Have you ever tasted something so delicious you'd marry the person who made it? Well, this marry me chicken gnocchi might just be that dish! I created this recipe last month when Emily and I were craving something cozy but didn't want to spend hours in the kitchen. The creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and pillowy gnocchi came together in just 30 minutes, and wow – the flavor is absolutely incredible!
If you've tried any of my other "marry me" recipes like my Marry Me Chicken Orzo or Marry Me Chicken Meatballs, you know these dishes are special.
This gnocchi version might be my favorite yet – it's got all that creamy, savory goodness but with the added bonus of those tender potato dumplings that soak up the sauce so perfectly.
Why You'll Love This Chicken and Gnocchi Combo

- Ready in just 30 minutes from start to finish
- Uses simple ingredients you probably already have
- The creamy sauce is absolutely drool-worthy (seriously!)
- Pillowy gnocchi cooks right in the sauce for maximum flavor
- Everything cooks in one pan for minimal cleanup
- Perfect for date night or a quick family dinner
- Leftovers (if you have any!) reheat beautifully
Ingredients for Marry Me Chicken Gnocchi
- 1½ lb potato gnocchi
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ tablespoon Herbs de Provence
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (or to taste)
- ½ tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ cup onions, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- ⅓ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 10 g fresh basil, chopped (plus more for garnish)
- ½ cup chicken stock
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup water (optional, use according to preference)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
How to Make This Incredible Marry Me Chicken Gnocchi
Preparing the Chicken
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot.
- Add the cubed chicken breast and season with smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
- Cook the chicken until it's white and no longer pink in the middle, about 5-6 minutes.


Creating the Sauce Base
- Add the chopped onions, butter, and minced garlic to the chicken. Sauté until the onions are soft, the garlic is fragrant, and the butter has melted, about 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in the tomato paste and sun-dried tomatoes. Cook for another minute, allowing the tomato paste to caramelize slightly.


Adding Gnocchi to Your Chicken Dish
- Pour the chicken stock and heavy cream into the skillet. Season with Herbs de Provence and red pepper flakes, then stir to combine.
- Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then add the gnocchi directly to the sauce. (If the sauce seems too thick, add up to 1 cup of water according to your preference.)
- Cook the gnocchi in the sauce for 3-4 minutes, following package instructions, or until they're soft and tender.


Finishing Your Marry Me Gnocchi
- Add the Parmesan cheese and chopped basil, stirring gently to combine everything. Taste for seasoning and adjust with salt and pepper as needed.
- Simmer for one more minute, then remove from heat.
- Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired.
Storage Tips for Leftover Chicken Gnocchi
I definitely prefer serving gnocchi the day it's made—the texture is just perfect when it's fresh!
However, if you do have leftovers (which rarely happens in our house!), here's what to do:
- Store in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- When reheating, add a splash of water or chicken stock to loosen the sauce, as it will thicken when cold.
- Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until just warmed through.

Make Your Own Version of Marry Me Chicken Gnocchi
Dietary Adaptations
- Make it vegetarian: Skip the chicken and use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock. You might want to add mushrooms or spinach for extra texture and flavor. I tried this version for my vegetarian friend Lucy, and she couldn't stop raving about it!
- Dairy-free option: Check out how I make my Dairy-Free Marry Me Chicken and apply the same principles here. Use coconut cream, soya heavy cream, or plain coconut milk in place of the heavy cream.
- Gluten-free needs: Many store-bought gnocchi contain wheat, so look specifically for gluten-free gnocchi, or try my Keto Marry Me Chicken and serve it over cauliflower gnocchi!

Try These Flavor Twists with Chicken Gnocchi
- Add a handful of fresh spinach during the last minute of cooking
- Throw in some sautéed mushrooms for an earthy flavor
- Include a splash of white wine before adding the stock
- Try it with Italian sausage instead of chicken
Frequently Asked Questions About Marry Me Chicken Gnocchi
Marry Me Chicken Gnocchi pairs beautifully with light sides like a fresh green salad, roasted vegetables, garlic bread, or a glass of white wine. Since the dish is rich and creamy, simple sides that balance the richness work best.
Yes, you can make the chicken and sauce ahead of time, but it's best to cook the gnocchi fresh when serving. Store the prepared chicken mixture separately in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, then cook the gnocchi and combine everything when ready to serve.
Turn store-bought gnocchi into something extra special by cooking it straight in the sauce, just like this recipe suggests, so it soaks up all the goodness. For even more texture and taste, try lightly toasting the gnocchi in butter first, then finish with freshly grated Parmesan, a handful of fresh herbs, and a splash of good olive oil.
Recipes You May Like
- Creamy Mushroom Garlic Chicken – Another quick, creamy chicken dish that's perfect for weeknights
- Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken – If you love this marry me chicken, you'll adore this garlicky version
- Crockpot Marry Me Chicken Pasta – For days when you want all the flavor with even less hands-on time
Final Thoughts on This Delicious Marry Me Chicken Gnocchi
There's a reason dishes like this get the "marry me" name – they're the kind of food that makes people fall in love! The combo of tender chicken, pillowy gnocchi, and that creamy sun-dried tomato sauce is just magical.
I've made this recipe three times in the past month alone, and Emily now requests it weekly!
What I love most is how something so special can be so easy to make. You don't need fancy techniques or hard-to-find ingredients – just 30 minutes and one pan.
Whether you're cooking for a date, your family, or just treating yourself to something delicious, this marry me chicken gnocchi hits all the right notes.
If you try this recipe, please let me know in the comments! I'd love to hear if it earned its "marry me" status in your home too.




Marry Me Chicken Gnocchi
Equipment
- Large Skillet
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb potato gnocchi
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast cut into cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 0.5 tablespoon Herbs de Provence
- 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes or to taste
- 0.5 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.5 cup onions chopped
- 3 garlic cloves finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 0.33 cup sun-dried tomatoes chopped
- 10 g fresh basil chopped, plus more for garnish
- 0.5 cup chicken stock
- 0.5 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup water optional, use according to preference
- 0.5 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese plus more for garnish
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot.
- Add the cubed chicken breast and season with smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine. Cook the chicken until it's white and no longer pink in the middle, about 5-6 minutes.
- Add the chopped onions, butter, and minced garlic to the chicken. Sauté until the onions are soft, the garlic is fragrant, and the butter has melted, about 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in the tomato paste and sun-dried tomatoes. Cook for another minute, allowing the tomato paste to caramelize slightly.
- Pour the chicken stock and heavy cream into the skillet. Season with Herbs de Provence and red pepper flakes, then stir to combine.
- Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then add the gnocchi directly to the sauce. (If the sauce seems too thick, add up to 1 cup of water according to your preference.)
- Cook the gnocchi in the sauce for 3-4 minutes, following package instructions, or until they're soft and tender.
- Add the Parmesan cheese and chopped basil, stirring gently to combine everything. Taste for seasoning and adjust with salt and pepper as needed.
- Simmer for one more minute, then remove from heat. Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired.
Erika says
This was absolutely delicious, it makes for great leftovers as well. Making this again for dinner tonight!
Sarah says
So happy you loved it, Erika!