Description
Comfort meets elegance in this hearty Creamy Chicken, Mushroom, Spinach and Gnocchi dish that blends rustic Italian flavors with modern culinary finesse. Warm, comforting ingredients meld together, creating a soul-satisfying meal that welcomes you to savor each luxurious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1.3 pounds (590 grams) chicken thighs, skinless and boneless
Mushrooms and Vegetables:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cremini mushrooms
- 5 ounces (142 grams) fresh spinach
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Pantry and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) potato gnocchi
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning or herbs from Provence
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- salt
- black pepper
- red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Infuse chicken thighs with a robust blend of Italian seasoning, chili powder, salt, and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring comprehensive flavor coverage.
- Preheat a high-sided skillet on medium heat for 2 minutes, creating an optimal cooking surface.
- Drizzle olive oil into the hot skillet and carefully place seasoned chicken thighs, allowing them to sear undisturbed for 5 minutes until a golden crust forms.
- Reduce heat to low-medium, flip chicken thighs, and continue cooking for an additional 5 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Extract chicken from skillet and set aside, preserving the flavorful cooking residue.
- Introduce another tablespoon of olive oil, rapidly sauté sliced mushrooms on high heat for 1-2 minutes until caramelized and tender, then remove from pan.
- Combine potato gnocchi, chicken broth, heavy cream, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and paprika directly into the skillet.
- Elevate heat to medium, bringing the mixture to a vigorous boil while stirring thoroughly, then cover and simmer gnocchi for approximately 5 minutes.
- Incorporate fresh spinach, stirring frequently for 5 minutes until leaves wilt and sauce reaches desired consistency.
- Fold in half of the previously cooked mushrooms, distributing them evenly throughout the dish.
- Enhance with additional salt, coarse black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes for personalized heat.
- Reintroduce seared chicken thighs to the skillet, garnishing with remaining mushrooms for a final flavor integration.
Notes
- Master your skillet heat to ensure perfect searing, allowing the chicken to develop a golden-brown crust without burning.
- Use a meat thermometer to check chicken doneness precisely, preventing undercooked or dry meat.
- Choose fresh, high-quality mushrooms for maximum flavor and texture in the dish.
- Adjust cooking time for gnocchi based on package instructions to achieve the ideal tender-yet-firm consistency.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or Greek yogurt to reduce calories.
- Add red pepper flakes gradually to control spice level and customize heat according to personal preference.
- Consider using gluten-free gnocchi for a celiac-friendly adaptation of the recipe.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 23 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 530 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg