Lemon Chicken Gnocchi: A Flavorful, Easy Weeknight Meal 🍋🐔🍝
Looking for a delicious and quick weeknight dinner that combines zesty lemon, tender chicken, and pillowy gnocchi? This Lemon Chicken Gnocchi recipe is the perfect solution. With a creamy sauce that’s full of flavor and a touch of freshness from baby spinach, this dish will quickly become a family favorite. Plus, it’s all done in just 30 minutes!
Ingredients
- 2 large chicken breasts 🍗
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 🧄
- 1 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning 🍋🌶️ (see note)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil 🫒
- 1 tablespoon butter 🧈
- 2 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
- 1/2 cup chicken broth 🍲
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice 🍋
- 1 cup heavy/whipping cream 🥛
- 1 pound uncooked potato gnocchi 🥔🍝
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese 🧀
- 2 cups (packed) fresh baby spinach 🌿
- Salt & pepper to taste 🧂
Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare the Chicken:
Start by cutting the chicken breasts in half lengthwise to create 4 thinner cutlets. Season each side of the chicken with garlic powder and lemon pepper seasoning. If your lemon pepper seasoning doesn’t contain salt, be sure to add a pinch of salt to the chicken as well. 🍗🧂
2️⃣ Cook the Chicken:
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and butter over medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot, add the chicken cutlets and sear them for about 5-6 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and fully cooked through. Once done, transfer the chicken to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm. 🔥🥘
3️⃣ Sauté the Garlic:
Lower the heat to medium, then add the minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté the garlic for about 30 seconds until it becomes fragrant. 🧄⏲️
4️⃣ Make the Sauce:
Pour in the chicken broth and lemon juice, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan. This adds extra flavor to your sauce. 🍲🍋
5️⃣ Cook the Gnocchi:
Stir in the heavy cream and add the uncooked potato gnocchi to the skillet. Make sure the gnocchi is fully submerged in the sauce. Let the mixture bubble gently, uncovered, for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gnocchi is cooked and the sauce has thickened. The gnocchi will release starch as it cooks, which will naturally thicken the sauce. Remember, the sauce will continue to thicken as it cools, so avoid overcooking. If it becomes too thick, simply add a splash more broth. 🍝🔥
6️⃣ Finish the Dish:
Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the freshly grated parmesan cheese and baby spinach. Toss until the spinach is slightly wilted and everything is well combined. Add the cooked chicken back into the skillet, spooning some of the sauce over the top. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately, garnished with extra parmesan if desired. 🧀🌿🍗
Notes
- Lemon Pepper Seasoning: If your lemon pepper seasoning doesn’t contain salt, be sure to add a pinch of salt to the chicken.
Quick Details
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Calories: Approximately 400 kcal per serving
- Servings: 4 servings
This Lemon Chicken Gnocchi is the perfect balance of creamy, zesty, and savory, making it a delightful meal that’s sure to impress. Whether you’re cooking for your family or hosting friends, this dish is guaranteed to be a hit. Enjoy! 🍋🐔🍝
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Lemon Chicken Gnocchi 🍋🐔🍝
- Total Time: 30min
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
2 large chicken breasts 🍗
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 🧄
1 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning 🍋🌶️ (see note)
1 tablespoon olive oil 🫒
1 tablespoon butter 🧈
2 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
1/2 cup chicken broth 🍲
1 tablespoon lemon juice 🍋
1 cup heavy/whipping cream 🥛
1 pound uncooked potato gnocchi 🥔🍝
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese 🧀
2 cups (packed) fresh baby spinach 🌿
Salt & pepper to taste 🧂
Instructions
1️⃣ Cut the chicken in half lengthwise so you’ve got 4 thinner cutlets. Season each side with the garlic powder and lemon pepper. If the lemon pepper seasoning you’re using doesn’t contain salt, be sure to salt the chicken as well. 🍗🧂
2️⃣ Add the oil and butter to a skillet over medium-high heat and let the pan heat up for a few minutes. Sear the chicken for about 5-6 minutes/side or until it’s golden and cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate (tent with foil to keep warm if you wish). 🔥🥘
3️⃣ Reduce the heat to medium and add the garlic to the skillet and cook for about 30 seconds. 🧄⏲️
4️⃣ Stir in the chicken broth and lemon juice and scrape up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan. 🍲🍋
5️⃣ Add in the cream and gnocchi. Give it a good stir and ensure the gnocchi is submerged in the liquid. Let it bubble gently, uncovered, for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the gnocchi is cooked and the sauce has thickened. The gnocchi will release starch as it cooks, thickening up the sauce, so do not pre-cook the gnocchi. Keep in mind the sauce will thicken more as it cools, so don’t let it get too thick (add a splash more broth if needed). 🍝🔥
6️⃣ Take the pan off the heat and add in the parmesan cheese and spinach. Toss until the spinach has started to wilt and it’s nicely mixed in. Add the chicken back into the skillet (along with any juices from the plate) and spoon some sauce over top. Season with salt & pepper as needed and serve immediately. 🧀🌿🍗
- Prep Time: 10min
- Cook Time: 20min
Nutrition
- Calories: 400 Kcal