Description
Comfort meets indulgence in this creamy crack chicken gnocchi, blending tender potato dumplings with rich, cheesy goodness. Home cooks can savor each spoonful of this irresistible dish that promises warmth and satisfaction in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 2 chicken breasts, small, uncooked (360g/12.7 ounces)
- 75g (2.5 ounces) bacon, lean smoked back, fat removed and diced small
Base Ingredients
- 3.5 cups (840 milliliters) chicken stock, low sodium
- 500g (17.5 ounces) gnocchi, potato, dry in vacuum pack
- 1 shallot, finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Sauce and Seasonings
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) milk, 2%
- 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 175g laughing cow light (or light cream cheese)
- 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch
- 60g (2.2 ounces) cheddar or Red Leicester, freshly grated
- 1 teaspoon parsley, dried
- 1 teaspoon chives, dried
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dill, dried
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Fresh parsley, chopped (or spring onions/chives) for garnish
Instructions
- Submerge chicken in simmering broth for 10-12 minutes until fully cooked through. Remove, let cool briefly, then slice into tender strips.
- Crisp bacon in a skillet using minimal oil until golden brown and perfectly rendered. Reserve crispy pieces.
- In the same pan, sauté shallots until translucent and fragrant. Add minced garlic and cook for a quick 30 seconds to release aromatic oils.
- Incorporate remaining broth, cream, tangy lemon juice, select herbs, seasonings, and grated cheese. Whisk mixture until completely smooth and uniform.
- Thicken sauce by introducing cornstarch slurry, stirring continuously to prevent lumps and achieve desired consistency.
- Gently fold sliced chicken and pillowy gnocchi into the creamy sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes, allowing gnocchi to cook and sauce to develop rich flavors.
- Transfer entire mixture to a heat-resistant baking dish. Sprinkle sharp cheddar cheese across the top and broil until cheese melts and develops golden bubbles.
- Garnish with reserved crispy bacon bits and freshly chopped herbs for a final burst of flavor and texture.
Notes
- Chicken Poaching Tip: Use low-sodium chicken stock for better control of salt levels and enhance the natural chicken flavor without overwhelming the dish.
- Bacon Crispness Hack: Pat bacon dry before frying to ensure maximum crispiness and even golden-brown texture throughout.
- Sauce Smoothing Strategy: Gradually whisk cheese into warm liquid to prevent clumping and create a silky, uniform sauce consistency.
- Dietary Adaptation: Swap regular gnocchi with gluten-free potato gnocchi for a celiac-friendly version, and use turkey bacon for a lighter protein option.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg