Description
A rich and comforting one-pan dish featuring tender chicken, soft potato gnocchi, and a creamy ranch-style cheese sauce—perfect for a cozy and satisfying weeknight dinner, now without bacon.
Ingredients
- 2 small uncooked chicken breasts (approx. 360 g / 12.7 oz)
- 1 shallot, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3½ cups (840 ml) low-sodium chicken stock
- ½ cup (120 ml) 2% milk
- ½ tablespoon lemon juice
- 175 g soft cheese (e.g., light cream cheese or Laughing Cow style)
- ½ tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried chives
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried dill
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 500 g (17.5 oz) dry vacuum-packed potato gnocchi
- 60 g (2.2 oz) freshly grated cheddar cheese
- Olive oil spray
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh chopped parsley or spring onions/chives for garnish
Instructions
- Bring 840 ml chicken stock to a boil in a saucepan. Add chicken breasts and simmer for 10‑12 minutes until cooked through. Let cool, then dice and set aside.
- Spray a non-stick frying pan with olive oil. Add shallot and sauté until soft and golden. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Pour remaining chicken stock into the pan. Add milk, lemon juice, parsley, chives, onion powder, dill, garlic powder, and soft cheese. Whisk until cheese is melted and smooth.
- Mix cornstarch with a few tablespoons of water to form a slurry. Stir into sauce to thicken.
- Add cooked chicken and uncooked gnocchi to the sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes until gnocchi is tender and sauce is thickened. Season with salt and pepper.
- Transfer to an oven-safe dish or use oven-safe pan. Top with grated cheddar. Broil for a few minutes until cheese is melted and golden.
- Top with chopped parsley or spring onions. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use vacuum-packed dry gnocchi for best texture.
- Stir in spinach or other veggies for added nutrition.
- Can substitute soft cheese with regular cream cheese for a richer sauce.
- Store leftovers in fridge for up to 3 days; reheat with splash of milk.
- Do not freeze as sauce may separate.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 670mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
