Rustic Tuscan Chicken & Gnocchi Recipe with Garden Veggies
Creamy, comforting tuscan chicken with gnocchi dances with vibrant flavors that transport you straight to the heart of Italy.
Tender chicken nestled among pillowy gnocchi creates a luxurious Mediterranean-inspired feast.
Spinach and artichokes weave their verdant magic through this decadent dish.
Sun-dried tomatoes burst with tangy sweetness, adding depth to every delightful bite.
Delicate herbs and rich cream sauce envelop each ingredient in pure culinary bliss.
This one-pan wonder comes together effortlessly, promising restaurant-quality dinner in your own kitchen.
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Main Protein:Starches:Vegetables and Aromatics:Seasonings:Liquid and Sauce Components:Garnish:Make Tuscan Chicken Gnocchi Step-By-Step
Step 1: Prep The Chicken
Grab chicken thighs and generously coat them with Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Let the spices dance across the meat, creating a flavor foundation.
Step 2: Sear The Chicken
Heat a sturdy skillet over medium temperature.
Pour olive oil and carefully place chicken thighs.
Allow them to sizzle undisturbed for 5 minutes, developing a beautiful golden crust.
Step 3: Complete Chicken Cooking
Flip chicken thighs, reduce heat slightly.
Cook another 5 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Remove perfectly cooked chicken and set aside.
Step 4: Build The Sauce Base
In the same skillet, toss in:Stir ingredients quickly to coat and release aromatics.
Step 5: Create Creamy Liquid
Pour in:Bring mixture to gentle boil while stirring consistently.
Step 6: Cook Gnocchi
Cover skillet and let gnocchi simmer for approximately 5 minutes until tender.
Step 7: Add Greens And Vegetables
Introduce:Cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently until spinach wilts beautifully.
Step 8: Final Assembly
Return chicken to skillet, warming gently.
Sprinkle red pepper flakes and fresh thyme on top for a vibrant finish.
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FAQs
The combination of sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, garlic, and heavy cream creates the rich, tangy Tuscan-style taste that makes this dish special.
Yes, the entire dish is prepared in a single skillet, making it convenient for cooking and cleanup with minimal dishes to wash afterward.
While gnocchi works best for this recipe, you could substitute with small pasta like penne or shells if needed, though the texture and cooking time might slightly vary.
Use a meat thermometer to check that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part to ensure it’s safe to eat.
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Tuscan Chicken, Gnocchi, Spinach, Artichokes, Sun-dried Tomatoes Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Succulent Tuscan chicken dances with pillowy gnocchi, embracing a Mediterranean melody of spinach, artichokes, and sun-dried tomatoes. Rich flavors weave together, inviting you to savor each creamy, herb-infused bite of this Italian-inspired comfort classic.
Ingredients
Proteins:
- 1.5 lbs (680 grams) skinless boneless chicken thighs
- 6 cloves garlic minced
Dry Seasonings:
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1.5 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Main Ingredients:
- 16 oz (454 grams) potato gnocchi
- 5 oz (142 grams) fresh spinach
- 7 oz (198 grams) canned artichoke hearts chopped
- 4 oz (113 grams) sun-dried tomatoes packed in olive oil but drained
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) chicken broth
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
Instructions
- Infuse chicken thighs with robust Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and cracked black pepper for maximum flavor penetration.
- Preheat a sturdy skillet over medium heat for precise temperature control.
- Drizzle olive oil and gently place seasoned chicken thighs, allowing uninterrupted searing for 5 minutes to develop a golden crust.
- Reduce heat to low-medium, flip chicken, and continue cooking approximately 5 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Transfer perfectly cooked chicken from skillet, reserving flavorful pan remnants.
- Introduce uncooked gnocchi, sun-dried tomatoes, and minced garlic into the same skillet, quickly coating ingredients for maximum flavor absorption.
- Pour chicken broth and heavy cream, incorporating Italian seasoning and paprika to create a rich, velvety sauce.
- Elevate heat to medium, bringing liquid to a gentle boil while stirring consistently, then cover and simmer gnocchi for 5 minutes.
- Fold fresh spinach and artichokes into the simmering mixture, cooking 5 minutes until spinach wilts and vegetables become tender.
- Reintegrate seared chicken into the skillet, warming gently and finishing with red pepper flakes and freshly chopped thyme for a vibrant, aromatic presentation.
Notes
- Sear chicken confidently by ensuring the skillet is hot before adding oil and meat for a beautiful golden-brown crust.
- Choose high-quality chicken thighs with even thickness to guarantee uniform cooking and prevent dry edges.
- Consider using pre-cooked gnocchi for faster preparation if time is limited, reducing overall cooking duration.
- Swap heavy cream with coconut milk or Greek yogurt for lighter, dairy-free alternatives that maintain creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 536 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 310 mg
- Fat: 31 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg
Natalie Brooks
Co-Founder & Content Strategist
Expertise
Education
eCornell
Natalie brings the vibrant, plant-powered side to Culinary Duo. After earning her Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate from eCornell, she combined her love for fresh ingredients with a passion for storytelling, aiming to make healthy cooking simple and satisfying.
Her kitchen motto: good food doesn’t need a fancy label, it just needs fresh ideas and a little creativity. Outside of writing and recipe testing, Natalie’s happiest in her garden, exploring farmers’ markets, or mixing global flavors into new kitchen experiments.