Creamy chicken and spinach gnocchi- in 1 hour!
If you’re looking for the ultimate comfort food that feels a little bit special without requiring hours in the kitchen, this is the recipe for you! The perfect balance of creamy, indulgent and beautifully fresh, this easy bake brings together rich crème fraîche and zesty lemon to create a dish that is bursting with flavour. The crème fraîche gives it that wonderfully luxurious, velvety finish, while the fresh lemon cuts through the richness with a light, refreshing zing, making every bite feel deliciously balanced. It’s comforting without being too heavy, indulgent without being overwhelming, and guaranteed to leave you going back for seconds!
And the best part? It couldn’t be easier to make. With less than 25 minutes of preparation time and just 30–45 minutes in the oven, you can have a seriously delicious, home-cooked meal on the table without spending your entire evening cooking. Simply prep, pop it in the oven and let it do the hard work while you relax, pour yourself a drink or get on with the rest of your evening.
Whether you're after a quick but satisfying dinner after a long day at work, planning a cosy weekend date night at home, or simply craving something delicious to enjoy curled up on the sofa, this bake ticks all the boxes. It's perfect for those evenings when you want something that feels a little more special than your usual midweek dinner, but without the fuss, expense or effort of going out. Serve it up for a relaxed evening in, share it with someone special or make it your new go-to when you fancy a little comfort food with a fresh, zesty twist.
Easy, fuss-free and packed with flavour, this is one of those recipes that proves you really don't need complicated ingredients or hours of preparation to create something truly delicious. Trust us, once you've tried it, you'll be adding it to your regular dinner rotation!
Creamy chicken and spinach gnocchi- Ingredient list!
2 tablespoons of olive oil
300g boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 medium onion, thinly slice
2 garlic cloves, finely crushed
4 sprigs of fresh thyme, leaves removed
300ml crème fraîche
Zest and juice of half a lemon
1 teaspoon of runny honey
100g fresh baby spinach leaves
500g pack of gnocchi
50g mature Cheddar cheese, grated
1 tablespoon of fresh parsley, roughly chopped
Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Creamy chicken and spinach gnocchi- step by step instruction guide!
Step 1
Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan/Gas Mark 6). Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large, ovenproof frying pan over a medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken thighs and cook for around 4–5 minutes on each side, until beautifully golden brown and cooked through. Use a pair of tongs to carefully turn the chicken halfway through, adjusting the cooking time slightly depending on the thickness of the thighs. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the pan and set aside in a bowl while you prepare the creamy sauce.
Step 2
Pour the white wine into the hot pan to deglaze, using a wooden spoon to gently scrape up all the delicious golden bits stuck to the bottom. Don't skip this step – these little caramelised pieces are packed with flavour and will add so much depth to your sauce! Allow the wine to bubble away for around 2 minutes, giving it a little stir as it reduces slightly. Once ready, carefully pour the wine and all those lovely pan juices into the bowl with the cooked chicken, making sure you capture every last bit.
Step 3
Keeping the same pan over a medium heat, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Tip in the sliced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it begins to soften and turn slightly translucent. You want the onion to become lovely and tender without browning too much. Next, add the crushed garlic and fresh thyme leaves, along with a generous pinch of salt. Stir everything together and cook for a further minute, allowing the garlic and fragrant thyme to release their aromas. By now, your kitchen should be smelling absolutely delicious, and you'll have the perfect flavour-packed base for that gorgeous creamy sauce!
Step 4
Using a pair of kitchen scissors, carefully cut the cooked chicken thighs into bite-sized chunks. Return the chicken to the pan, along with the reserved white wine and any delicious resting juices that have collected in the bowl – you definitely don't want to waste any of that flavour! Give everything a good stir to combine before adding the crème fraîche, lemon zest and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Stir well until the crème fraîche melts into the pan juices, creating a wonderfully creamy, fragrant sauce that coats the chicken beautifully.
Step 5
Season generously with sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper, then drizzle in the runny honey. This little touch of sweetness works beautifully alongside the zesty lemon, balancing the richness of the crème fraîche and bringing all those lovely flavours together. Allow the sauce to gently simmer for around 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until everything is well combined and the sauce begins to thicken slightly.
Step 6
Next, add the fresh baby spinach, stirring it through the creamy chicken mixture until the leaves have wilted. Don't worry if it looks like a lot at first – spinach reduces considerably as it cooks! Finally, tip in the gnocchi and stir everything together thoroughly, making sure each piece is generously coated in that gorgeous lemony, creamy sauce. Once everything is combined, you're ready for the final, delicious finishing touches!
Step 7
Sprinkle the grated Cheddar evenly over the gnocchi and transfer to the oven. Bake for 20–25 minutes until the cheese is golden, bubbling and crispy, and the gnocchi is tender. Remove from the oven and leave to rest for 5 minutes. Finish with fresh parsley and cracked black pepper. Serve with green beans and crusty bread for dipping!
