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This easy one pan lemon chicken gnocchi recipe has tender pan-fried chicken and pillowy gnocchi nestled in a luxurious lemon cream parmesan sauce. It’s ready in about 30 minutes!
If you love these flavors, try my Creamy Lemon Chicken, this Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta, or my One Pan Lemon Chicken Orzo next.
Why you’ll love it
This gnocchi with pan seared chicken breasts will become a regular on your table. It’s fast, creamy, and comforting. The bright lemon sauce is really simple to make. Gnocchi might seem fancy but is actually very easy to cook with, and this is a fantastic one pan recipe.
Yes, the gnocchi cooks right in the sauce! There’s no need to boil it separately. I’ve been making my easy one pan gnocchi recipes since 2017. The one that started it all is this Creamy Mushroom and Spinach Gnocchi. Apart from resulting in fewer dishes, I think everyone appreciates a recipe like this one that just feels special without a heck of a lot of effort.
What you’ll need
- Chicken – we’re using two chicken breasts cut into four smaller cutlets so they’ll cooker faster
- Lemon pepper – for seasoning the cutlets to directly infuse tons of brightness. Lemon pepper seasoning is a blend of dried lemon zest, pepper, and sometimes includes salt and other spices. I use McCormick brand.
- Garlic powder – it’s another level of savory flavor
- Olive oil and butter – for pan frying and the base of the sauce
- Garlic – use even more if you’re a garlic lover. I use my handy garlic press to mince the cloves without the need to peel them.
- Chicken broth – for depth of flavor
- Lemon juice – always use freshly squeezed
- Heavy cream – it gives the sauce that signature luscious quality
- Gnocchi – we’re using the shelf stable potato variety. See more tips below.
- Parmesan cheese – who doesn’t love a bit of cheese?
- Spinach – it adds a pop of fresh goodness
Helpful tips
- I use the shelf-stable gnocchi that’s typically found in the dry pasta aisle, but you can also find similar in the refrigerated pasta section.
- I don’t recommend using fresh homemade gnocchi for the one pan technique as it can disintegrate as the sauce cooks since it’s generally very delicate.
- The gnocchi releasing starch is important to the thickening of the sauce, so if you opt for cauliflower gnocchi, be mindful that the sauce won’t thicken the same. Perhaps try adding a cornstarch slurry or roux to thicken it up, but we haven’t tested this.
How to make lemon chicken gnocchi
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
Cut the chicken to make four thinner cutlets, and season them with the lemon pepper and garlic powder. Pan fry until golden, and transfer to a plate. Cook the garlic, then add the broth and lemon juice. Scrape up the browned bits for extra flavor.
Stir in the cream and gnocchi. Let it bubble softly until the gnocchi is cooked through and the sauce has thickened. Take the pan off the heat, and toss with the parmesan and spinach until it wilts. Add the chicken back in.
Tools for this recipe
Check out Natasha’s favorite kitchen essentials, gadgets, and cookware!
- I use cooking tongs to make turning the chicken in the skillet effortless.
- A splatter guard is an inexpensive way to make clean-up easier.
- I think every kitchen needs an instant read thermometer. It ensures chicken isn’t overcooked or undercooked. It’s safe to eat at 165F.
- I use my Microplane to freshly grate the parmesan cheese on top for best taste and texture.
Substitutions and variations
- You may sub the chicken breasts for chicken thighs if you prefer.
- I don’t recommend subbing the cream for something like half-and-half or milk. With lower fat alternatives, the sauce is more prone to curdling from the acidity of the lemon juice. You could try using coconut milk if you’re familiar with using it, but the flavor will be different.
- You can skip the spinach if you want or use another veggie like peas to change it up.
- Your sauce may end up slightly lighter in color depending how long your chicken takes to sear/how many brown bits are left in the bottom of your skillet.
What to serve with lemon chicken gnocchi
- It’s a complete meal since it has a protein, starch, and veg, so it’s great on its own or with a dinner roll. But I’d never turn down a slice of Cheesy Garlic Bread.
- For a lighter option to pair this gnocchi with, try throwing together some mixed greens and veggies with my Homemade Italian Dressing or Creamy Balsamic Dressing.
Leftovers and storage
- Any leftovers you have will keep for a few days in the fridge in an airtight container, but keep in mind that the gnocchi will continue to release starch and thicken up the sauce over time.
- Reheat in a small saucepan over a low heat slowly. Add a splash of broth or cream to thin out the sauce if needed.
- I don’t recommend freezing chicken gnocchi leftovers. The texture may change, and cream sauces don’t do well in the freezer.
If you made this creamy lemon chicken gnocchi, I’d love it if you wrote me a review below or shared this recipe with a friend. 🙂 Tag me #saltandlavender on Instagram.
Lemon Chicken Gnocchi
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
- 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.
- 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).
- Reduce the heat to medium and add the garlic to the skillet and cook for about 30 seconds.
- Stir in the chicken broth and lemon juice and scrape up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
- 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).
- 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.
Notes
- Lemon pepper seasoning is a blend of dried lemon zest, pepper, and often salt and other spices. If you don’t have any, you can season the chicken with salt & pepper, but the overall dish will taste a bit less lemony. I use McCormick brand lemon & pepper seasoning.
- Sub the cream for something lower fat at your own discretion (I don’t recommend it). The citrus is likely to curdle lower fat alternatives.
- Chicken is safe to eat when an instant read meat thermometer reads 165F.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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This recipe is SO simple, yet so delicious! My husband and I have been married just over a decade, and he says it’s one of the top 3 meals I’ve ever made in our marriage. 😁 Will definitely be making this again!
Aww that’s nice to hear!! 😀 Thank you, Ashley!
Delicious and simple to make
Thank you, Loretta!!
So yummy, but the leftovers did not hold up well. Not sure if it was my fault, but for some reason my leftovers taste very oily. In the future would use less oil and more lemon in the sauce! Overall loved this though and will definitely be making this again.
Hi Maya! I’m glad you enjoyed it. Yes, you could definitely tweak the recipe a bit to your preferences. In general I find that creamy sauces and gnocchi don’t always reheat all that well, though. Did you reheat it slowly over a low heat as per the suggestions in the blog post? That can help the sauce stay more intact – it sounds like it may have separated a bit.
Made this tonight, didn’t change a thing, it was a huge hit. Never left a comment on any recipe in my life but this sauce was amazing! I found myself licking the spatula as I cleaned up 😂 bookmarked your site and can’t wait to try more of your recipes!
I love that!! 😀 Appreciate your review, Liz!! Let me know what else you try.
YES, I love Natasha’s page. Bookmarking it is a wonderful choice! My husband stumbled across her Creamy Sherry Chicken recipe and that is definitely a family fave here. Everything else I’ve tried from her page has been phenomenal and so easy to do!!!! Here’s to many happy and delish dishes ahead! <3
Thank you, Jessica!! 😀