillowy gnocchi, bacon, and a savory ranch cream cheese sauce for maximum flavor with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 4 slices bacon, chopped
  • 1 (16 ounce) package potato gnocchi
  • 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, cubed
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 packet (1 ounce) dry ranch seasoning mix
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Season the chicken pieces lightly with salt and pepper.
  2. In a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving about 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in the skillet.
  3. Add the chicken pieces to the skillet and cook until browned on all sides and mostly cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the chicken and set it aside with the bacon.
  4. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  5. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the liquid to a simmer.
  6. Stir in the dry ranch seasoning mix and the cubed cream cheese until the cream cheese melts and the sauce is smooth.
  7. Stir in the heavy cream. Add the uncooked gnocchi to the sauce.
  8. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Bring the mixture back to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the gnocchi is tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  9. Remove the lid. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and the sauce thickens slightly. If using, stir in the frozen peas during the last minute of cooking.
  10. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
  11. Serve immediately, topped with the reserved crispy bacon pieces.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, use full-fat cream cheese and heavy cream.
  • You can substitute pre-cooked rotisserie chicken for the raw chicken breasts to save about 10 minutes of cooking time.
  • If you prefer a thicker sauce, allow the mixture to simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes after the gnocchi is cooked.

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