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High-Protein Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 148 reviews

This High-Protein Creamy Chicken Gnocchi recipe is a comforting, flavorful dish that combines tender chicken breasts, crispy bacon, and pillowy gnocchi in a rich, cheesy sauce made with cottage cheese, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Enhanced with fragrant herbs and fresh spinach, it offers a delicious meal packed with protein and creamy textures perfect for a satisfying dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Cheese Sauce

  • 1 1/4 cups whole milk cottage cheese
  • 3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 3 oz. mozzarella, shredded (about 3/4 cup)
  • 2 oz. Parmesan, finely grated (about 1 cup)

Chicken and Bacon

  • 4 slices bacon (about 4 oz.), cut into 1/2″ pieces
  • 3 (6-oz.) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 tsp kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Vegetables and Seasonings

  • 1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth, divided (3/4 cup + 1/2 cup + 1/4 cup)
  • 1 shallot, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves
  • 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 (17-oz.) package gnocchi
  • 4 cups (about 4 oz.) fresh spinach

Instructions

  1. Prepare Cottage Cheese Sauce: In a blender, combine the whole milk cottage cheese and 3/4 cup of the low-sodium chicken broth. Blend on high speed until smooth, about 30 to 60 seconds. Set this creamy mixture aside for later use.
  2. Cook Bacon: Place the bacon pieces in a single layer in a large, cold skillet. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the bacon becomes crispy and browned, about 7 to 9 minutes. Remove the bacon to a plate and leave the rendered fat in the skillet.
  3. Sear Chicken: Season both sides of the chicken breasts with 1 teaspoon kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Arrange the chicken in a single layer in the skillet with the bacon fat. Cook over medium heat, turning occasionally, until browned on both sides but not fully cooked through, approximately 6 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to a separate plate.
  4. Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet over medium heat, add the finely chopped shallot and 1 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until the shallot is translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the minced garlic, fresh thyme leaves, and crushed red pepper flakes, cooking until fragrant for about 1 minute. Pour in 1/2 cup chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the pan to deglaze and lift all the browned bits.
  5. Simmer Chicken: Bring the mixture to a simmer. Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, cover, and let simmer until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F as measured by an instant-read thermometer, about 4 to 6 minutes. Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a clean cutting board and cover to keep warm.
  6. Finish Sauce and Cook Gnocchi: Return the sauce in the skillet to a simmer uncovered and continue cooking until most of the liquid has evaporated and the sauce thickens. Stir in the reserved cottage cheese mixture and bring back to a simmer. Add the gnocchi and cook while stirring until they become tender, about 2 to 3 minutes. Fold in the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan until melted, then add the fresh spinach and stir until wilted and tender. If the sauce feels too thick, add the remaining 1/4 cup chicken broth. Finally, fold in three-quarters of the cooked bacon and adjust seasoning with salt if necessary.
  7. Serve: Slice the cooked chicken breasts crosswise into bite-sized pieces and return them to the skillet. Season with additional black pepper to taste. Gently fold to combine and serve warm, garnished with the reserved bacon.

Notes

  • Using low-sodium chicken broth helps control the dish’s overall salt content.
  • Be careful not to overcook the chicken during searing; it will finish cooking during the simmer phase to remain juicy.
  • If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the crushed red pepper flakes to your taste.
  • For a lighter version, you can substitute part of the mozzarella with a lower-fat cheese.
  • Gnocchi cooks very quickly; watch carefully to avoid overcooking them as they can become mushy.

Keywords: high-protein chicken gnocchi, creamy chicken gnocchi, cheesy chicken gnocchi, bacon chicken gnocchi, comfort food chicken recipes

Find it online: https://flavorsbymaya.com/high-protein-creamy-chicken-gnocchi-recipe/