Go Back
A close-up shot of the creamy chicken bacon ranch gnocchi in a rustic skillet, showing the rich texture of the cheese sauce.

Creamy Crack Chicken Gnocchi (The Ultimate One-Pan Dinner)

This Creamy Crack Chicken Gnocchi is the ultimate one-pan comfort food! This easy 30-minute recipe combines tender chicken, crispy bacon, and soft gnocchi in a cheesy, addictive ranch sauce. Perfect for a busy weeknight dinner.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 650

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 8 oz bacon chopped
  • 1 lb potato gnocchi shelf-stable or refrigerated
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 oz packet dry ranch seasoning mix
  • 1/2 cup diced onion
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4 cup sliced green onions for garnish
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Equipment

  • 1 Large Skillet
  • 1 Wooden Spoon or Spatula

Method
 

  1. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving about 1 tablespoon of grease in the skillet. Add the cubed chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
  2. Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the softened cream cheese, stirring until it starts to melt. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth and the dry ranch seasoning mix until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
  4. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Add the gnocchi to the skillet and stir to coat. Cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gnocchi are tender and have floated to the top.
  5. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until fully melted. Return the cooked chicken and half of the crispy bacon to the skillet. Stir to combine everything. Garnish with the remaining bacon and sliced green onions before serving warm.

Notes

For the creamiest sauce, use full-fat block cream cheese and shred your own cheddar.
Do not overcook the gnocchi, as it will become mushy. It's ready as soon as it floats.
Feel free to add a handful of spinach at the end for extra veggies.