My husband and I do not go out to eat often. The main reason is that it is so expensive. The other reason is that I can usually make something at home that will be far more satisfying and much less hassle. Now don’t get me wrong. I do love going out for a nice sit down dinner and having date night with the hubs! But having date night at home with a nice meal can be just as special and a fraction of the cost! This Creamy Chicken Bacon with Basil Gnocchi was a superb meal. It is loaded with so many flavors to please your pallet! Bacon, tender juicy chicken, garlic, onions, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach. And the star of the show was this basil flavored gnocchi that I happened upon at the grocery store the other day! Outstanding!
And check out these great recipes while you are here!
Creamy Bowtie Pasta with Italian Sausage, Sundried Tomatoes and Spinach – my most popular recipe on the blog!
Chicken Spaghetti in the Slow Cooker
What is in Creamy Chicken Bacon with Basil Gnocchi?
As I mentioned above, there are so many flavors happening in this dish! Your tastebuds will be delighted! There is:
- Bacon
- Chicken
- Onion
- Garlic
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes in Italian Herb Oil
- Parmesan Cheese
- Spinach
- Chicken Broth
- Butter (not pictured. oops!)
- A blend of tasty spices
- Salt and Pepper
- Basil flavored potato gnocchi
Can this be made ahead of time?
Yes it sure can! You can make it up to 2-3 days ahead of time and store in the fridge in an airtight container. When reheating, I recommend adding a bit of milk or chicken broth. The sauce will become very “gluey” after sitting for a few days. If you wish to freeze it, wrap it tightly or vacuum seal it and store for up to 3 months! Let it thaw completely before reheating.
How to make it:
First, you will brown your bacon in a skillet over medium heat. Once crispy, use a slotted spoon to remove it and set it aside. Do not drain the grease.
Add 1 lb of boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs cut into bite-sized pieces into the pan. Season with salt and pepper and cook all the way through. Then, remove it and set it aside as well.
Now you will add some butter to the skillet, and saute a diced onion for about 5 minutes. Add your minced garlic and cook just until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Your house is going to smell so good at this point!
Now you will stir in the sun-dried tomatoes (with the oil), some chicken broth and heavy cream and spices. The spices used will be listed on the recipe card below. You will stir that all together and let simmer for a few minutes.
And now, you will add the parmesan cheese and stir it continuously until all of the cheese is melted. Next, add in the spinach, then the cooked chicken and bacon goes back in.
This may seem like a lot of steps, but it goes quickly! My best piece of advice is to have EVERYTHING prepped and ready to go before you even start cooking! I recommend that for all recipes actually! Prep is key to ensure an easy and enjoyable cooking experience!
The final step is to prepare the gnocchi. You simply boil it in some salted water for about 3 minutes. It is done when it floats to the top. As soon as that happens, drain it and pour it into the chicken and bacon mixture.
*Important Note* Be sure to save about 1 cup of the water. You will need to add it to your sauce!
Mix that all together and let sit for about 10 minutes to thicken up and that is all there is to it!
I served this with some freshly grated parmesan cheese on top, with a side salad and some garlic bread.
We had enough leftovers to last 2 days! This is a very thick and hearty meal. My husband is a big man and can put away some food, but even he filled up fast.
It is, however, a delightfully tasty and wonderful meal. It is perfect for date night at home or for entertaining friends, or just any night of the week!
If you do make this recipe, please leave a comment and a rating. I love hearing from you and it helps so much! Thank you!!!
Also, if you would like to purchase a copy of my new digital cookbook called “Dinner is Done!”, click here!
Creamy Chicken and Bacon with Basil Gnocchi
Ingredients
- 6 Slices Chopped Up Bacon
- 1 Lb Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts or Thighs, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbs Salted Butter
- 1 Yellow Onion, Diced
- 6-7 Garlic Cloves, minced
- 1/3 Cup Sun-Dried Tomatoes In Italian Herb seasoned oil
- 1 Cup Chicken Broth
- 2 Cups Heavy Cream
- 5 oz Shaved Parmesan cheese
- 4 oz Fresh Spinach, roughly chopped
- 16 oz Package of shelf stable Basil Flavored Potato Gnocchi any flavor Gnocchi will work
Seasonings
- 1 tbs Garlic Powder
- 1 tbs Onion Powder
- 1 tbs Dried Oregano
- 1 tbs Dried Basil
- 1 tsp Red Pepper Flakes optional
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Brown the bacon in a skillet over medium heat. Once it is cooked, remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. Add the chicken in with the bacon grease. Season with salt and pepper and cook until done. Remove it and set aside.
- Add the butter to the pan. Saute the onion for about 5 minutes, then add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 1-2 minutes.
- Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, chicken broth and heavy cream along with the listed seasonings (except the salt and pepper). Stir and let simmer for about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the parmesan cheese and stir until it is completely melted, then add the spinach in and let it wilt down.
- Add the chicken and bacon back in.
- In a small pot, boil the gnocchi as directed on the package. Reserve 1 cup of the water. Drain it and add the gnocchi and the reserved water to the chicken and bacon mixture.
- Stir really well and let simmer on the lowest setting for about 10 minutes to thicken up.
- Salt and pepper to taste if needed! Enjoy!
Debbie
Absolutely delicious. Made as the recipe indicated, it’s a keeper!
cwilken
So happy to hear that Debbie! Thanks so much!!!
Brenda
How much Parmesan cheese?
cwilken
I am so sorry Brenda. It should be 5 oz and I have updated the recipe! Thank you for pointing that out!