Creamy Crack Chicken Gnocchi (Printable Version)
Rich and creamy chicken gnocchi with crispy bacon, ranch seasoning, melted cheese, and fresh spinach.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken & Bacon
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.1 lbs), cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 5 slices bacon, chopped
→ Vegetables & Aromatics
04 - 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 2 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped
→ Gnocchi & Dairy
07 - 1 lb potato gnocchi, fresh or shelf-stable
08 - 1 cup heavy cream
09 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
10 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
11 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened
→ Seasonings
12 - 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning mix
13 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
14 - 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
15 - Salt, to taste
→ Garnish
16 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives (optional)
# Method:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped bacon and cook until crispy. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving drippings in the pan.
02 - Add chicken pieces to the pan. Season with a pinch of salt and black pepper. Cook for 5–6 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
03 - In the same skillet, add diced onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until soft. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Lower heat to medium. Add cream cheese and heavy cream, stirring until cream cheese is melted and sauce is smooth.
05 - Stir in ranch seasoning, smoked paprika, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. Mix well until cheese is melted and sauce is creamy.
06 - Add gnocchi directly to the sauce. Stir, cover, and cook for 3–4 minutes, or until gnocchi is tender (add a splash of water or broth if sauce thickens too much).
07 - Return chicken and bacon to the pan. Add chopped spinach and stir until wilted and everything is well combined. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh chives if desired.
# Chef's Tips:
01 -
- The sauce comes together so effortlessly youll feel like you pulled off something fancy
- Bacon and ranch are basically a cheat code for getting everyone to the table fast
02 -
- If the sauce thickens too much while cooking gnocchi, add just a splash of water or broth rather than more cream
- The gnocchi will continue absorbing liquid in the pan, so serve slightly looser than you think you need
03 -
- Room temperature cream cheese incorporates into the sauce much faster without leaving lumps
- Grate your own Parmesan instead of using pre-shredded cheese—it melts smoother and tastes fresher