Robby Lozano, Culinary Artist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Coordinator: Prissy Montiel
Have you ever stumbled upon online recipes that feature “Marry Me Chicken”? These are the sorts of dishes where chicken breasts are generously coated in a creamy Parmesan and sun-dried tomato sauce. There’s a legend that if you prepare this dish, it’s bound to inspire a marriage proposal. Though there’s no certainty, it’s undeniable that serving this chicken and gnocchi creation can set the stage for a lasting bond, at least in the realm of culinary romance. To create this dish, start by seasoning chicken cutlets with Italian herbs and searing them in sun-dried tomato oil. Follow this with gnocchi that’s simmered to perfection in a fragrant blend of sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, chicken broth, and cream. It promises to be an instant hit from the first bite.
You can easily concoct your own Italian seasoning blend using dried spices you likely already have at home. Mix equal parts of dried basil, oregano, rosemary, marjoram, thyme, and a touch of crushed red pepper.
Ingredients:
– 4 (4-ounce) chicken breast cutlets
– 1 1/2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
– 1 teaspoon kosher salt
– 1/3 cup drained and chopped sun-dried tomatoes in oil, plus 2 tablespoons oil from the jar (from a 7-ounce jar), divided
– 3 cloves garlic, finely minced (about 1 tablespoon)
– 1 cup chicken broth
– 3/4 cup heavy cream
– 1 (16-ounce) package potato gnocchi
– 1 (5-ounce) package baby spinach
– 1 ounce Parmesan cheese, grated (1/4 cup)
Instructions:
1. Pat the chicken dry and season both sides with the Italian seasoning and salt.
2. Heat the tomato oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until fully cooked, about 4 minutes, flipping once. Remove to a cutting board.
3. Add the tomatoes and garlic to the skillet and cook over medium heat, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Pour in the broth and cream, and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat.
4. Add the gnocchi and simmer, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 1 minute. Add the spinach in handfuls, stirring continuously, until wilted and the gnocchi is tender, about 2 minutes.
5. Turn off the heat and stir in the cheese. If necessary, add a little water or extra broth to thin out the sauce.
6. Slice the chicken and arrange on top of the gnocchi mixture.
Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm in a skillet with additional broth to loosen the sauce.
*The % Daily Value (DV) indicates how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. A daily intake of 2,000 calories is used for general nutritional guidance.
