Lemon Chicken Gnocchi is a creamy one-pot dinner featuring tender chicken, pillowy gnocchi, fresh spinach, and juicy cherry tomatoes, all tossed in a zesty lemon cream sauce. This easy skillet meal combines bright citrus flavors with comforting creamy elements for a delightful, quick weeknight dinner.
Total Time:30 minutes
Yield:4 servings
Ingredients
Protein and Gnocchi
2 chicken breasts, cubed or sliced thin
1 lb potato gnocchi (store-bought or homemade)
Vegetables and Flavorings
2 cups baby spinach
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
3 garlic cloves, minced
Liquids and Seasonings
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
1 cup chicken broth
½ cup heavy cream (or coconut cream for dairy-free)
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt and black pepper to taste
Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
Prepare ingredients: Slice chicken breasts, halve cherry tomatoes, mince garlic, and gather gnocchi, chicken broth, cream, lemon juice, and zest.
Cook chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 7 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
Sauté garlic and tomatoes: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add cherry tomatoes and sauté for 2 minutes until softened.
Add liquids and lemon: Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Lower heat and stir in heavy cream, lemon zest, and lemon juice. To prevent cream from curdling, remove the skillet briefly from heat when adding lemon juice and zest.
Cook gnocchi and spinach: Add gnocchi to the skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until they are tender and cooked through. Toss in baby spinach just before finishing to allow it to wilt perfectly.
Combine and season: Return cooked chicken to the skillet, stir everything together, and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper to taste.
Garnish and serve: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or basil and serve warm.
Notes
For a dairy-free option, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream.
To prevent cream from curdling when adding lemon juice, remove skillet from heat briefly.
Use store-bought gnocchi for convenience or homemade gnocchi for a fresher taste.
Fresh herbs like basil or parsley brighten the dish and add a fresh aroma.
Spinach can be substituted with baby kale or arugula for a different leafy green flavor.
