Dinner

Creamy Crack Chicken Gnocchi Recipe

ByGabriel Langdon October 15, 2025October 15, 2025

Introduction

This Creamy Crack Chicken Gnocchi is a comforting, hearty dish combining tender chicken, pillowy gnocchi, and a luscious, cheesy sauce. Packed with fresh spinach and crispy bacon, it’s an easy one-pan meal perfect for busy weeknights.

The image shows a bowl filled with two layers of gnocchi in a creamy sauce. The bottom layer has pale, soft gnocchi barely covered in a smooth light beige sauce. The top layer consists of gnocchi with golden brown toasted spots and a slightly crunchy texture, sprinkled lightly with grated cheese and small green herb pieces, adding pops of color. The bowl is white with a thin dark rim and set on a white marbled surface partly covered with a cloth. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb)
16 oz fresh or frozen gnocchi
8 oz cream cheese
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
4 cups fresh spinach
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup crispy bacon bits
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Chop the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
Step 2: Heat a drizzle of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until it turns golden brown, about 5 to 7 minutes.
Step 3: Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the cream cheese and chicken broth to the skillet, stirring constantly until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Step 4: Add the gnocchi and fresh spinach to the skillet. Cover and let it simmer for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the gnocchi are tender and the spinach is wilted.
Step 5: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and crispy bacon bits until everything is melted and well combined.
Step 6: Serve the dish hot in bowls. Garnish with extra cheddar cheese if you like for added flavor.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when cooking the chicken.
Substitute the spinach with kale or frozen mixed greens if preferred.
Use smoked gouda or mozzarella in place of cheddar for a different cheese profile.
If you don’t have bacon bits, cook and crumble fresh bacon strips.

Storage

Store leftover Creamy Crack Chicken Gnocchi in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat or microwave until warmed through, adding a splash of chicken broth if the sauce thickens too much.

How to Serve

A bowl filled with around two layers of creamy gnocchi coated in a thick white cheese sauce, topped generously with golden-brown toasted cheese pieces scattered unevenly on top. Small specks of chopped green parsley are sprinkled on the surface, adding color contrast to the creamy and browned textures. The gnocchi are plump and soft, sitting in the sauce that pools slightly around them inside a white bowl with a thin dark rim. The photo is taken on a white marbled textured surface with soft natural light enhancing the food details. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen gnocchi for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen gnocchi. Just increase the simmer time slightly until the gnocchi are tender and cooked through.

Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

It’s best enjoyed fresh, but you can prepare it a day in advance and refrigerate. Reheat gently to avoid overcooking the gnocchi and spinach.