Get ready to meet your new weeknight obsession: Crack Chicken Gnocchi. This recipe takes all the irresistible flavors of classic crack chicken—savory bacon, creamy ranch, and sharp cheddar—and combines them with soft, pillowy gnocchi. It’s a one-pan wonder that delivers maximum comfort with minimal cleanup, all in about 30 minutes. If you’re looking for a dish that will have everyone asking for seconds, this is it.
We designed this recipe to be as simple as possible without sacrificing a single ounce of flavor. You’ll love the rich, velvety sauce that coats every single piece of gnocchi and chicken. It’s the kind of satisfying, hearty meal that’s perfect for a busy evening when you’re craving something truly delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Crack Chicken Gnocchi Recipe
One-Pan Simplicity: Everything cooks in a single skillet, which means less time washing dishes and more time enjoying your meal.
Fast and Easy: From start to finish, this dish is ready in just 30 minutes, making it the perfect solution for busy weeknights.
Packed with Flavor: The combination of ranch seasoning, crispy bacon, and two kinds of cheese creates a savory, creamy, and utterly addictive sauce.
Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: It’s a warm, cheesy, and satisfying dish that appeals to both kids and adults alike. A true family favorite!
What Exactly is “Crack Chicken”?
If you’re new to the phenomenon, “Crack Chicken” is a wildly popular flavor combination for a reason. It gets its name from its addictive quality! The core components are shredded chicken, cream cheese, ranch seasoning, cheddar cheese, and crispy bacon. It’s traditionally served as a dip or a sandwich filling, but its creamy, savory profile works beautifully in casseroles, pasta, and, as we’ll see here, with gnocchi.
You can't beat that creamy, cheesy texture.
Key Ingredients for Success
This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients to create its signature flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:
Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces work best for quick cooking.
Gnocchi: Shelf-stable potato gnocchi is perfect. You’ll find it in the pasta aisle of most grocery stores.
Bacon: Use a good quality bacon, as its rendered fat is used to cook the chicken, adding a foundational layer of flavor.
Cream Cheese: For the ultimate creamy sauce, use full-fat block cream cheese. It melts better and resists breaking.
Ranch Seasoning: A simple packet of dry ranch seasoning brings that signature tangy, herby flavor.
Cheddar Cheese: Freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese will melt more smoothly than pre-shredded varieties.
Chicken Broth: This helps create the sauce and cooks the gnocchi right in the pan.
Green Onions: For a fresh, mild oniony bite that cuts through the richness.
How to Make Crack Chicken Gnocchi Step-by-Step
Making this one-pan meal is incredibly straightforward. Follow these simple steps for perfect results every time.
Cook the Bacon: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the chopped bacon until it’s crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set it aside on a paper towel-lined plate, leaving about a tablespoon of the rendered fat in the skillet.
Build the Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chicken broth to the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Whisk in the ranch seasoning, then add the cubed cream cheese. Continue to whisk until the cream cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
Cook the Gnocchi: Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Add the potato gnocchi to the skillet, stirring to coat. Cover the skillet and let the gnocchi cook for 3-5 minutes, or until they are tender and plump.
Combine and Melt: Uncover the skillet and stir in the cooked chicken and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Once the cheese is melted and everything is heated through, top with the remaining cheddar, the crispy bacon, and freshly sliced green onions. Serve immediately.
All the cheesy, creamy goodness cooked up in just one pan!
Tips for the Best Gnocchi Skillet
Don’t Overcook the Gnocchi: Gnocchi cooks quickly! Keep an eye on it to prevent it from becoming mushy. It’s done when it’s soft and tender.
Use Freshly Shredded Cheese: Pre-shredded cheeses are often coated with anti-caking agents that can make your sauce gritty. Shredding your own from a block ensures the creamiest possible melt. If you love rich and savory dishes, you might also enjoy this Cowboy Butter Chicken recipe.
Scrape the Pan: When you add the chicken broth, use a wooden spoon to scrape up all the flavorful browned bits (the “fond”) from the bottom of the skillet. This adds immense depth to the sauce.
Delicious Variations to Try
While this recipe is fantastic as is, it’s also a great base for customization. Here are a few ideas:
Add Veggies: Stir in a cup of frozen peas or a handful of fresh spinach during the last few minutes of cooking for a pop of color and extra nutrients.
Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a finely diced jalapeño along with the chicken for a spicy kick.
Change the Protein: This dish would also be delicious with leftover shredded rotisserie chicken or even ground sausage. For another great chicken dish, check out our Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Store any leftover Crack Chicken Gnocchi in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can gently warm it in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of milk or chicken broth to loosen the sauce. You can also microwave it in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until heated through.
What to Serve with Crack Chicken Gnocchi
This is a rich and hearty dish, so it pairs best with simple, fresh sides. A light green salad with a vinaigrette dressing, steamed broccoli, or roasted green beans would all be excellent choices to round out the meal.
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 heated through and tender.
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal because they cook quickly and are easy to cut into bite-sized pieces. However, you could also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs or even pre-cooked rotisserie chicken stirred in at the end.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of milk or chicken broth to help loosen the sauce and restore its creamy texture.
While this recipe is designed for a skillet, you could adapt it. Cook the chicken, ranch seasoning, and cream cheese on low for 3-4 hours. Stir in the gnocchi and cheese during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Note that the bacon should be cooked separately and added at the end to maintain its crispiness.
If you don’t have a ranch packet, you can make your own blend. Combine 1 tablespoon of dried parsley with 1 teaspoon each of garlic powder, onion powder, and dried dill. Add a pinch of salt and pepper.
More Hearty Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoyed this one-pan dinner, you’ll love exploring our other easy and flavorful recipes. This Cajun Chicken Orzo is another fantastic single-skillet meal with a spicy twist. We hope you love this dish as much as we do! Be sure to leave a comment below and share your creations with us on Pinterest!
Save this recipe! You have to try this amazing 30-minute Crack Chicken Gnocchi.
Crack Chicken Gnocchi Recipe
FL Recipes
Crack Chicken Gnocchi: The Ultimate One-Pan Comfort Meal
This Crack Chicken Gnocchi is the ultimate one-pan comfort food! Tender chicken and pillowy gnocchi are coated in a creamy, addictive sauce made with bacon, ranch, and cheddar cheese. Ready in just 30 minutes!
1lbboneless, skinless chicken breastcut into 1-inch pieces
1cupchicken brothlow-sodium
1ozpacket dry ranch seasoning
8ozblock cream cheesecubed and softened
16ozpackage potato gnocchishelf-stable
2cupsshredded sharp cheddar cheesedivided
1/4cupsliced green onionsfor garnish
Equipment
1 Large Skillet
1 Cutting Board
1 Knife
Method
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the chopped bacon until crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the skillet.
Add the chicken pieces to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
Reduce heat to medium. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Whisk in the ranch seasoning, then add the cubed cream cheese. Whisk continuously until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Bring the sauce to a simmer and stir in the gnocchi. Cover and cook for 3-5 minutes, until the gnocchi are tender and have floated to the top.
Uncover the skillet and stir in the cooked chicken and 1 cup of the cheddar cheese. Once the cheese is melted, remove from heat. Top with the remaining cheese, crispy bacon, and sliced green onions. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Calories: 650kcalProtein: 38gFat: 40gFiber: 2g
Notes
For the creamiest sauce, ensure your cream cheese is softened to room temperature before adding it to the pan. Feel free to add a handful of spinach at the end for extra greens. Do not overcook the gnocchi or it can become mushy.
Keyword bacon ranch chicken,chicken gnocchi,crack chicken,one pan recipe
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
