Crack Chicken Gnocchi

Featured in Center of the plate recipes.

This Crack Chicken Gnocchi transforms simple ingredients into an irresistibly creamy comfort dish. The recipe combines tender poached chicken and pillowy potato gnocchi in a rich ranch-style sauce made with laughing cow cheese, herbs, and seasonings. Crispy bacon adds texture while melted cheddar creates a golden top. The dish comes together in just 35 minutes, with the gnocchi cooking directly in the sauce for maximum flavor absorption. Special attention to using freshly grated cheese and properly reducing the sauce ensures the perfect creamy consistency.
A woman in an apron is preparing a meal in a sunny kitchen filled with fresh vegetables and herbs.
Updated on Sat, 18 Jan 2025 11:56:27 GMT
Creamy Crack Chicken Gnocchi pin it
Creamy Crack Chicken Gnocchi | myhomemaderecipe.com

A sinfully delicious combination of tender gnocchi and juicy chicken comes together in this Crack Chicken Gnocchi recipe. The creamy ranch-style sauce, melted cheddar, and crispy bacon transform simple ingredients into an irresistible comfort dish that will have everyone asking for seconds.

My first attempt at combining crack chicken with gnocchi was a happy accident during a busy weeknight. When my kids practically licked their plates clean, I knew this combination was something special.

Essential Ingredients

  • Potato Gnocchi: Choose quality packaged or fresh
  • Chicken Breast: Poached for maximum tenderness
  • Laughing Cow Cheese: Creates creamy sauce without heaviness
  • Smoked Bacon: Adds depth and crunch
  • Sharp Cheddar: Fresh grated melts best
  • Fresh Shallots: Provides subtle onion flavor
  • Fresh Garlic: Essential for depth
  • Fresh Herbs: Brightens the entire dish
  • Fresh Lemon: Adds brightness to sauce

Detailed Instructions

Chicken Preparation (15 minutes):
Poach chicken in simmering water. Season water with salt and herbs. Cook until just done. Let rest before shredding. Keep warm while preparing sauce.
Bacon and Base (10-12 minutes):
Cook bacon until perfectly crispy. Remove and set aside. Keep rendered fat in pan. Sauté shallots in bacon fat. Add minced garlic. Cook until fragrant and soft.
Sauce Creation (8-10 minutes):
Add Laughing Cow cheese pieces. Stir until beginning to melt. Add milk gradually while stirring. Season with herbs and spices. Let simmer until thickening. Check seasoning as you go.
Final Assembly (10 minutes):
Add gnocchi directly to sauce. Cook until gnocchi floats. Stir in shredded chicken. Add half the bacon. Top with cheddar cheese. Finish with remaining bacon.
Creamy Crack Chicken Gnocchi pin it
Creamy Crack Chicken Gnocchi | myhomemaderecipe.com

The game-changer in developing this recipe was discovering that cooking the gnocchi directly in the sauce creates a perfectly thick, starchy coating that clings to every bite. My daughter calls it 'magic sauce' and I have to agree.

Professional Chef Tips

  • Start with room temperature cheese for smoother sauce
  • Reserve some bacon fat for extra flavor
  • Keep extra milk handy for adjusting sauce
  • Save some pasta water just in case
Creamy Crack Chicken Gnocchi pin it
Creamy Crack Chicken Gnocchi | myhomemaderecipe.com

Storage and Reheating

  • Store leftovers separately from crispy bacon
  • Keep in airtight container up to 3 days
  • Reheat gently with splash of milk
  • Add fresh bacon when reheating
  • Never freeze this dish

Perfect Pairings

  • Steamed broccoli
  • Simple green salad
  • Roasted asparagus
  • Sautéed green beans

Variations Worth Trying

  • Adding different cheese combinations
  • Including sautéed mushrooms
  • Trying different herbs
  • Adding roasted vegetables
  • Including caramelized onions

This Crack Chicken Gnocchi has become my go-to recipe when I need something comforting that everyone will love. It proves that sometimes combining two favorite recipes creates something even better than the originals. Whether served for a family dinner or brought to a potluck, it never fails to impress and satisfy.

Creamy Crack Chicken Gnocchi pin it
Creamy Crack Chicken Gnocchi | myhomemaderecipe.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why not use pre-grated cheese?
Fresh grated cheese melts better and provides smoother texture than pre-grated which contains anti-caking agents.
→ Can I use the chicken poaching liquid?
Yes, but ensure you use exactly 360ml of stock in the sauce for proper consistency.
→ Why isn't my sauce thickening?
The heat needs to be high enough to bubble and reduce the sauce properly.
→ Can I use cream cheese instead of laughing cow?
Yes, light cream cheese can be substituted for laughing cow cheese.
→ Why cook gnocchi directly in sauce?
This allows the gnocchi to absorb the flavors while also helping thicken the sauce.

Creamy Crack Chicken Gnocchi

Tender gnocchi and chicken in a creamy ranch-style sauce with melted cheddar and crispy bacon - an addictively delicious comfort meal.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
20 Minutes
Total Time
35 Minutes
By: Zaho

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American-Italian Fusion

Yield: 4 Servings

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Meat

01 2 small uncooked chicken breasts (360g/12.7oz)
02 75g (2.5oz) uncooked lean smoked back bacon, fat removed and diced small

→ Base Ingredients

03 3.5 cups (840ml) low sodium chicken stock
04 500g (17.5oz) potato gnocchi (dry in vacuum pack)
05 1 shallot, finely diced
06 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Sauce

07 ½ cup (120ml) 2% milk
08 ½ tablespoon lemon juice
09 175g laughing cow light (or light cream cheese)
10 ½ tablespoon cornstarch
11 60g (2.2oz) cheddar or Red Leicester, freshly grated

→ Seasonings

12 1 teaspoon dried parsley
13 1 teaspoon dried chives
14 1 teaspoon onion powder
15 ½ teaspoon dried dill
16 ½ teaspoon garlic powder
17 Salt and black pepper
18 Fresh chopped parsley (or spring onions/chives) for garnish

Instructions

Step 01

Cook chicken in 2 cups stock for 10-12 minutes until done. Drain, cool slightly, slice and set aside.

Step 02

Fry bacon in olive oil spray until golden and crisp. Set aside.

Step 03

In same pan, cook shallot until softened, then add garlic and cook 30 seconds.

Step 04

Add remaining stock, milk, lemon juice, herbs, seasonings and cheese. Whisk until smooth. Add cornstarch slurry and stir.

Step 05

Add chicken and gnocchi. Boil then simmer 5 minutes until gnocchi is cooked and sauce thickens.

Step 06

Transfer to ovenproof dish, top with cheddar and broil until melted. Top with bacon and fresh herbs.

Notes

  1. Don't use pre-grated cheese for best results
  2. Can use poaching stock in final sauce
  3. Sauce must bubble to thicken properly

Tools You'll Need

  • Saucepan
  • Non-stick frying pan
  • Ovenproof dish

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (milk, cheese)
  • Contains gluten (gnocchi)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 530
  • Total Fat: 14 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 58 g
  • Protein: 44 g