Description
This Creamy Garlic Chicken and Gnocchi recipe features tender, bone-in chicken thighs seared to golden perfection and simmered in a rich, garlicky cream sauce with mushrooms, Parmesan cheese, and baby spinach, all tossed together with soft potato gnocchi for a comforting and flavorful meal ready in just 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Sauce and Vegetables
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups baby spinach
Pasta
- 12 ounces potato gnocchi
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: Season the chicken thighs all over with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder to ensure flavorful meat.
- Heat Olive Oil: Warm the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat to prepare for searing.
- Sear Chicken Skin-Side Down: Place the chicken thighs skin-side down and cook for about 5 minutes until the skin is beautifully golden and crispy.
- Flip and Continue Cooking: Turn the chicken thighs over and cook for an additional 5 minutes to brown the other side. Then remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce Base: Reduce heat to medium and melt unsalted butter in the same skillet, using the flavorful browned bits from the chicken.
- Sauté Garlic and Mushrooms: Add minced garlic and sliced mushrooms, cooking for about 2 minutes until fragrant and the mushrooms have softened.
- Add Cream and Broth: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine the ingredients.
- Season the Sauce: Stir in dried thyme, Italian seasoning, and optional red pepper flakes to build depth of flavor.
- Incorporate Parmesan Cheese: Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then add grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until it fully melts into the sauce for creaminess.
- Cook the Gnocchi: Add the potato gnocchi to the sauce, cooking them for about 3 minutes to allow them to absorb the flavors and become tender.
- Add Baby Spinach: Stir in baby spinach and cook until wilted, adding freshness and color to the dish.
- Simmer Chicken in Sauce: Nestle the seared chicken thighs back into the skillet, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked through.
- Serve: Dish out the creamy garlic chicken and gnocchi hot, optionally garnishing with extra Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for extra flavor and moistness.
- Feel free to substitute baby kale or Swiss chard for baby spinach.
- If you prefer a spicier kick, increase the red pepper flakes slightly or add freshly ground black pepper at the end.
- For a lighter option, swap heavy cream with half-and-half but expect a less thick sauce.
- Use fresh Parmesan cheese for best melt and taste.
