Description
A bright, creamy one-pan dinner with tender chicken cutlets, pillowy potato gnocchi, fresh spinach, and a zesty lemon-parmesan sauce, ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
2 large chicken breasts, halved into cutlets
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning (or a mix of dried lemon zest, pepper, and salt)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup chicken broth
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 cup heavy cream
16 oz potato gnocchi (shelf-stable, dry)
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups fresh baby spinach
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Slice chicken breasts into thinner cutlets. Season both sides with garlic powder, lemon pepper, salt, and pepper.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil and butter. Sear chicken for 5–6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in chicken broth and lemon juice, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.
- Pour in heavy cream and add uncooked gnocchi, ensuring it’s submerged. Simmer gently for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until gnocchi is tender and sauce has thickened.
- Remove from heat. Stir in Parmesan cheese and spinach until spinach wilts.
- Return chicken to the skillet, spoon sauce over the top, adjust seasoning, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Swap chicken breasts for thighs for a juicier texture.
- Substitute spinach with peas, kale, or zucchini.
- For a lighter sauce, use half-and-half or coconut cream, but note that cream prevents curdling best.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat.
- Use gluten-free gnocchi if needed.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 530
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
