{"id":34723,"date":"2021-08-31T22:58:25","date_gmt":"2021-09-01T03:58:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.slimmingeats.com\/blog\/?p=34723"},"modified":"2023-08-07T10:07:57","modified_gmt":"2023-08-07T15:07:57","slug":"creamy-crack-chicken-gnocchi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.slimmingeats.com\/blog\/creamy-crack-chicken-gnocchi","title":{"rendered":"Creamy Crack Chicken Gnocchi"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Crack Chicken Gnocchi - delicious tender pillows of gnocchi in a creamy delicious ranch style sauce with juicy chicken breast, melted cheddar and golden bacon. The only regret you will have is not making this dish. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Gnocchi with Creamy Sauce<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

My family are on a bit of a gnocchi kick right now, the kids absolutely love it and it's so quick to cook that it makes an easy meal any night of the week. They love it just simply tossed in some pesto or of course my delicious Bolognese Gnocchi Bake<\/strong><\/a> which has been well received by you all and is a really popular recipe on Slimming Eats. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tonight however the kids wanted a creamy sauce and one of there all time favourite creamy recipes is my Slow Cooker Crack Chicken<\/a> <\/strong>and you can guess where I am going here? I had the amazing idea to combine the two together for a delicious Crack Chicken Gnocchi. The kids were close to licking there bowls this was so darn good. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Crack Chicken?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You may be wondering, what on earth is Crack Chicken? It's a bit of a strange name right? I can only assume it got it's name because it's so good it's addictive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Traditional recipes you might find use Ranch seasoning, cream cheese, chicken, cheddar and bacon, some add mayonnaise and usually the final dish is served in a bun like a burger. When I cook however I usually serve with rice or mashed potatoes - heavenly!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But I have to say this Crack Chicken Gnocci beats any other combination. It's so so good and pure comfort in a bowl. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Best Cream Cheese for Crack Chicken<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For my slow cooker Crack Chicken recipe I use a light cream cheese (like Philadelphia), however with this recipe to keep the cals lower, I opt for laughing cow. Primula soft cheese may work also, but it's not available here in Canada so I haven't tested it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If however you are not following Slimming Eats and would prefer to use cream cheese then feel free to make the swap, you will want to use the exact same amount. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Warning!! <\/strong>Do not try to substitute with quark, you will completely ruin the dish, quark will not yield a creamy sauce, it's taste is actually sour and it also has a tendency to split when heated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ranch<\/strong> Seasoning<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Other recipes for Crack Chicken use packets of ranch seasoning mix, but I prefer to use a mixture of my own seasonings and dried herbs along with fresh ingredients like shallots and garlic cloves, it just adds a much fresher delicious flavour. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Traditionally ranch has buttermilk powder, but that can sometimes be quite hard to source, especially in the UK, instead I use some milk with a little lemon juice to add that similar flavour and it works perfectly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Poaching the Chicken Breast<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You may be wondering - why do you poach the chicken breast? is it not easier to just brown it in the pan? I prefer to poach the chicken in a little stock for this recipe, because it just keeps the chicken so much more juicy and tender.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, if you have some leftover cooked chicken from Sunday dinner for example, feel free to swap and use that instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can I cook the gnocchi separately?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I have only cooked this recipe as per my method in the recipe box, any variation from that would need to be an experiment on your part, cooking the gnocchi in the sauce helps it thicken with the starch, so your sauce may not be as creamy or thick if you try to cook it separately. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It cooks super quick too and it's just so much easier to throw it in the same pan. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note:<\/strong> I use the dry potato gnocchi that comes in a vacuum pack for this recipe, fresh may cook in less time and not yield the same result. If you want to use fresh gnocchi, I recommend letting the sauce cooking until it starts to thicken and just add the fresh gnocchi in for a couple of minutes it won't take as long to cook and will disintegrate if you cook for too long. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Best Bacon for Creamy Sauces<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You definitely want to use smoked bacon for this Crack Chicken Gnocchi as it will add so much more flavour. I use Lous Back Bacon<\/strong><\/a> with visible fat removed, it doesn't ever have much fat on it. Smoked Bacon Medallions are a good choice for lean bacon also. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cooking of the bacon is the point you don't want to rush. Try and cook it too fast and it will cook unevenly and burn, but don't cook enough and it will look anaemic and the sauce won't take on that lovely smokey flavour, As we use the flavour left in the pan from cooking the bacon when frying the shallot and garlic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I fry the bacon in a good quality non stick pan with some spray oil and really take the time to ensure every morsel is really lovely and golden<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sides for Crack Chicken Gnocchi<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You could serve this with some steamed or roasted greens of choice, like broccoli, asparagus or green beans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I paired it with a simple mixed salad of baby spinach\/kale with grated carrots, tomatoes and cucumber.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More Creamy Recipes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Love Creamy recipes like these? Check out some others on Slimming Eats:<\/p>\n\n\n\n