Skillet Gnocchi with Marry Me Chicken Sauce

This marry me chicken gnocchi is a cozy, one-pan dinner that brings together soft pan-seared gnocchi and tender chicken in a creamy, sun-dried tomato sauce. Rich, comforting, and deeply savoury, it’s inspired by the popular Marry Me Chicken flavours but adapted into a quicker, stovetop-friendly meal that feels indulgent without being complicated.

Hey folks – I hope you all are doing well!

If you loved the classic Marry Me Chicken, this version takes those creamy, garlicky, Parmesan-rich flavours and turns them into a satisfying skillet dinner with gnocchi. It’s one of those recipes that looks impressive, tastes luxurious, and yet comes together entirely on the stovetop. So, let’s dive into this Skillet Gnocchi with a Creamy Marry Me Chicken Sauce.

Why You’ll Love The Skillet Gnocchi with Marry Me Chicken Sauce

• One-pan comfort: Everything cooks in a single skillet, making cleanup easy and flavour layered.
• Crispy-meets-creamy: Soft, pillowy gnocchi paired with a silky, sun-dried tomato sauce.
• Faster than the classic: Bite-sized chicken cooks quickly and stays juicy without oven finishing.
• Perfect for date night: Cozy, indulgent, and ideal for Valentine’s Day or a special dinner at home.

Flavour and Texture Profile

This skillet gnocchi with Marry Me chicken sauce is rich, savoury, and deeply comforting, with layered flavours built entirely on the stovetop. The sauce is creamy and velvety, infused with garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan, while smoked paprika and chipotle add gentle warmth and a subtle smoky undertone rather than overt heat. The chicken stays tender and juicy thanks to the quick, bite-sized cooking method, and the gnocchi are lightly seared while staying soft and pillowy, working beautifully with the silky sauce. Overall, the dish strikes a balance between indulgent creaminess, savoury depth, and soft, pillowy textures – perfect for cozy dinners and special occasions alike.

Ingredients You’ll Need for The Marry Me Chicken Gnocchi

For this Marry Me Chicken Gnocchi, the ingredients work together to build depth and richness without complexity.

• Gnocchi: Pan-seared until lightly golden, forming the base of the dish. I used skillet gnocchi.
  • Skillet gnocchi is a stovetop method where shelf-stable or refrigerated gnocchi are pan-seared instead of boiled. This creates a lightly crisp exterior while keeping the inside tender, making it perfect for creamy sauces that cling to every bite.
• Chicken breasts: Cut into bite-sized pieces for quick, even cooking.
• Olive oil and butter: Used in stages to build flavour and colour.
• Smoked paprika and chipotle powder: Add warmth, colour, and subtle smokiness.
• Garlic: Provides the savoury backbone of the sauce.
• Fresh thyme and chili flakes: Bring herbal depth and gentle heat.
• Sun-dried tomatoes: Offer sweet, tangy intensity that defines the sauce.
• Chicken broth: Loosens the sauce and balances the cream.
• Cream: Creates the signature Marry Me silkiness.
• Parmesan cheese: Adds umami and helps thicken the sauce.
• Fresh parsley or basil: For brightness at the finish.

How to Make Skillet Gnocchi with Marry Me Chicken Sauce

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook until just cooked through and no longer pink. Because the chicken releases juices, it’s important not to overcook it. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
2. Add butter, smoked paprika, and chipotle powder to the pan and stir briefly to bloom the spices. Lower the heat slightly, then add garlic, thyme, and chili flakes. Cook gently until fragrant.
3. Add the gnocchi along with a little extra olive oil or butter and increase the heat. Cook for a few minutes, stirring gently, until the gnocchi are warmed through and lightly seared. Due to the remaining cooking juices and the sauce added later, the gnocchi will stay soft and pillowy rather than fully crisp.
4. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, chicken broth, cream, and Parmesan. Let the sauce simmer briefly until it thickens slightly.
5. Return the chicken to the skillet and cook just until warmed through and coated in the sauce. Adjust seasoning as needed and finish with fresh herbs before serving.

Can I Make This Recipe with Regular Gnocchi?

Yes – you can absolutely make this Marry Me Chicken Gnocchi with regular boiled gnocchi. Simply cook the gnocchi in well-salted boiling water according to package instructions until they float to the surface, then drain well. For best results, let them steam-dry for a minute or two before adding them to the skillet. While you won’t get the same crispy edges, the boiled gnocchi will still soak up the creamy sauce beautifully and deliver that soft, pillowy texture that pairs perfectly with the rich Marry Me chicken sauce.

More Comfort Winter Recipes

Are you looking for more tasty recipes, like this Marry Me Chicken Gnocchi, that you can enjoy for your Valentine’s dinner? Be sure to check more recipes below:

• Marry Me Chicken Skillet with Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce
• Creamy Tomato Ham Pasta (Pasta al Baffo)
• Venetian Duck Ragu Pasta
• Pan-fried Butter Sage Gnocchi
• Chicken with White Wine, Figs and Rosemary (30-Minute Recipe)

I’d love for you to try this Marry Me Chicken Gnocchi recipe. If you give it a go, please share your results in the comments, message me on Instagram, or post your photos with the hashtag #havocinthekitchen. I look forward to seeing your creations and hearing your thoughts.

Cheers!

Skillet Gnocchi with Marry Me Chicken Sauce

Recipe by Ben | Havocinthekitchen

Marry Me Chicken Gnocchi made with soft skillet gnocchi, tender chicken, and a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce. A cozy one-pan dinner.

Course: Pasta and GnocchiCuisine: American, Italian-inspiredDifficulty: Easy

5.0 from 3 votes

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Servings

2-3

servings

Prep time

5

minutes

Cooking time

25

minutes

Cook Mode

Keep the screen of your device on

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) skillet gnocchi

• 1 large chicken breast (about 250-300 g), cut into bite-sized pieces or thick strips

• 1/2 cup (80 g) sun-dried tomatoes, chopped

• 1/2 cup (120 ml) cream (35% or mixed 10–35%) you may need to add more

• 1/4 cup (60 ml) chicken broth you may need to add more

• 1/4 cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese

• 2-3 garlic cloves, finely minced

• 2 tbsp. (30 ml) extra virgin olive oil, divided

• 1 tbsp. (15 g) butter

• 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika

• 1/4 tsp. chipotle powder, or to taste

• Pinch of chili flakes I added just a little as I used chipotle

• 1/2 tbsp. fresh thyme leaves

• Salt, to taste

• Black pepper, to taste

• Fresh parsley or basil, for serving

Directions

• Heat 1 tbsp. (15 ml) olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook, tossing occasionally, until no longer pink, about 5-6 minutes.
• Add butter, smoked paprika, and chipotle powder to the chicken and give it another 3-4 minutes. This will give some extra smoky flavour and colour; you won’t see too much of a sear though as the chicken is cooked in juices. Remove the chicken and set aside.
• Lower the heat to high-low, add garlic, thyme, and chili flakes, and cook until fragrant, 1-2 minutes.
• Increase heat again to high-medium. Add gnocchi with the second spoon of oil if needed and cook, stirring gently, about 5-7 minutes, lightly seared. The gnocchi will remain soft and pillowy rather than crisp due to the sauce and cooking juices.
• Stir in sun-dried tomatoes, chicken broth, cream, and Parmesan. Simmer 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens. You may need to add extra cream or broth.
• Return chicken to the skillet, warm through for about 2 minutes. Try and season more as needed. Serve right away ideally garnished with fresh basil or if it’s not available – with parsley. Enjoy!