Creamy Crack Chicken Gnocchi recipe

Creamy Crack Chicken Gnocchi is a mouth-watering combination of tender chicken, fluffy gnocchi, and a rich, creamy sauce. This dish is the epitome of comfort food, perfect for a cozy dinner at home or an impressive dish to share with guests. Let’s dive into this delightful recipe that will surely become a favorite in your kitchen.

Ingredients

To make Creamy Crack Chicken Gnocchi, you’ll need:

• Main Ingredients:
  • 1 lb chicken breasts, diced
  • 1 lb potato gnocchi
  • 4 slices bacon, chopped
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish
• Optional Ingredients for Extra Flavor:
  • 1 cup baby spinach
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped

Preparation

Prepping the Chicken:

1. Season the diced chicken with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Chopping the Vegetables:

1. While the chicken is browning, finely chop the onion and mince the garlic.

Cooking the Chicken

Browning the Chicken:

1. Add the seasoned chicken to the skillet and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken and set aside.

Creating the Base:

1. In the same skillet, add the chopped bacon and cook until crispy. Remove and set aside.
2. Add the onion and garlic to the skillet, sautéing until they become translucent.

Making the Creamy Sauce

Adding the Cream and Cheese:

1. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring well to combine.
2. Add the shredded cheddar cheese and grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and smooth.

Incorporating the Seasonings:

1. Stir in the ranch seasoning and adjust salt and pepper to taste.

Combining the Gnocchi

Cooking the Gnocchi:

1. While the sauce is simmering, cook the gnocchi according to the package instructions until they float to the top. Drain and set aside.

Mixing Everything Together:

1. Add the cooked chicken and bacon back into the skillet with the sauce.
2. Stir in the cooked gnocchi, ensuring everything is well coated in the creamy sauce.
3. If using, fold in the baby spinach and sun-dried tomatoes until combined.

Serving Suggestions

Ideal Side Dishes:

1. Serve with a fresh green salad, garlic bread, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.

Presentation Tips:

1. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and additional grated Parmesan cheese for a touch of color and flavor.

Storage Tips

Keeping Leftovers Fresh:

1. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating Instructions:

1. Reheat gently in a pot over medium heat or in the microwave until warmed through.

Variations

Using Different Meats:

1. Substitute the chicken with turkey, pork, or even shrimp for a different twist on the recipe.

Adding Different Vegetables:

1. Incorporate vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or peas to add variety and nutrition.

Tips for Success

Ensuring the Right Consistency:

1. If the sauce is too thick, add a little more chicken broth or cream to reach the desired consistency.

Balancing the Flavors:

1. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings, adding more ranch seasoning or smoked paprika if needed.

FAQs

1. Can I Use Store-Bought Gnocchi?
   • Yes, store-bought gnocchi works perfectly in this recipe and saves time.
2. How Do I Store Leftovers?
   • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
3. Can I Make This Dish Ahead of Time?
   • Yes, you can prepare the chicken and sauce ahead of time. Cook the gnocchi just before serving for the best texture.
4. How Do I Adjust the Spiciness?
   • Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or more smoked paprika to increase the spiciness to your preference.
5. Can I Make This Dish Dairy-Free?
   • Yes, substitute the heavy cream with a dairy-free alternative such as coconut milk or almond cream, and use dairy-free cheese.

Conclusion

Creamy Crack Chicken Gnocchi is a delicious and comforting dish that combines tender chicken, fluffy gnocchi, and a rich, cheesy sauce. It’s perfect for any occasion and sure to become a family favorite. Try this recipe and enjoy the wonderful flavors of creamy, cheesy goodness!

Creamy Crack Chicken Gnocchi recipe

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Creamy Crack Chicken Gnocchi is a mouth-watering combination of tender chicken, fluffy gnocchi, and a rich, creamy sauce. This dish is the epitome of comfort food, perfect for a cozy dinner at home or an impressive dish to share with guests. Let's dive into this delightful recipe that will surely become a favorite in your kitchen.

Ingredients

• 2 small uncooked chicken breasts, approx 360g (12.7oz)
• 3.5 cups (840ml) of chicken stock (low sodium)
• 75g (2.5oz) of uncooked lean smoked back bacon (fat removed), diced small
• 1 shallot, finely diced
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• ½ cup (120ml) of 2% milk
• ½ tablespoon lemon juice
• 175g of laughing cow light (or can use light cream cheese)
• ½ tablespoon of cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon of dried parsley​
• 1 teaspoon of dried chives
• 1 teaspoon of onion powder
• ½ teaspoon of dried dill
• ½ teaspoon of garlic powder
• 500g (17.5oz) of potato gnocchi (dry in a vacuum pack)
• 60g (2.2oz) of cheddar, grated (do not use pre-grated) - or Red Leicester
• olive oil spray
• salt and black pepper
• fresh chopped parsley (or can use chopped spring onions or chives)

Instructions

1. Add chicken to a saucepan fully submerged in 2 cups (480ml) of the stock, bring to a boil and then simmer for approx 10-12 minutes until cooked. Drain, remove from pan, allow chicken to cool slightly and then slice up into pieces and set aside. (If you prefer you can use the stock you poached the chicken in towards sauce for Gnocchi (but the stock must equal 360ml for the sauce).
2. While the chicken is poaching, Spray a non stick frying pan over a medium high heat with olive oil spray.
3. Add the bacon and fry until evenly golden and crisp. Set aside.
4. In the same frying pan, spray a little more olive oil spray and add the shallot and fry until lightly golden and softened.
5. Add in the minced garlic cloves and fry for 30 seconds just infuse the flavour.
6. Add the remaining stock (1.5 cups/360ml), milk, lemon juice, dried herbs, dried seasoning and laughing cow and whisk until it is all melted into the stock and no visible lumps appear. Mix the cornstarch with a couple of tablespoons of water and add this into the sauce stirring as you do.
7. Add the poached chicken and uncooked gnocchi, and bring to a boil and then let it bubble on a medium heat for 5 minutes until the gnocchi is cooked and sauce is creamy and thick. (if sauce is not thickening your heat is too low). Once gnocchi is cooked and sauce is thickened, taste and adjust seasoning with some salt and black pepper if needed.
8. Transfer to an ovenproof dish and top with the grated cheddar, place until the grill (broil) for a couple of minutes until the cheddar is melted and very lightly golden.
9. Sprinkle with the cooked golden crispy bacon and some chopped fresh parsley (or spring onions or chives).
10. Serve and Enjoy!!