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Weeknight • Chicken

Weeknight Pesto Chicken Gnocchi Bake

Chewy gnocchi, tender chicken, and vibrant pesto baked in a cheesy sauce make a quick and comforting meal.

Prep
10 min
Cook
25 min
Servings
4
Level
Weeknight
Weeknight Pesto Chicken Gnocchi Bake

When you need comfort food fast, this Weeknight Pesto Chicken Gnocchi Bake is here to save the day! Pillowy gnocchi, juicy chicken, and bright pesto all come together in a creamy, cheesy sauce, baked until bubbly and golden. It’s a super simple dish with big flavors, perfect for any busy evening.

Ingredients

Yield: 4 servings

Main

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (16 oz) package potato gnocchi (shelf-stable or refrigerated)
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup basil pesto
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil, for garnish

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.

  2. Step 2

    Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet (or a regular skillet if transferring) over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.

  3. Step 3

    Add chopped onion to the same skillet and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

  4. Step 4

    Stir in the uncooked gnocchi, chicken broth, and heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring, until the sauce starts to thicken slightly.

  5. Step 5

    Remove from heat. Stir in the pesto, cooked chicken, half of the mozzarella cheese, and the Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Mix everything until well combined.

  6. Step 6

    Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.

  7. Step 7

    Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese on top is melted and lightly golden. For extra browning, you can briefly broil for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully.

  8. Step 8

    Let rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil. Delicious!

Tips

  • Add a handful of spinach or cherry tomatoes to the bake for added veggies.
  • Use your favorite store-bought pesto or homemade pesto for this recipe.
  • If you don't have gnocchi, this recipe works great with rotini or penne pasta (cook pasta al dente before adding to skillet).

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