Creamy Cozy Lemon Chicken Gnocchi One-Pot Dinner
A cozy one-pot Italian-inspired dish with tender chicken, pillowy gnocchi, and a zesty lemon cream sauce. Wilted spinach adds freshness, while tomatoes and herbs balance the richness. Ready in 30 minutes with minimal cleanup.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Total Time: 30
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Quick Recipes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Dairy-Free (with substitution), Vegetarian (with substitution)
Ingredients
2 chicken breasts (4–5 oz each)
1 lb potato gnocchi
2 cups baby spinach
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
3 garlic cloves, minced
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
1 cup chicken broth
½ cup heavy cream or coconut cream (dairy-free)
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt and black pepper to taste
Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
Heat olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium heat.
Add cubed chicken and cook 3-4 minutes until golden, season with salt and pepper.
Sauté garlic 30 seconds, then add cherry tomatoes and sauté 2 minutes.
Pour in chicken broth, lemon juice, and zest; bring to a simmer.
Stir in gnocchi and cook 6-8 minutes until softened and sauce thickens.
Add spinach and cook 1-2 minutes until wilted; stir in heavy cream or coconut cream.
Taste and adjust seasoning, garnish with fresh herbs before serving.
Notes
For dairy-free: use coconut cream. Low-sodium broth reduces overall sodium. Gnocchi absorbs flavors well—do not overcook. Can be made ahead: cook all ingredients except spinach, add at serving time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 120mg