Creamy Spinach Parmesan Gnocchi with Chicken (Printable)

Tender potato gnocchi and shredded chicken in a rich garlic Parmesan cream sauce with fresh spinach. A comforting 30-minute meal.

# What you need:

→ Protein

01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded

→ Pasta

02 - 18 oz store-bought potato gnocchi

→ Vegetables

03 - 2 cups fresh baby spinach, loosely packed
04 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
05 - 3 garlic cloves, minced

→ Sauce

06 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
07 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
08 - 1 cup heavy cream
09 - 1/2 cup whole milk
10 - 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
11 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
12 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
13 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Garnish

14 - Freshly cracked black pepper
15 - Chopped fresh parsley

# How to make it:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the gnocchi according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
02 - While the gnocchi cooks, heat the butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Pour in the heavy cream and milk. Stir in the Italian seasoning, black pepper, and salt. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
04 - Add the shredded chicken to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring to warm through.
05 - Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth and thickened, about 2 minutes.
06 - Add the cooked gnocchi and spinach to the skillet. Toss gently until the spinach wilts and the gnocchi is well coated with the sauce, about 2 minutes.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan and chopped parsley.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than you'd expect, which means weeknight dinners actually feel doable again.
  • The sauce is rich enough to feel indulgent but not so heavy that you regret it an hour later.
  • Gnocchi has this magic quality of absorbing flavor while staying tender, making every bite taste intentional.
02 -
  • Don't dump all the Parmesan in at once or it can clump; add it gradually while stirring and you'll get a smooth sauce instead of stringy bits.
  • The spinach releases water as it wilts, which slightly thins the sauce, so make it a little thicker than you think you want it before adding the greens.
03 -
  • Grate your Parmesan fresh and watch it melt into the sauce; pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that prevent it from becoming truly smooth and luxurious.
  • Keep the heat at medium, not high; a gentle simmer prevents the cream from breaking and the sauce from becoming grainy.
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