Get ready to meet your new favorite comfort food. This Crack Chicken Gnocchi combines tender potato gnocchi with shredded chicken, crispy bacon, and a rich, creamy ranch cheese sauce. It’s an irresistible one-pan meal that comes together in under 40 minutes, making it perfect for any busy weeknight.
We’ve taken all the addictive flavors of our popular Crack Chicken Sandwiches and transformed them into a hearty pasta dish. The result is a family-friendly dinner that’s guaranteed to have everyone asking for seconds.
Why You’ll Love This Crack Chicken Gnocchi Recipe
- Quick & Easy: This entire meal cooks in one skillet, meaning minimal cleanup and maximum flavor.
- Incredibly Flavorful: The combination of ranch, bacon, and two types of cheese creates a savory sauce that’s simply out of this world.
- Customizable: Easily adapt this recipe with different cheeses, add veggies, or try our slow cooker variation for a hands-off meal.
- Ultimate Comfort Food: Soft, pillowy gnocchi smothered in a cheesy sauce is the definition of comfort in a bowl.
What is Crack Chicken?
“Crack Chicken” is a popular flavor combination that earned its name for being completely addictive. The core components are shredded chicken, cream cheese, crispy bacon, and ranch seasoning. This trio creates a creamy, savory, and tangy flavor profile that works beautifully in dips, sandwiches, and, as you’ll see here, pasta dishes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients to create a truly spectacular dish. Here’s what you’ll need to gather.
- Bacon: Provides a crispy, salty, and smoky foundation.
- Chicken Breast: Boneless, skinless chicken breast works best. You can also use chicken thighs.
- Garlic & Onion: The aromatic base that builds the flavor of the sauce.
- Chicken Broth: Forms the liquid base of the sauce, helping to cook the gnocchi.
- Dry Ranch Seasoning: The signature tangy and herby flavor of crack chicken.
- Cream Cheese: Makes the sauce incredibly rich, creamy, and smooth.
- Potato Gnocchi: Shelf-stable or refrigerated gnocchi works perfectly.
- Cheddar & Mozzarella Cheese: A blend of sharp cheddar for flavor and mozzarella for that perfect cheese pull.
- Green Onions: Adds a fresh, mild oniony bite for garnish.
How to Make Crack Chicken Gnocchi (One-Pan Method)
Making this cheesy Crack Chicken Gnocchi is easier than you think. Follow these simple steps for a perfect one-pan dinner.
Step 1: Cook the Bacon
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until it’s crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set it aside on a paper towel-lined plate, leaving about one tablespoon of bacon grease in the skillet.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Cook them in the hot bacon grease for 5-7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken, let it rest for a few minutes, then shred it with two forks.
Step 3: Sauté Aromatics
Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Step 4: Create the Creamy Sauce
Pour in the chicken broth and sprinkle in the dry ranch seasoning, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then add the cubed cream cheese. Whisk until the cream cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
Step 5: Cook the Gnocchi
Add the gnocchi to the simmering sauce. Stir to coat, then cover the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes, or until the gnocchi are tender and have plumped up, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
Step 6: Combine and Finish
Stir the shredded chicken and half of the crispy bacon into the skillet. Sprinkle the cheddar and mozzarella cheese over the top. Cover the skillet again for 2-3 minutes to allow the cheese to melt. Garnish with the remaining bacon and sliced green onions before serving.
Slow Cooker Crack Chicken Gnocchi Variation
For a more hands-off approach, you can easily adapt this recipe for the slow cooker. It’s a perfect “dump-and-go” meal, similar to our beloved Crockpot Marry Me Chicken.
- Place the chicken breasts at the bottom of your slow cooker. Sprinkle the ranch seasoning over the top and place the cubed cream cheese on and around the chicken.
- Pour in the chicken broth. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours.
- Once cooked, remove the chicken, shred it, and return it to the crockpot. Stir everything together until a creamy sauce forms.
- Stir in the uncooked gnocchi, shredded cheeses, and cooked bacon. Cover and cook on high for another 20-30 minutes, or until the gnocchi is tender.
- Garnish with green onions and serve hot.
Tips for Perfect Gnocchi Every Time
- Don’t Overcook: Gnocchi cooks quickly! Keep a close eye on it. It’s done when it’s tender and slightly plump. Overcooking can lead to a mushy texture.
- Use a Large Skillet: Give the gnocchi enough room to cook evenly in the sauce without crowding the pan.
- Soften the Cream Cheese: For a smoother sauce, let your cream cheese soften at room temperature before adding it to the skillet.
Serving Suggestions
This Crack Chicken Gnocchi is a complete meal on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with a simple side salad, steamed broccoli, or some garlic bread to soak up every last bit of the delicious sauce. For a heartier meal, consider a side of roasted vegetables.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Store any leftover gnocchi in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, add a splash of milk or chicken broth to a saucepan over low heat, add the gnocchi, and stir gently until warmed through. You can also reheat it in the microwave in 30-second intervals.
Frequently Asked Questions
This dish is best served fresh as the gnocchi can soften too much upon reheating. However, you can cook the chicken and bacon ahead of time to speed up the process when you’re ready to eat.
Yes, you can use frozen gnocchi. There is no need to thaw it first, but you may need to add 2-3 minutes to the cooking time to ensure it’s cooked through and tender.
The key is to not overcook it. Gnocchi cooks very quickly. Once it begins to float in the sauce and is tender to the bite, it’s done. Simmer gently and stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
If you don’t have cream cheese, you can substitute it with an equal amount of mascarpone cheese for a similarly rich and creamy texture. Neufchâtel cheese also works well as a lower-fat alternative.
The easiest way is to use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment. Mix the warm, cooked chicken breasts on low speed for 15-20 seconds. Alternatively, you can use two forks to pull the meat apart.
More Recipes You’ll Love
If you loved this dish, you’ll surely enjoy the cheesy goodness in our Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta or the comforting flavors of this Gnocchi Chicken Pot Pie.
Crack Chicken Gnocchi Recipe
Crack Chicken Gnocchi (The Ultimate Cheesy Recipe!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside, reserving 1 tablespoon of grease in the skillet.
- Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper and cook in the skillet for 5-7 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through. Remove, let rest, and then shred the chicken.
- Add the diced onion to the skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes until soft. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth and ranch seasoning, scraping up any browned bits. Bring to a simmer.
- Add the cubed cream cheese and whisk until it melts into a smooth sauce.
- Stir in the gnocchi. Cover and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gnocchi are tender.
- Stir in the shredded chicken and half of the cooked bacon. Top with the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese. Cover and let the cheese melt, about 2-3 minutes.
- Garnish with the remaining bacon and sliced green onions before serving.
Notes
Don't overcook the gnocchi, as it can become mushy. It's ready once it's tender and plump.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
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