Description
A creamy and comforting dish featuring tender chicken, crispy bacon, and pillowy gnocchi in a rich ranch sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 8 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled
- 1 packet (1 oz) dry ranch seasoning mix
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika (optional)
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened and cubed
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1.5 pounds shelf-stable potato gnocchi
- 2 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped (optional)
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar or Parmesan
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or chives, for garnish
- Juice of 1/2 lemon (optional)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch + 1 tablespoon water (optional slurry, if thicker sauce desired)
Instructions
- Crisp the bacon: Cook your bacon in a skillet over medium heat until it reaches a deliciously crispy texture. Drain on paper towels and crumble it for toppings. Reserve about one tablespoon of bacon fat for added flavor if desired.
- Prepare the chicken mixture: In a 6-7 quart slow cooker, place the chicken breasts, ranch seasoning, chicken broth, minced garlic, onion powder, black pepper, and paprika. Drizzle in the reserved bacon fat for an extra flavor boost.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker and set it to low for 210-240 minutes (or high for 120-150 minutes). The chicken should become tender and easily shred with a fork.
- Shred the chicken: Once fully cooked, use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker, mixing it well with the broth and seasoning.
- Incorporate cream cheese: Stir in the cubed cream cheese until it melts and creates a smooth, luscious texture.
- Add heavy cream: Slowly pour in the heavy cream while stirring. If you prefer a thicker sauce, whisk the cornstarch with water and mix it in at this stage.
- Incorporate the gnocchi: Add the gnocchi to the slow cooker and cook on high for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally until they plump up and are tender.
- Fold in greens and bacon: Gently fold in the chopped spinach (if using) and half of the crumbled bacon. Stir until the spinach wilts slightly.
- Melt the cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheese into the mixture and stir until melted and creamy. If desired, add lemon juice for a refreshing brightness.
- Taste and serve: Adjust the seasoning as needed, then serve hot, topped with the remaining bacon and sprinkled with parsley or chives for that extra flair.
Notes
Feel free to experiment with ingredients such as turkey bacon for a leaner option or different cheeses for unique flavor profiles.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 240 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: crockpot, chicken, bacon, ranch, gnocchi, creamy, comfort food, slow cooker