Easy Creamy Cajun Chicken Gnocchi Skillet Dinner Recipe
Dive into a flavorful and comforting Creamy Cajun Chicken & Gnocchi Skillet that comes together in one pan. This dish combines tender chicken, pillowy gnocchi, and a rich creamy sauce for a satisfying meal any night of the week.
- Author: Bluebella
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: Cajun
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped (any color)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
- 1 cup chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian option)
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter sauce)
- 1 package shelf-stable potato gnocchi
- Salt, to taste
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
- Freshly grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese, optional
- Cut the boneless, skinless chicken into uniform bite-sized pieces, about 1-inch cubes.
- Heat a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil or butter.
- Once shimmering, add the cubed chicken, season with salt and Cajun seasoning, and sear for about 3-5 minutes until golden brown and mostly cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Lower the heat to medium and add the chopped onion and bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes until softened.
- Add the minced garlic and remaining Cajun seasoning, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the skillet to deglaze. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Stir in the heavy cream and continue to stir until well combined and slightly thickened.
- Carefully add the gnocchi directly into the simmering sauce, ensuring they are submerged. Cover and cook for 5-7 minutes until tender.
- Once the gnocchi are tender, return the seared chicken to the skillet and stir to combine. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
- If using, stir in fresh spinach until wilted. Serve immediately, garnished with parsley and cheese if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
Keywords: Adjust spice levels by starting with less Cajun seasoning and adding more to taste. For added vegetables, consider stirring in baby spinach, diced celery, or sliced mushrooms during cooking.