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Ultimate 30-Minute One-Pan Creamy Crack Chicken Gnocchi with Bacon and Ranch

A close-up of creamy crack chicken gnocchi in a white bowl, topped generously with crispy bacon bits and fresh chives.
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Make this rich and comforting Creamy Crack Chicken Gnocchi for a satisfying weeknight dinner. This easy one-pan meal combines tender chicken, pillowy gnocchi, bacon, and a creamy ranch sauce for maximum flavor with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4 ounces bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1 (16-ounce) package shelf-stable or refrigerated gnocchi
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, cubed
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 packet (1 ounce) dry ranch seasoning mix
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups fresh spinach (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Season the chicken pieces lightly with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  2. Add the crumbled bacon to the same skillet and cook briefly if needed to crisp it up. Remove the bacon and set it aside with the chicken.
  3. Add the gnocchi and chicken broth to the skillet. Bring the liquid to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Cook according to gnocchi package directions, usually about 3 to 5 minutes, until the gnocchi starts to float.
  4. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the cream cheese cubes, heavy cream, and dry ranch seasoning mix. Stir constantly until the cream cheese melts and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
  5. Stir the cooked chicken back into the sauce. Add the shredded cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce coats the chicken and gnocchi.
  6. If using spinach, stir it in now and cook just until it wilts, about 1 minute.
  7. Taste the sauce and add more salt or pepper if needed. Serve immediately, topped with the reserved crumbled bacon.

Notes

  • You can use pre-cooked, shredded rotisserie chicken to save time on cooking the chicken initially.
  • For a tangier flavor, substitute half of the heavy cream with sour cream.
  • If you prefer a thicker sauce, let the mixture simmer uncovered for an extra 2 minutes before adding the cheese.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://delicerecipe.com/creamy-crack-chicken-gnocchi/