Chicken Bacon Gnocchi in Creamy Parmesan Sauce Recipe
A creamy and comforting one-pan dish featuring tender chicken breast, crispy bacon, and pillowy potato gnocchi simmered in a rich garlic cream sauce, finished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon, cut into small pieces
- 2 medium chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 large clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 pound uncooked potato gnocchi
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the bacon: In a deep skillet over medium-high heat, fry the bacon pieces until crispy, about 10 minutes. Use kitchen shears to cut the bacon quickly and easily. Once done, remove the bacon from the pan, leaving about a tablespoon of bacon fat in the skillet. Discard or save the rest of the fat for another use.
- Cook the chicken: Add the bite-sized chicken pieces to the skillet with the reserved bacon fat. Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring often, until the chicken turns white on the outside. If chicken sticks to the pan, allow it a little more time to release naturally.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic, coating the chicken evenly and cooking briefly to release its aroma.
- Add liquids and seasonings: Reduce heat to medium, then pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning and stir well to combine.
- Add gnocchi and bacon: Add the uncooked potato gnocchi along with the cooked bacon to the skillet. Stir everything together thoroughly to coat the gnocchi in the cream sauce.
- Simmer covered: Cover the pan and cook for 4 minutes, allowing the gnocchi to cook through and the flavors to meld.
- Reduce sauce: Remove the lid and continue cooking uncovered for a few more minutes until the sauce has reduced and thickened to your desired consistency, stirring occasionally.
- Finish with cheese and seasoning: Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- For crispier bacon, cook a little longer or drain on paper towels after frying.
- You can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream for a lighter sauce, though it will be less rich.
- If chicken breasts are large, consider cutting into smaller pieces to ensure even cooking.
- Using fresh Parmesan cheese is key for the best flavor and smooth melting texture.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 2 days, but gnocchi may absorb sauce and become softer.
Keywords: Chicken Bacon Gnocchi, creamy chicken gnocchi, bacon and gnocchi skillet, easy one-pan dinner, Italian comfort food
