Quick Creamy Crack Chicken Gnocchi with Bacon and Ranch Seasoning

The ultimate comfort food featuring tender potato gnocchi in a rich, creamy sauce with seasoned chicken, crispy bacon, and addictive ranch flavoring. This irresistible one-pan dinner masterpiece combines pillowy gnocchi with perfectly seasoned chicken and a velvety cream sauce, creating an unforgettable meal that lives up to its 'crack' nickname for being absolutely addictive, perfect for busy weeknights, comfort food cravings, or any time you need a satisfying family dinner that comes together quickly.

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Quick Creamy Crack Chicken Gnocchi with Bacon and Ranch Seasoning - main view
Chef profile

JUE

Enjoy home-cooked meals made with love and shared from a family kitchen.

Comfort Food Mastery Secrets for Perfect Creamy Crack Chicken Gnocchi

Essential Ingredients Selection

Creating Your Masterpiece

Perfect Chicken Searing Mastery:
Master the technique of properly seasoning and searing chicken for maximum flavor development.
Bacon Rendering Excellence:
Learn the skill of rendering bacon to perfect crispness while preserving flavorful fat.
Creamy Sauce Creation Perfection:
Perfect the method of creating smooth, lump-free cream sauce with perfect consistency.
Gnocchi Cooking Technique:
Master the art of cooking gnocchi directly in sauce for optimal texture and flavor.
Final Assembly and Timing:
Learn optimal timing for combining all elements while maintaining perfect texture.
Quick Creamy Crack Chicken Gnocchi with Bacon and Ranch Seasoning - secondary view

The Art of Ultimate Quick Creamy Crack Chicken Gnocchi Perfection

Perfect Chicken Searing Mastery
Master the technique of properly seasoning and searing chicken for maximum flavor development.
Bacon Rendering Excellence
Learn the skill of rendering bacon to perfect crispness while preserving flavorful fat.
Creamy Sauce Creation Perfection
Perfect the method of creating smooth, lump-free cream sauce with perfect consistency.
Gnocchi Cooking Technique
Master the art of cooking gnocchi directly in sauce for optimal texture and flavor.
Final Assembly and Timing
Learn optimal timing for combining all elements while maintaining perfect texture.
Comfort Food Mastery Secrets for Perfect Creamy Crack Chicken Gnocchi
Gnocchi Choice: Use shelf-stable gnocchi for best texture - they hold up better in the creamy sauce.
Cream Cheese: Make sure cream cheese is fully softened before adding to prevent lumps in sauce.
Chicken Size: Cut chicken into uniform pieces for even cooking and better distribution.
Sauce Consistency: If sauce gets too thick, add more chicken broth; if too thin, simmer longer.
Bacon Crispness: Cook bacon until very crispy as it will soften slightly when mixed back in.
Serving Temperature: Serve immediately as gnocchi can absorb sauce and become thick when cooled.
Quick Creamy Crack Chicken Gnocchi with Bacon and Ranch Seasoning - tertiary view

Quick Creamy Crack Chicken Gnocchi with Bacon and Ranch Seasoning

The ultimate comfort food featuring tender potato gnocchi in a rich, creamy sauce with seasoned chicken, crispy bacon, and addictive ranch flavoring. This irresistible one-pan dinner masterpiece combines pillowy gnocchi with perfectly seasoned chicken and a velvety cream sauce, creating an unforgettable meal that lives up to its 'crack' nickname for being absolutely addictive, perfect for busy weeknights, comfort food cravings, or any time you need a satisfying family dinner that comes together quickly.

Italian Cream Stuffed Cannoncini
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Ingredients

Custard Cream
01
For the Chicken:
02
1.5 pounds boneless chicken breasts, cubed
03
2 tablespoons olive oil
04
1 teaspoon garlic powder
05
1 teaspoon onion powder
06
1 teaspoon paprika
07
1/2 teaspoon salt
08
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
09
For the Bacon:
10
8 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
11
1 tablespoon bacon fat (reserved)
12
For the Gnocchi Base:
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2 pounds potato gnocchi (shelf-stable)
14
3 cups chicken broth
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1 cup water
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For the Creamy Sauce:
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8 oz cream cheese, softened
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1 cup heavy cream
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1/2 cup sour cream
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1/4 cup mayonnaise
21
For the Ranch Seasoning:
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1 packet ranch dressing mix
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1 teaspoon dried dill
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1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
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1/2 teaspoon onion powder
26
For the Cheese:
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1.5 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
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1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
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1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
30
For the Vegetables:
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1 medium onion, diced
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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1 cup frozen peas
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1/2 cup green onions, chopped
35
For the Fresh Herbs:
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1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
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2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
38
For the Finishing:
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Salt and pepper to taste
40
Red pepper flakes (optional)
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For Special Equipment:
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Large deep skillet or Dutch oven
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Wooden spoon
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Measuring cups

Instructions

01
Cook chopped bacon in large deep skillet over medium heat until crispy.
02
Remove bacon with slotted spoon and drain on paper towels, reserve fat.
03
Season cubed chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
04
Add olive oil to skillet with bacon fat and heat over medium-high heat.
05
Add seasoned chicken pieces and cook until golden and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
06
Remove chicken from skillet and set aside with cooked bacon.
07
Add diced onion to same skillet and sauté until softened, about 3 minutes.
08
Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
09
Pour chicken broth and water into skillet, bringing to a boil.
10
Add gnocchi to boiling liquid and cook according to package directions until tender.
11
Reduce heat to medium-low and add softened cream cheese, stirring until melted.
12
Pour in heavy cream, sour cream, and mayonnaise, whisking until smooth.
13
Add ranch packet, dried dill, and additional garlic and onion powder.
14
Stir in shredded cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese until melted.
15
Return cooked chicken and bacon to skillet, stirring to combine.
16
Add frozen peas and cook for 2-3 minutes until heated through.
17
Season with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting as needed.
18
Stir in half of the chopped green onions and fresh parsley.
19
Remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes to thicken slightly.
20
Taste and adjust seasoning with more ranch packet if desired.
21
Garnish with remaining green onions, parsley, and fresh chives.
22
Sprinkle with red pepper flakes if you like a little heat.
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Serve immediately while hot and creamy for best texture.
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Provide extra shredded cheese for those who want more richness.
25
Accompany with crusty bread or side salad for complete meal.