Can I double this for a crowd?

Yes, the recipe yields four servings. Plan to prepare multiple batches to serve larger groups. Too many pieces of chicken in the skillet at once will keep them from browning and make it hard to keep gnocchi covered with sauce. Prepare multiple batches in a large skillet using the same techniques. You can serve additional batches of chicken and any juices on their serving plates.

Can I leave out the spinach?

Yes, you can omit the spinach because it is optional. The dish will consist of chicken, gnocchi, and lemon sauce without a green vegetable side dish. An alternative to spinach is peas, which will change the texture and color of the dish. Consider adding Parmesan cheese off heat so the cheese is evenly distributed before returning the chicken.

Can I use chicken thighs instead?

Chicken thighs can be used instead of chicken breasts if preferred. Chicken thighs will affect the texture and cooking time of the dish compared with chicken breast cutlets. Chicken thighs must be seared until cooked through, not cooked according to package directions. Do not discard the browned bits in the pan, as they will flavor the broth and lemon juice.

How do I store and reheat leftovers?

Store leftover gnocchi in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a few days. Leftover gnocchi will release more starch and thicken the sauce. When reheating leftovers, do so slowly to prevent overcooking. Thin the sauce with broth or cream if needed once reheated.

Can I freeze chicken gnocchi?

No, you shouldn't freeze leftover chicken gnocchi. The gnocchi texture may change after freezing and thawing, and cream sauces don't freeze well. It would be better to store leftovers in the refrigerator. To help other family members use leftovers throughout the week if their dinner plans change, you might package leftovers in smaller amounts for refrigeration.

Lemon Chicken Gnocchi with Creamy Parmesan Sauce

By Mason BrooksOct 4, 2026

Prep

10 min

Cook

20 min

Total

30 min

Servings

Level

Easy

Jump to recipe

Lemon Chicken Gnocchi is an easy weeknight meal combining pan-seared chicken cutlets and store-bought dry gnocchi in one skillet. Serve with spinach and a Parmesan sauce mixed with lemon juice. Lemon Chicken Gnocchi is a hearty and delicious meal.

Lemon Chicken Gnocchi with Creamy Parmesan Sauce

Chicken breasts are sliced into four cutlets and seasoned with garlic and lemon pepper. Chicken is cooked in a pan with olive oil and butter. After removing the chicken from the pan, garlic, chicken broth, and fresh lemon juice are added to the pan to deglaze it. Heavily processed cream products, raw gnocchi, fresh Parmesan cheese, and baby spinach are added to the pan. A shelf-stable gnocchi product was used in this one-dish recipe.

As the gnocchi cooks, starch from the gnochi and sauce thickens the sauce to coat the gnochi; the spinach will be partially cooked after removing the dish from the heat. Many cooks overcook the gnochi and sauce, which may thicken further as the dish cools; broth or other liquid can be added to reduce thickness if needed.

Add shredded Parmesan cheese and raw spinach to the pan. Put the chicken and other juices from the plate back in the pan. Top the chicken cutlets with sauce. Pan drippings left on the bottom of the pan will enhance the sauce when added to the pan with broth and lemon juice.

Why you'll love this recipe

One skillet is useful for weekday meals because it can be used to cook the chicken, sauce, and gnocchi, eliminating the need for a separate pot of boiling water.
Families like chicken and spinach and gnocchi prepared together.
Skillet meals offer protein and starch and vegetables without needing other side dishes.
Fresh lemon juice and lemon pepper seasoning complement the Parmesan cream sauce, giving the chicken cutlets a clear citrus edge.
Novice gnocchi cooks can check if their gnocchi are done by watching for bubbles in the sauce, since gnocchi are cooked directly in cream sauce.
Leftover meals can be eaten for several days, Reheating on the stovetop and adding broth or cream to leftover dishes can help loosen the thick sauce.
Guests enjoy golden brown cutlets and cheese on a skillet, The recipe includes basic home cooking techniques rather than restaurant-style techniques.

Instructions

Cut the chicken in half lengthwise to make 4 thinner cutlets.

Season each side of the chicken with the garlic powder and lemon pepper. If the lemon pepper seasoning does not contain salt, salt the chicken as well.

Add the olive oil and butter to a skillet over medium-high heat and let the pan heat for a few minutes.

Sear the chicken for about 5-6 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through.

Transfer the chicken to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm, if desired.

Reduce the heat to medium, add the garlic to the skillet, and cook for about 30 seconds.

Stir in the chicken broth and lemon juice.

Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

Add the cream and gnocchi, stir well, and ensure the gnocchi is submerged in the liquid.

Let the mixture bubble gently, uncovered, for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gnocchi is cooked and the sauce has thickened.

Take the skillet off the heat and add the Parmesan cheese and spinach.

Toss until the spinach has started to wilt and is nicely mixed in.

Add the chicken and any juices from the plate back to the skillet, then spoon sauce over the chicken.

Season with salt and pepper as needed and serve immediately.

FAQ

Yes, it is a full entree with chicken, gnocchi, and spinach. Other dishes that can be served with the sauce include dinner rolls and garlic-buttered cheese bread. On lighter days, you might offer a side salad with vegetables. Other complex side dishes may distract from the lemon-Parmesan sauce. Serve the skillet dinner immediately; the sauce will thicken when cooled.

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Dinner Pasta Chicken Quick Meals One Pot

Lemon Chicken Gnocchi with Creamy Parmesan Sauce

Name: Lemon Chicken Gnocchi with Creamy Parmesan Sauce
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 2 large chicken breasts; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning (see note); 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 tablespoon butter; 2 cloves garlic (minced); 1/2 cup chicken broth; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 1 cup heavy/whipping cream; 1 pound uncooked potato gnocchi; 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated); 2 cups fresh baby spinach (packed); salt & pepper (to taste)

By Mason BrooksOct 4, 2026

Prep

10 min

Cook

20 min

Total

30 min

Servings

Level

Easy

Jump to recipe

Why you'll love this recipe

One skillet is useful for weekday meals because it can be used to cook the chicken, sauce, and gnocchi, eliminating the need for a separate pot of boiling water.
Families like chicken and spinach and gnocchi prepared together.
Skillet meals offer protein and starch and vegetables without needing other side dishes.
Fresh lemon juice and lemon pepper seasoning complement the Parmesan cream sauce, giving the chicken cutlets a clear citrus edge.
Novice gnocchi cooks can check if their gnocchi are done by watching for bubbles in the sauce, since gnocchi are cooked directly in cream sauce.
Leftover meals can be eaten for several days, Reheating on the stovetop and adding broth or cream to leftover dishes can help loosen the thick sauce.
Guests enjoy golden brown cutlets and cheese on a skillet, The recipe includes basic home cooking techniques rather than restaurant-style techniques.

Ingredients

Servings4

•2 large chicken breasts
•½ teaspoon garlic powder
•1 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning (see note)
•1 tablespoon olive oil
•1 tablespoon butter
•2 cloves garlic (minced)
•½ cup chicken broth
•1 tablespoon lemon juice
•1 cup heavy/whipping cream
•1 pound uncooked potato gnocchi
•½ cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
•2 cups fresh baby spinach (packed)
•salt & pepper (to taste)

Instructions

1
Cut the chicken in half lengthwise to make 4 thinner cutlets.
2
Season each side of the chicken with the garlic powder and lemon pepper. If the lemon pepper seasoning does not contain salt, salt the chicken as well.
3
Add the olive oil and butter to a skillet over medium-high heat and let the pan heat for a few minutes.
4
Sear the chicken for about 5-6 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through.
5
Transfer the chicken to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm, if desired.
6
Reduce the heat to medium, add the garlic to the skillet, and cook for about 30 seconds.
7
Stir in the chicken broth and lemon juice.
8
Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
9
Add the cream and gnocchi, stir well, and ensure the gnocchi is submerged in the liquid.
10
Let the mixture bubble gently, uncovered, for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gnocchi is cooked and the sauce has thickened.
11
Take the skillet off the heat and add the Parmesan cheese and spinach.
12
Toss until the spinach has started to wilt and is nicely mixed in.
13
Add the chicken and any juices from the plate back to the skillet, then spoon sauce over the chicken.
14
Season with salt and pepper as needed and serve immediately.