The number one thing people say about cooking dinner is there just isn’t time. With a few tips and tricks making dinners like this Chicken Gnocchi Skillet will be a breeze and have you saying, of course, there’s time to make dinner
As a mother of two, a wife, and a working woman plus a businesswoman I completely understand when someone says, “Who has time to cook.”
When I reached out to my Facebook group late last year, I asked them what kind of dishes they would like to see more of. Of course, it was quick, simple, under 30-minute, one-dish meals.
However, just wanting those types of meals isn’t enough. Meals like Chicken Gnocchi Skillet don’t just happen because they are quick and easy but also because there is a framework put in place to make simple cooking possible.
Simple Ways to Make Time for Cooking
Be intentional about it: You must make it a point not to eat out and set some time aside every night. Cooking and eating homemade meals is more of a habit than anything else.
Make practical weeknight meals: Aim for dishes that are done in 30 minutes or less. Use equipment and ingredients that are practical for weeknight meals.
Plan for it: Besides setting time aside to cook at home. Plan out what dishes you will make that week. It doesn’t have to be Monday: X Tuesday: Y… It could just be this week we will eat spaghetti, tacos, soup, and chicken with potatoes and veggies. Bonus planning your meals can also save you money!
Prep it: You don’t have to go overboard just set aside 30-45 minutes a week to do some chopping, dicing, and maybe some prep cooking. Nothing too extravagant.
Have things set and ready: Before work, I like to take the pots, pans, instant pot, or whatever it is that I am going to cook with and set it out so that it is ready. Therefore, when I come home it is as simple as pull the prepped food out and cook it up. Also, try to stick with only a few dishes to cook with, this will save time on clean up.
Pro Busy Tip: On extra busy weeks, I like to plan baked pasta and casserole dishes more prep time but less time in the kitchen on super busy days.
Inspiration Chicken Gnocchi Skillet
I was going to do this as a sheet pan meal, but the first time I made it I felt the gnocchi was dry and unpleasant. The flavor was great, but the texture was just not right.
Back to the drawing board, I went.
I decided to try it as a stovetop meal. The chicken didn’t cook all the way through and the gnocchi burnt.
Back to the drawing board, I went.
What if I made it in a cast-iron skillet started it on the stove but finished it in the oven and added just a little chicken stock to make it a little saucier and prevent the burning of the gnocchi.
It was perfect, delicious, and simple to make. Chicken and Gnocchi Skillet is a new go-to for our family.
How to make Chicken and Gnocchi Skillet
- Since this is a dish that is made on the stovetop and finished in the oven the first step will be turning on the oven. 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Next, we will brown the chicken. Heat up olive oil in a deep skillet. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, rosemary, and thyme then brown chicken on both sides. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- In the same pan, you browned the chicken add butter and saute onions, garlic, and cherry tomatoes. Just until tender 2-3 minutes under medium-low heat.
- Once onions are soft stir in one packet of gnocchi. Add in 1 cup chicken stock, and turn off the heat.
- Add in frozen mixed vegetable blend. I prefer the one with Carrots, Zucchini, Yellow Squash, Broccoli, and Cauliflower. Stir to combine.
- Finally, place the browned chicken on top of veggie mix and place the skillet in the oven and let cook until chicken is fully cooked (internal temp 165° Fahrenheit)
Serve up with a simple side salad and Parmesan rolls and you have a simple complete meal your whole family will enjoy!
Next time you think you don’t have time to cook. Take these tips and tricks and whip up this quick easy, hearty, and satisfying dinner like Chicken and Gnocchi Skillet Dinner.
More Weeknight Meals
FAQ and Tips
Common Questions that get asked about the recipe, and tips to save you time and money.
- Can I prep/make this in advance?
Yes you can, but you will have to cook the chicken all the way then heat it through when ready to serve or else you could get sick. - Can this dish be frozen?
Absolutely, it can be made ahead and frozen for a quick weeknight meal. Keeps in the freezer for 2 months. - Can I use homemade gnocchi?
Yes you can.
Get the Recipe
Chicken Gnocchi Skillet
Equipment
- Cast iron skillet
Ingredients
- 4 bone in skin on chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp italian seasoning divided
- ½ tbsp garlic powder divided
- ½ cup grape tomatoes sliced in half
- 1 small yellow onion sliced
- 1 pk gnocchi
- 4 cups frozen mixed veggies Carrot, zucchini, yellow squash, broccoli and cauliflower mix
- 1 cups chicken stock
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees
- In a large cast-iron skillet melt the butter over medium-low heat. On a sheet pan layout chicken thighs and season with salt, pepper, and half of the Italian seasoning blend and half the garlic powder. Once the chicken is seasoned and the butter is melted carefully place the chicken in the pan skin side down. Cook about 5 minutes for each side until golden brown.
- Remove chicken from the pan and set aside for now.
- In the same pan, you cooked the chicken add in the sliced onions, the sliced tomatoes, and the remaining Italian seasoning and garlic powder. Cook for 3 minutes until onions start to soften.
- Add in the gnocchi and give it a stir.
- Add in the frozen veggies and give it a stir.
- Add in the veggie stock and place chicken on top of the gnocchi and veggie mix. Place in the oven and cook 15-20 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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