Creamy Chicken Gnocchi with Spinach is your dream dinner! This amazingly good comfort food is ready in just 30 minutes or maybe even less. Most people should enjoy this dish. My family, especially my aunt, whom I invited for dinner, was delighted with this creamy gnocchi chicken. She admitted that she very rarely eats gnocchi, but that will change soon. She said that she simply had no idea that dinner with gnocchi can taste so good.
Gnocchi goes great with chicken. And if we add spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and mascarpone to it, we will get something delicious. I decided to add the famous Italian cheese, i.e. mascarpone, to this dish. Its rich, creamy texture and subtly sweet flavor make it an interesting addition to sweet and savory dishes.
What is gnocchi and why every pasta lover should try it?
Gnocchi is not a form of pasta, but many people consider it pasta. Gnocchi is a small dumpling made out of potatoes.
Gnocchi is usually made with three ingredients: cooked potatoes, wheat flour and eggs, but there are many variations on this basic recipe.
You can make gnocchi in your kitchen, which is quite easy, but you can also buy gnocchi in most supermarkets.
There are many ways to prepare gnocchi. They go great with all sorts of sauces, herbs or even plain butter. They actually go well with a variety of meats, vegetables and cheeses. Only culinary imagination limits us when it comes to gnocchi.
While gnocchi originated in Italy ♥ and usually is made with Italian flavors, there are other forms of gnocchi that have different variations and are from other parts of Europe or South America. There is even Dia de Ñoquis — the Day of Gnocchi in Argentina. Every 29th of the month is gnocchi day in this country. Imagine how wonderful gnocchi dishes must be created there! Maybe someday I will be able to visit this beautiful country… oh…dreams…
Ingredients You Will Need To Prepare Creamy Chicken Gnocchi with Spinach!
Make sure you’re using high-quality ingredients.
Gnocchi – You can make them at home using basic ingredients or you can buy them at a local supermarket. If you want to save time, buy gnocchi at the supermarket. Prepare them strictly according to the instructions on the package. Gnocchi may get too soft and they may fall apart if they’re boiled too long.
Chicken Breasts – You need boneless skinless chicken breasts.
Mascarpone Cheese – Mascarpone cheese adds a sweet, rich, and creamy texture to the sauce.
Whipping Cream/ Light whipping cream – Whipping cream contains between 30 to 36% milk fat. Note that this type of cream may have different names depending on the country you live in. You can substitute it with heavy whipping cream.
Baby Spinach – Baby spinach is young spinach and it goes great with creamy sauce.
Sun-dried tomatoes – Sun-dried tomatoes have an intense sweet and sour flavor that is much stronger than fresh tomatoes.
Broth/Stock (preferably reduced salt) – Broth is a better choice when you want to let other flavors shine.
Garlic – Garlic enriches the taste of the dish, so it is worth using it.
Dried Oregano Leaves – Oregano is a herb used to flavor food. It’s commonly used in Italian and Greek cuisine. You can substitute dried oregano with Italian seasoning. But you have to know that oregano and Italian seasoning are not the same things. Italian seasoning is typically a blend of herbs like oregano, thyme, basil, rosemary, and marjoram.
Unsalted Butter – You need unsalted butter to fry a chicken pieces.
Olive Oil – You can add olive oil to the butter so that the butter doesn’t burn.
Salt and pepper – Salt and pepper enhance and add flavor.
How to make Creamy Chicken Gnocchi with Spinach
STEP 1
Cook the gnocchi according to the instructions on the package. Remember not to cook the gnocchi for too long, because they will be too soft and may fall apart.
STEP 2
Cut the boneless and skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Heat the olive oil in a frying pan and then melt the unsalted butter in it. When the butter has completely melted, add the diced chicken breasts and cook for a few minutes over medium heat until ready. At this point, you can add fresh ground pepper.
While the chicken is frying in the pan, grate the garlic cloves. You can also chop them finely with a knife.
When the chicken pieces are almost cooked, make some space in the middle of the pan and add grated garlic. Fry the garlic for about 30 seconds, then mix it with the chicken.
STEP 3
Add the oregano and the broth to the chicken breast. When the broth starts to boil gently, add the mascarpone cheese and mix well with all the ingredients. When the mascarpone and the broth start to boil gently, add the whipping cream. Stir until you get a smooth, creamy sauce. Simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally until sauce thickens, about 10 – 15 minutes.
STEP 4
When the sauce thickens, add the sun-dried tomatoes and spinach and mix everything carefully. Then add the cooked gnocchi, mix well with the sauce and cook over low heat for about a minute or two. Now Creamy Chicken Gnocchi with Spinach is ready to serve!
Creamy Chicken Gnocchi with Spinach – Printable Recipe
Please read the recipe carefully before you start preparing the dish. It will be best if you watch the video added in the blog post.
Creamy Chicken Gnocchi with Spinach and Mascarpone Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 lb/500 g gnocchi standard potatoes gnocchi package/box
- 1 lb/500 g boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 7-8 oz/170-200 g fresh baby spinach
- 8-9 oz/250 g mascarpone cheese standard mascarpone package
- 5 oz/150 g sun-dried tomatoes
- 1/2 cup /120 g whipping cream or heavy whipping cream
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup/250 ml chicken broth or stock low sodium, you can use vegetable broth or stock
- 4 cloves of garlic
- 1 tsp dried oreagano or Italian seasonings
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Cook gnocchi according to package instructions. Don't cook the gnocchi for too long – they may fall apart.
- Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces.
- Heat the olive oil in a pan over low or medium heat. Add butter. When the butter has completely melted, add the diced chicken breasts.
- Cook diced chicken breasts over medium heat until golden. At this point you can add fresh ground pepper.
- While the chicken pieces are frying in the pan, peel and grate the garlic cloves. When the chicken breasts are almost cooked, make some space in the middle of the pan and add grated garlic. Fry the garlic for about 30 seconds, them mix it with the chicken pieces.
- Add oregano or Italian seasoning and broth/stock to the chicken pieces and mix. When the broth/stock starts to boil gently, add mascarpone cheese and mix. When broth/stock and mascarpone cheese starts to boil gently, add whipping cream and mix. Simmer the sauce uncovered until it thickens, about 10-15 minutes, stirring occassionally.
- When the sauce is ready add sun-dried tomatoes and spinach baby and mix everything carefully. Spinach baby leaves should lose their volume and wilt.
- Add cooked gnocchi, mix well with the sauce and cook over low heat for minute or two.
Notes
The recipe calls for a store-bought gnocchi,
but you can make gnocchi yourself using the basic recipe.
Homemade gnocchi are even better.
