Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh for the garnish?

Absolutely! While fresh herbs provide the best pop of color and flavor, if you don't have them on hand, you can sprinkle a bit more dried herbs on top before serving. The dish will still be delicious.

My sauce seems too thin. What did I do wrong?

The sauce needs to simmer at a medium heat to properly thicken. If it's too thin, increase the heat slightly and continue cooking. You can also mix an additional teaspoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water and stir it in while the sauce is simmering.

Can I make this dish ahead of time for a dinner party?

Yes! You can prepare everything up to the point of adding the cheese topping. Refrigerate for up to 24 hours, then when ready to serve, bring to room temperature for 30 minutes, add the cheese, and broil until bubbly and hot throughout.

Is there a way to make this dish lighter?

Definitely! Try using fat-free milk, turkey bacon instead of regular bacon, and reduce the amount of cheese on top. You can also increase the protein-to-gnocchi ratio by adding more chicken and using less gnocchi.

Crack Chicken Gnocchi Recipe

Name: Crack Chicken Gnocchi Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 small uncooked chicken breasts (approx. 360g / 12.7oz); 3.5 cups (840ml) of chicken stock (low sodium); 2 cloves of garlic, minced; 1 shallot, finely diced; ½ cup (120ml) of 2% milk; ½ tablespoon lemon juice; 175g (6oz) of Laughing Cow Light (or light cream cheese); ½ tablespoon of cornstarch; 1 teaspoon dried parsley; 1 teaspoon dried chives; 1 teaspoon onion powder; ½ teaspoon dried dill; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; Salt and black pepper, to taste; 500g (17.5oz) of potato gnocchi (dry in a vacuum pack); 75g (2.5oz) of uncooked lean smoked back bacon, diced small; 60g (2.2oz) of cheddar cheese, grated (do not use pre-grated); Olive oil spray; Fresh chopped parsley (or spring onions or chives) for garnish

This irresistible Crack Chicken Gnocchi is comfort food at its finest – pillowy potato gnocchi swimming in a rich, creamy sauce with tender chicken, crispy bacon, and melty cheese. Ready in just 35 minutes, it’s the perfect weeknight dinner that delivers restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort. The combination of herbs and seasonings creates a dish that’s seriously addictive (hence the name “crack” chicken!) and guaranteed to become a family favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick and Satisfying: From start to finish in just 35 minutes, making it perfect for those busy weeknights when you want something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen.
Comfort Food Heaven: The combination of pillow-soft gnocchi, tender chicken, and that incredibly creamy sauce creates the ultimate comfort food experience.
Crowd-Pleaser: This dish has something for everyone – creamy sauce, tender chicken, smoky bacon, and cheesy goodness. I’ve never met anyone who doesn’t love it!
One-Pan Wonder: Most of the cooking happens in a single pan, meaning less cleanup and more time to enjoy your meal.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Chicken breasts: The star protein that becomes tender and flavorful when poached in stock. You could also use leftover rotisserie chicken to save time.
Chicken stock: Forms the flavorful base of our sauce while adding depth. Low sodium gives you control over the saltiness.
Bacon: Adds a smoky, savory crunch that takes this dish to the next level. Make sure to dice it small for better distribution of flavor.
Shallot and garlic: These aromatics create a flavor foundation that makes everything taste better. Don’t skimp here!
Milk: Adds creaminess without making the dish too heavy. The 2% milk provides just the right amount of richness.
Lemon juice: A touch of acidity that balances the richness and makes all the flavors pop.
Laughing cow light cheese: The secret to a velvety, creamy sauce without using heavy cream. It melts beautifully into the sauce.
Cornstarch: Helps thicken our sauce to that perfect, coat-the-back-of-a-spoon consistency.
Herbs and seasonings: The blend of parsley, chives, onion powder, dill, and garlic powder creates that crave-worthy flavor profile.
Potato gnocchi: These little potato dumplings cook right in the sauce, absorbing all the amazing flavors while releasing starch that helps thicken everything up.
Cheddar cheese: Forms that irresistible melty, golden topping. Freshly grated melts much better than pre-shredded.
Fresh herbs: For a pop of color and freshness to finish the dish.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Vegetable Additions

Transform this dish into a complete one-pot meal by adding vegetables. Throw in a handful of fresh spinach, some frozen peas, or sautéed mushrooms in the last few minutes of cooking.

Cheese Swaps

While cheddar works beautifully, try switching it up with Gruyère for a nutty flavor, mozzarella for ultimate stretchiness, or even blue cheese crumbles for a more sophisticated version.

Protein Options

Not a chicken fan? Substitute with cooked shrimp, Italian sausage, or even smoked salmon for a flavor twist. For a vegetarian version, use white beans or chickpeas instead.

Gluten-Free Version

Look for gluten-free gnocchi made from potatoes (check labels as some contain wheat) or substitute with cauliflower gnocchi for a lower-carb option.

How to Make Crack Chicken Gnocchi

Step 1: Poach the Chicken

Add chicken breasts to a saucepan and completely cover with 2 cups of chicken stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 10-12 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked. Remove chicken, let it cool slightly, then slice into pieces. Set aside.

Step 2: Crisp the Bacon

Spray a non-stick frying pan with olive oil spray and heat over medium-high heat. Add the diced bacon and cook until golden and crispy. Remove and set aside on a paper towel.

Step 3: Create the Flavor Base

In the same pan with the bacon drippings, spray a bit more olive oil and add the diced shallot. Cook until softened and lightly golden. Add the minced garlic and cook for just 30 seconds to release its flavor without burning.

Step 4: Make the Creamy Sauce

Pour in the remaining 1.5 cups of chicken stock, milk, and lemon juice. Add all the dried herbs and seasonings, then whisk in the laughing cow cheese until completely melted and smooth. Mix cornstarch with a couple tablespoons of water to create a slurry, then stir into the sauce.

Step 5: Cook the Gnocchi and Finish the Dish

Add the poached chicken pieces and uncooked gnocchi directly to the sauce. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a medium heat and cook for about 5 minutes until the gnocchi is tender and the sauce has thickened nicely.

Step 6: Add the Cheesy Finish

Transfer everything to an oven-safe dish and sprinkle with grated cheddar. Place under the broiler for a couple of minutes until the cheese is melted and lightly golden. Top with the crispy bacon bits and fresh herbs before serving.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Don’t Skip the Fresh Grating: Pre-grated cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting properly. Taking the extra minute to grate your own makes a huge difference.
Sauce Thickness Matters: If your sauce isn’t thickening, your heat is likely too low. You want a gentle bubble to activate the cornstarch and reduce the liquid.
Bacon Prep: For easier cutting, place bacon in the freezer for about 15 minutes before dicing – it firms up and makes getting those small pieces much easier.
Poaching Liquid Gold: Using the chicken poaching liquid in your sauce adds an extra layer of flavor, but make sure to measure out exactly what the recipe calls for.
Taste as You Go: Seasoning preferences vary, so taste your sauce before adding the gnocchi and adjust salt, pepper, or herbs to your liking.

How to Serve

Perfect Pairings

This rich dish pairs beautifully with a simple green salad dressed with a light vinaigrette to cut through the creaminess. A side of roasted broccoli or asparagus also provides a nice textural contrast.

Bread Choices

Serve with garlic bread or a crusty baguette to soak up every last bit of that delicious sauce – you won’t want to waste a drop!

Wine Suggestion

A crisp Pinot Grigio or lightly oaked Chardonnay complements the creamy sauce perfectly. For red wine lovers, try a light Pinot Noir.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Crack Chicken Gnocchi in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The gnocchi will continue to absorb some of the sauce as it sits.

Freezing

While you can freeze this dish, the texture of the gnocchi and sauce may change slightly upon thawing. Freeze in a sealed container for up to 1 month.

Note: The sauce might separate a bit when frozen and reheated, but a good stir while warming will help bring it back together.

Reheating

For best results, reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of milk or chicken stock to loosen the sauce as needed. Microwave reheating works too – cover loosely and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each.

FAQs

Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh for the garnish?

Absolutely! While fresh herbs provide the best pop of color and flavor, if you don’t have them on hand, you can sprinkle a bit more dried herbs on top before serving. The dish will still be delicious.
My sauce seems too thin. What did I do wrong?

The sauce needs to simmer at a medium heat to properly thicken. If it’s too thin, increase the heat slightly and continue cooking. You can also mix an additional teaspoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water and stir it in while the sauce is simmering.
Can I make this dish ahead of time for a dinner party?

Yes! You can prepare everything up to the point of adding the cheese topping. Refrigerate for up to 24 hours, then when ready to serve, bring to room temperature for 30 minutes, add the cheese, and broil until bubbly and hot throughout.
Is there a way to make this dish lighter?

Definitely! Try using fat-free milk, turkey bacon instead of regular bacon, and reduce the amount of cheese on top. You can also increase the protein-to-gnocchi ratio by adding more chicken and using less gnocchi.

Final Thoughts

This Crack Chicken Gnocchi is the definition of comfort food – creamy, satisfying, and bursting with flavor in every bite. I love how it comes together so quickly on busy weeknights but tastes like something that took hours to prepare. The combination of tender chicken, pillowy gnocchi, and that herb-infused creamy sauce is truly irresistible. Whether you’re cooking for your family or entertaining friends, this dish is guaranteed to impress. Give it a try tonight – I promise it’ll earn a permanent spot in your recipe rotation!