30-minute stovetop comfort, bacon, ranch, cheddar, and pillowy gnocchi for effortless weeknight wins.
Silky ranch cream sauce coats tender chicken and gnocchi, finished with crispy bacon and cheddar for pure home-comfort energy.
Why You’ll Love It
- True one-pot dinner: Gnocchi simmers right in the sauce—perfect for Weeknight Dinner Ideas Easy and Simple Dinners With Chicken.
- Fast & cozy: Ready in ~30 minutes for What To Do For Dinner Tonight or last-minute Fall Night Dinner Ideas.
- Crowd-pleasing flavors: Classic “crack chicken” (ranch + bacon + cheddar) = reliable Delish Dinner Recipes.
- Date-night easy: Low-stress skillet meal for Dinner Ideas To Make With Boyfriend.
- Kid-approved add-ins: Stir in sweet corn or peas for Fun Family Dinner Ideas Kids.
More easy chicken inspiration: zesty Baked Lemon Chicken Meatballs (https://spoonrecipes.com/baked-lemon-chicken-meatballs/), creamy White Pesto “Marry Me” Chicken (https://spoonrecipes.com/white-pesto-marry-me-chicken/), and fresh Greek Chicken Bowls (https://spoonrecipes.com/greek-chicken-bowls-recipe/).
Ingredients — notes only
Chicken: 1 lb boneless, skinless breasts or thighs, bite-size; rotisserie works for ultra-quick Quick Chicken Ideas For Dinner.
Bacon: 6 slices, crisped for salty crunch.
Aromatics: Butter, onion, and garlic for savory base.
Ranch + cream: Ranch seasoning (packet or homemade), cream cheese, chicken broth, and a splash of cream for a silky sauce.
Gnocchi: 1 lb shelf-stable or refrigerated; cooks in sauce = starch = natural thickener.
Cheddar & finishers: Shredded cheddar, parsley or chives, black pepper, optional red pepper flakes.
Optional veg: Handful of baby spinach or peas for color.
Step-by-Step (6–8 steps)
- Crisp bacon (6–7 min): In a large deep skillet, cook chopped bacon over medium until crisp. Scoop to a plate; leave 1 Tbsp drippings.
- Sear chicken (4–5 min): Add 1 Tbsp butter; sauté chicken with ¾ tsp kosher salt and ½ tsp pepper until mostly cooked (165°F later). Remove to a bowl.
- Aromatics (2 min): Add ½ cup diced onion; cook 1–2 min. Stir in 3 cloves minced garlic for 30 sec.
- Make it creamy (3–4 min): Add 1½ cups low-sodium chicken broth, 4 oz cream cheese (cubed), 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half), and 2–3 Tbsp ranch seasoning. Whisk until smooth.
- Simmer gnocchi (4–5 min): Stir in 1 lb gnocchi; simmer gently, stirring, until tender and sauce thickens.
- Finish (2–3 min): Return chicken (and any juices) to the pan; cook to 165°F. Stir in 1 cup shredded cheddar, most of the bacon, and a handful of spinach or peas if using.
- Taste & adjust: Add salt, pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like heat.
- Serve: Top with remaining bacon and chopped parsley/chives.
Pro Tips
- Sauce too thick? Splash in warm broth or milk. Too thin? Simmer 1–2 minutes uncovered.
- Rotisserie shortcut: Use 2–2½ cups shredded rotisserie; skip Step 2 and warm in Step 6.
- Homemade ranch: 1½ Tbsp dried parsley + 1 tsp each dried dill, granulated garlic, onion powder + ½ tsp each salt, pepper.
- Extra golden top: Broil 2–3 minutes in an oven-safe skillet to melt/bronze the cheese cap.
Variations
- Buffalo crack: Add 2–3 Tbsp buffalo sauce; swap cheddar for pepper jack.
- Mushroom spinach: Sauté 8 oz sliced mushrooms after chicken; stir in a big handful of spinach.
- Lighter creamy: Use light cream cheese + half-and-half; swap ½ cup cream for ½ cup milk.
- Gluten-free: Use GF gnocchi and confirm ranch mix is GF.
How to Serve
- Big bowls with black pepper and extra cheddar; add a bright salad or garlic bread.
- Cozy Home Comfort Food platter with roasted broccoli or green beans.
Make Ahead & Storage
- Fridge: 3–4 days in an airtight container.
- Reheat: Add a splash of broth/milk over medium-low, stirring until creamy.
- Freeze: Best not to (cream + gnocchi can split); if needed, freeze sauce + chicken only and cook gnocchi fresh.
FAQs
Can I use refrigerated gnocchi? Yes—same cook time; simmer until tender.
Sub for cream cheese? Boursin or mascarpone works; flavor will change slightly.
Can I add veggies? Yes—peas, spinach, or small broccoli florets (steam 2–3 min first).
Simple Nutrition (estimate, per 6 servings)*
| Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ~535 | ~33g | ~36g | ~30g | ~920mg |
| Estimates only; use your preferred calculator for precision. |
Classic Creamy Crack Chicken Gnocchi
A 30-minute, one-pot gnocchi skillet with ranch-creamy chicken, cheddar, and crispy bacon. Family-friendly comfort food that’s weeknight easy and wildly satisfying.
Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken (breast or thigh), bite-size pieces
- ¾ tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp black pepper (for chicken)
- ½ cup finely diced onion
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 4 oz cream cheese, cubed
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 2–3 Tbsp ranch seasoning (packet or homemade)
- 1 lb potato gnocchi (shelf-stable or refrigerated)
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 cup baby spinach or ½ cup peas (optional)
- chopped parsley or chives, for garnish
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
Equipment
- large deep skillet
- tongs
- whisk
- mixing bowl
- spatula
- measuring cups and spoons
Method
- Cook chopped bacon in a large deep skillet over medium heat until crisp. Transfer to a plate, leaving about 1 Tbsp bacon drippings in the skillet.
- Add butter to the skillet, then sauté chicken with salt and pepper until mostly cooked through. Remove to a bowl and set aside.
- Add diced onion and cook for 1–2 minutes, then add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Whisk in chicken broth, cream cheese, heavy cream, and ranch seasoning until smooth and creamy.
- Stir in gnocchi and simmer for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender and sauce begins to thicken.
- Return chicken to skillet (ensure 165°F). Stir in ¾ cup cheddar cheese, most of the bacon, and spinach or peas if using. Taste and season to preference.
- Top with remaining cheddar and bacon. Garnish with parsley or chives and a pinch of red pepper flakes if desired. Serve hot.
Nutrition
Calories: 535kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 33gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 135mgSodium: 920mgPotassium: 420mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 1000IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 180mgIron: 2mg
Notes
Shortcut: use 2–2½ cups rotisserie chicken (add in Step 6). Homemade ranch: mix 1½ Tbsp dried parsley, 1 tsp dried dill, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, and ½ tsp each salt and pepper. Internal links: Baked Lemon Chicken Meatballs, White Pesto Marry Me Chicken, and Greek Chicken Bowls (see article body for full links).
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