Get ready to meet your new favorite weeknight dinner. This Crack Chicken Gnocchi recipe is everything you love about the viral “crack chicken” flavor profile—creamy ranch, savory bacon, and sharp cheddar—tossed with tender, pillowy potato gnocchi. It’s a one-pan wonder that comes together in under 40 minutes, delivering a level of comfort and flavor that will have everyone asking for seconds. If you’re looking for a meal that’s both incredibly easy to make and ridiculously delicious, you’ve found it.
What Exactly Is “Crack Chicken”?
If you haven’t heard of it, “Crack Chicken” is a wildly popular flavor combination for a reason. It’s a simple but addictive mix of shredded chicken, cream cheese, crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, and ranch seasoning. This trio creates a creamy, savory, and slightly tangy flavor profile that is truly irresistible. We’re taking that classic concept and elevating it by introducing soft potato gnocchi to create a complete, satisfying meal in a single skillet.
Why You’ll Love This Crack Chicken Gnocchi Recipe
- One-Pan Perfection: Cleanup is a breeze! Everything from the bacon to the sauce and gnocchi cooks in a single skillet.
- Quick & Easy: This entire dish is ready in under 40 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you’re short on time but craving something special.
- Family-Friendly Flavor: The creamy, cheesy, and savory flavors are a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults. It’s a crowd-pleaser through and through.
- Ultimate Comfort Food: Rich, creamy sauce, tender chicken, and soft gnocchi make this the perfect comforting meal for a cozy night in. Looking for another great comfort food? Try this amazing chicken pot pie.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients to create its signature flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Bacon: Provides a salty, crispy texture and savory base flavor.
- Chicken Breast: Boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Potato Gnocchi: Shelf-stable or refrigerated gnocchi works perfectly. No need to pre-boil!
- Chicken Broth: Forms the base of our creamy sauce.
- Cream Cheese: The key to an ultra-creamy, rich sauce. Make sure it’s softened for easy melting.
- Ranch Seasoning: Use a 1-ounce packet of your favorite dry ranch dressing mix.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: For that sharp, cheesy goodness. Freshly grated melts best!
- Green Onions: Adds a mild, fresh onion flavor and a pop of color.
- Garlic Powder & Onion Powder: To season the chicken and round out the sauce.
- Salt & Black Pepper: To taste.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create the perfect skillet of Crack Chicken Gnocchi.
Step 1: Cook the Bacon
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the chopped bacon until it’s brown and crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, but leave about 1 tablespoon of the rendered bacon fat in the skillet. This fat is packed with flavor and is perfect for cooking the chicken.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
Season the bite-sized chicken pieces with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Add the seasoned chicken to the same skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it’s golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside with the bacon.
Step 3: Make the Creamy Sauce
Reduce the heat to medium. Pour the chicken broth into the skillet, using a spatula to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the broth to a simmer, then add the softened cream cheese and the dry ranch seasoning. Whisk continuously until the cream cheese has completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Step 4: Cook the Gnocchi and Combine
Add the uncooked gnocchi directly to the simmering sauce in the skillet. Let it cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring gently, until the gnocchi are tender and have absorbed some of the sauce. Stir in half of the shredded cheddar cheese until it’s melted. Return the cooked chicken and half of the crispy bacon to the skillet. Stir everything together until well combined and heated through.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Top the skillet with the remaining cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and freshly sliced green onions. Serve immediately and enjoy the creamy, cheesy goodness!
Expert Tips for the Best Gnocchi Skillet
- Don’t Overcook the Gnocchi: Gnocchi cooks very quickly. It’s done when it’s tender and pillowy. Overcooking can make it mushy.
- Use Freshly Grated Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese is often coated in anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting smoothly. Grating your own block of cheddar will result in a much creamier sauce.
- Soften the Cream Cheese: Let your cream cheese sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before you start cooking. This will help it melt seamlessly into the sauce without lumps.
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: Use a large skillet to ensure the chicken and bacon have enough space to brown properly, which develops deeper flavor.
Fun Variations to Try
While this Crack Chicken Gnocchi is fantastic as is, it’s also a great base for customization. For a similarly easy recipe, check out these Crockpot Chicken and Potatoes.
- Add Veggies: Stir in a few handfuls of fresh spinach at the end until it wilts, or add some steamed broccoli florets for extra nutrients.
- Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce to the sauce for a kick of heat. You could also take inspiration from this spicy buffalo chicken dip.
- Change the Cheese: Swap the cheddar for a Monterey Jack, Colby, or a spicy pepper jack for a different flavor profile.
- Add a Crunchy Topping: For extra texture, sprinkle some toasted breadcrumbs or crispy fried onions over the top before serving.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Store any leftover gnocchi in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can gently warm it in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of milk or chicken broth to loosen the sauce. You can also reheat it in the microwave in 30-second intervals until warmed through.
Frequently Asked Questions
This dish is best served fresh, as the gnocchi can become soft upon reheating. However, you can prep the components ahead of time by cooking the chicken and bacon and chopping the onions to make assembly even quicker.
Yes, you can use frozen gnocchi. There’s no need to thaw it first, but you may need to add 2-3 minutes to the cooking time to ensure it’s cooked through and tender.
To control the salt level, use low-sodium chicken broth and low-sodium bacon if you can find it. You can also use a homemade ranch seasoning mix where you can control the amount of salt added.
This is a rich, all-in-one meal, so it pairs best with simple sides. A light green salad with a vinaigrette, steamed broccoli, or roasted asparagus are all excellent choices to balance the creaminess of the dish.
Boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces works perfectly. You can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for extra flavor, or use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken and stir it in at the end to save time.
More Quick Dinners You’ll Love
If you loved this one-pan dish, you’ll definitely enjoy this creamy chicken and asparagus pasta (coming soon). It’s another quick and delicious meal perfect for any night of the week. Or, for a different take on creamy chicken, this creamy Boursin chicken is an absolute must-try.
The Ultimate Crack Chicken Gnocchi Recipe
Crack Chicken Gnocchi: The Ultimate One-Pan Comfort Food
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the chopped bacon until crispy (6-8 minutes). Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the skillet.
- Season the chicken pieces with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Add to the skillet and cook until golden brown and cooked through (5-7 minutes). Remove chicken and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pan. Bring to a simmer, then whisk in the softened cream cheese and ranch seasoning until the sauce is smooth.
- Add the uncooked gnocchi to the sauce and simmer for 3-5 minutes, until tender. Stir in half of the cheddar cheese until melted.
- Return the cooked chicken and half of the bacon to the skillet. Stir to combine. Top with the remaining cheese, bacon, and sliced green onions. Serve immediately.
Notes
Tip 2: Ensure your cream cheese is fully softened to room temperature to prevent lumps in your sauce.
Tip 3: Don't boil the gnocchi separately. Cooking it in the sauce infuses it with flavor and helps thicken the sauce naturally.
Share Your Creation!
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