Can I cook the gnocchi separately before adding it to Crack Chicken Gnocchi?

While you can cook gnocchi separately, this recipe benefits from cooking the gnocchi directly in the sauce because the starch released helps thicken the sauce for a creamy texture. If you choose to cook gnocchi separately, the sauce may be thinner and less cohesive. Using store-bought vacuum-packed dry potato gnocchi works best for this method. For fresh gnocchi, it's better to add it to the sauce near the end, cooking just a few minutes to avoid disintegration.

What type of chicken works best for Crack Chicken Gnocchi?

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs are ideal for this recipe. Thighs provide more moisture and tenderness, while breasts offer leaner meat. You can cook the chicken beforehand by boiling, baking, or pan-searing, then shred or cube it before adding to the sauce. Using cooked chicken speeds up the process and ensures the meat is tender within the creamy gnocchi mixture.

How long does it take to make Crack Chicken Gnocchi from start to finish?

This dish typically takes about 25 to 30 minutes to prepare. Cooking the chicken takes roughly 10 to 15 minutes, while the sauce and gnocchi cook in around 10 minutes. This quick cooking time makes it suitable for weeknight dinners when you need a filling yet fast meal.

Is Crack Chicken Gnocchi gluten-free?

Most store-bought gnocchi contain wheat flour, so the traditional recipe is not gluten-free. However, you can substitute with gluten-free gnocchi varieties made from potatoes or alternative flours. Always check the labels to ensure no gluten-containing ingredients are present, especially in prepackaged gnocchi.

Can I add vegetables to Crack Chicken Gnocchi to make it healthier?

Yes, adding vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or broccoli can boost the nutrition of the dish without altering the core flavors significantly. Add quick-cooking vegetables towards the end of the sauce preparation to keep their texture and color, or sauté them separately and stir in before serving for extra freshness and vitamins.

Crack Chicken Gnocchi Recipe With Creamy Garlic Sauce

Name: Crack Chicken Gnocchi
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: – 2 small uncooked chicken breasts (approximately 360g); – 3.5 cups (840ml) of low sodium chicken stock; – 75g of uncooked lean smoked back bacon diced small (fat removed); – 1 finely diced shallot; – 2 cloves of minced garlic; – ½ cup (120ml) of 2% milk; – ½ tablespoon lemon juice; – 175g of light cream cheese; – ½ tablespoon cornstarch; – 1 teaspoon parsley; – 1 teaspoon chives; – 1 teaspoon onion powder; – ½ teaspoon dill; – ½ teaspoon garlic powder; – 500g of dry potato gnocchi; – 60g of grated cheddar cheese; – Olive oil spray; – Salt, to taste; – Black pepper, to taste; – Fresh chopped parsley or spring onions, for garnish

Description

🍽️ Crack Chicken Gnocchi is a comforting, creamy dish featuring tender gnocchi and juicy poached chicken, perfect for satisfying meals.
🧄 The rich garlic-infused ranch-style sauce combined with smoky bacon creates a flavorful, hearty dinner experience.

Ingredients

– 2 small uncooked chicken breasts (approximately 360g)

– 3.5 cups (840ml) of low sodium chicken stock

– 75g of uncooked lean smoked back bacon diced small (fat removed)

– 1 finely diced shallot

– 2 cloves of minced garlic

– ½ cup (120ml) of 2% milk

– ½ tablespoon lemon juice

– 175g of light cream cheese

– ½ tablespoon cornstarch

– 1 teaspoon parsley

– 1 teaspoon chives

– 1 teaspoon onion powder

– ½ teaspoon dill

– ½ teaspoon garlic powder

– 500g of dry potato gnocchi

– 60g of grated cheddar cheese

– Olive oil spray

– Salt, to taste

– Black pepper, to taste

– Fresh chopped parsley or spring onions, for garnish

Instructions

1-Getting started: Getting started with Crack Chicken Gnocchi is all about following a few straightforward steps that lead to a delicious result. First, you’ll poach the chicken breasts in 2 cups (480ml) of the low sodium chicken stock until they’re fully cooked, which takes about 10-15 minutes, then slice them up. This keeps the chicken tender and juicy, setting the base for the dish.

2-Cook the bacon and sauté aromatics: Next, cook the 75g of diced lean smoked back bacon in a pan until it’s nice and crisp, which adds that smoky crunch we all love. While that’s happening, sauté the 1 finely diced shallot and 2 cloves of minced garlic in a bit of olive oil spray until they’re fragrant and soft. Then, mix in the remaining stock (adjusted to 360ml), along with the ½ cup (120ml) of 2% milk, ½ tablespoon lemon juice, 175g of light cream cheese, and the herb blend: 1 teaspoon each of parsley, chives, and onion powder, plus ½ teaspoon each of dill and garlic powder.

3-Thicken and simmer: To thicken the sauce, stir in the ½ tablespoon of cornstarch and let it simmer until smooth. Add the poached chicken and 500g of uncooked dry potato gnocchi to the sauce, then simmer everything together until the gnocchi is cooked through and the sauce thickens up, about 5-10 minutes. Finally, transfer the mixture to an ovenproof dish, top it with 60g of grated cheddar cheese, and grill until the cheese melts and browns beautifully. Garnish with the cooked bacon and fresh chopped parsley or spring onions before serving immediately.

Notes

🥓 Use lean smoked bacon for a smoky flavor with less fat.
🧄 Freshly minced garlic can enhance garlic sauce flavor.
⏰ Cook gnocchi just until tender to avoid mushiness during baking.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Poaching, Sautéing, Simmering, Grilling
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 530
Sugar: 6 g
Sodium: 905 mg
Fat: 14 g
Saturated Fat: 7 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 58 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 44 g
Cholesterol: 146 mg

Keywords: crack chicken gnocchi, creamy garlic sauce, bacon gnocchi, comforting dinner