This family-friendly, comforting lemon gnocchi chicken is made in one pan and on the dinner table in less than 15 minutes! There is no need to precook the gnocchi; just add it to the sauce ingredients in the pan towards the end of cooking. The result is pillowy soft gnocchi smothered in a creamy, tangy lemon sauce, topped with juicy chicken seasoned with paprika and thyme. One-pan Lemon Gnocchi Chicken is the perfect pasta recipe for a quick, easy and cosy weeknight dinner. This can be a complete meal on its own, but, if you like, add a side of steamed veggies or a quick salad.
Where do you get fresh gnocchi?
Fresh gnocchi (which cooks within 2–3 minutes) is available from the refrigerator aisle at the supermarket. Cooked pasta can be used as a substitute.
Can you make One-pan Lemon Gnocchi Chicken ahead of time?
One-pan Lemon Gnocchi Chicken can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave. Not suitable to freeze.
Is One-pan Lemon Gnocchi Chicken suitable for leftovers?
One-pan Lemon Gnocchi Chicken leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
One-pan Lemon Gnocchi Chicken
“This was DELICIOUS! Loved it – will be making it again and again.” Share Pin Recipe PrintIngredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, halved lengthways horizontally to make 4 thinner steaks
- 1 tsp sea salt flakes
- ½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp freshly minced garlic
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 250 ml (1 cup) chicken stock
- 250 ml (1 cup) thickened (whipping/heavy) cream
- 100 g (1 cup) freshly grated parmesan
- 500 g (1 lb) fresh gnocchi (see note 1)
- 90 g (2 cups) baby spinach leaves
Instructions
- Sprinkle the chicken breast with salt, pepper, paprika and thyme. Rub the chicken all over with your hands so that it is evenly coated in the herb and spice mixture.
- In a large, heavy-based frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the butter.
- Once the butter has melted, add the chicken and cook for 3 minutes. Flip, place the lid on and cook for a further 3 minutes or until the chicken is completely cooked. Set aside.
- To the same pan, add the garlic. Cook, stirring, for 30 seconds.
- Add the lemon juice, chicken stock and thickened cream. Once simmering, add the parmesan and the gnocchi. Cook for 2 minutes.
- Stir through the spinach leaves, top with the cooked chicken and serve.
Nutrition information
Nutritional information on this site is calculated using Foodworks Professional, the nutrition analysis software trusted by dietitians, researchers and food manufacturers across Australia and New Zealand. Disclaimer re gluten-free and dairy-free recipes
Jessica Prowse says:
Very interested in trying this for dinner tonight. I only have chicken thighs in my fridge, will that work instead of chicken breasts?
Simple Home Edit Team says:
Hi Jessica, Yes, boneless, skinless chicken thighs would work well. You would likely need to cook them for 4–5 minutes per side to ensure they are cooked through before you set them aside to make the sauce. 😊
Karen Boyle says:
Can I use a Dutch oven instead of a frypan
Nicole says:
Hi Karen! 😊 Absolutely. A Dutch oven will work perfectly for this recipe. Just make sure it’s nice and wide so the chicken has plenty of room to brown rather than steam. Other than that, you can follow the recipe exactly as written. I hope you love it! Nic x
Kate says:
Can you use dried gnocchi instead?
Nicole says:
Hi Kate, in order for this to be cooked in one pan, you need to use the quick-cooking fresh gnocchi. However, you could cook dried gnocchi separately in a pan and mix it through the sauce at the end. 🧡 Nic x
Bev says:
Can I ask what is the pan you use
Nicole says:
Hi Bev, I’m using my Staub Chistera. You can find out more about it here. 🧡 Nic x
Trudi Wassell says:
This was so yummy, I love your recipes. They are easy and my boys love them. Thank you !!!
Nicole says:
So wonderful to hear, Trudi! Thanks for sharing. ❤️ Nic x
Caitlin says:
Nice dish! I would add a bit more lemon juice than called for since I didn’t think the taste was pronounced. I would also like the sauce to be thickened just a bit.
Nicole says:
Thanks for the feedback, Caitlin! Nic x
Michelle says:
I have been dying to make this one for a while, but never had lemons on hand 😄 so after purposely buying them for this recipe I couldn’t wait to get this one made…and OMG this is a keeper! It’s so full of flavour, the pillowy gnocchi, the perfectly cooked chicken in a divine creamy sauce… perfection 👌
Nicole says:
So thrilled you were happy with the results, Michelle! I am a BIG fan of lemon and cream together! Thanks also for the rating, Nic x
Cait says:
Easy to make and delicious. I wish the sauce thickened a bit more, but this was a great meal.
Nicole says:
Thanks for the feedback and the rating, Cait! Nic x
Stacey R says:
My fussy 4yo and 5yo loved it and so the rest of the family. It was flavourful and delicious.
I did tweak it a little as I didn’t have fresh gnocchi or the time to make from scratch. I did have frozen cauliflower gnocchi which I pan fried in the juices and oil after the chicken was cooked through. Then put aside until the recipe states to add in the gnocchi.
My kiddies only get broccoli as green veggies so I chopped up a head and stem of broccoli and added it in at the same time as adding in cream, stock etc.
Will be adding it into the rotation more often. Thanks again!
Nicole says:
Thanks so much for the feeback, Stacey … I always love a thumbs-up from little eaters! Also great hearing how you made it. Thanks also for the rating! Nic x
Renée L says:
We loved last night’s recipe so much we had to try another one! This is a beautiful dish with amazing flavour. I personally had no issues with the amount of liquid. It does seem like a lot to begin with, but it reduces to a beautiful sauce pretty quickly. The only change I made was that I left the chicken in by mistake because I misread the recipe. I would make it the same way again next time though because we loved it! Thank you so much x
c.hooge says:
My family really enjoyed this recipe. However next I will use only half a lemon, a little too tangy for our taste.
carlycronin says:
This dish was super yummy, & I loved only needing to use one pan for the entire recipe! Like a lot of the other comments, the sauce was SUPER runny/watery, so you will definitely need to add a thickener. I added cornflour in at the end & it thickened up a treat.