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Ultimate 30-Minute One-Pan Creamy Crack Chicken Gnocchi with Bacon and Ranch Sauce

Close-up of creamy crack chicken gnocchi in a white bowl, topped with bacon bits and fresh parsley.
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Welcome! You need a comforting, flavorful meal ready fast. This recipe delivers the ultimate creamy crack chicken gnocchi experience using a simple one-pan method. Tender chicken, pillowy gnocchi, and a rich ranch-cream cheese sauce make this a weeknight lifesaver.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 4 slices bacon, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (16 ounce) package potato gnocchi, shelf-stable or refrigerated
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 (1 ounce) packet dry ranch seasoning mix
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, cut into cubes
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup reserved bacon grease (or more olive oil)
  • 1/2 cup water (if needed for thinning)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Season the chicken pieces lightly with salt and pepper. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving about 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the skillet. Add olive oil if you have less than 2 tablespoons of grease.
  2. Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  3. Add the seasoned chicken pieces to the skillet. Cook until browned on all sides and mostly cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  4. Stir in the dry ranch seasoning mix, chicken broth, and the gnocchi. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
  5. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the gnocchi is tender and has absorbed some liquid. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  6. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the cream cheese cubes until they melt and create a smooth, rich sauce.
  7. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until fully melted and combined. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of water until you reach your desired creamy consistency.
  8. Fold in half of the cooked, crumbled bacon. Taste and add salt or pepper if necessary.
  9. Serve the creamy crack chicken gnocchi immediately. Top each serving with the remaining crispy bacon and fresh parsley.

Notes

  • For extra flavor, use rotisserie chicken instead of raw chicken; add it in Step 6 after the sauce is made.
  • If you prefer a tangier sauce, substitute half of the cream cheese with sour cream.
  • This dish reheats well, but you may need to add a splash of milk or broth when reheating to restore the creamy texture.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://devourdish.com/creamy-crack-chicken-gnocchi-recipe/