Pesto Chicken Gnocchi Bake: Easy & Delicious Dinner!
This Pesto Chicken Gnocchi Bake combines pillowy soft gnocchi with tender chicken and vibrant basil pesto, all baked to perfection with melted cheese. It’s a comforting and gourmet meal that’s surprisingly simple to prepare.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- Shelf-stable potato gnocchi
- Cooked chicken (shredded rotisserie chicken recommended)
- Basil pesto (homemade or store-bought)
- Halved cherry or grape tomatoes
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Chicken broth
- Milk or light cream
- Fresh spinach (optional)
- Salt
- Pepper
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Bring salted water to a boil. Add gnocchi and cook 1-2 minutes less than package directions until they float. Drain well.
- In a large bowl, combine pesto with chicken broth and milk (or cream), whisking until smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes.
- Add the drained gnocchi, cooked chicken, halved cherry tomatoes, and fresh spinach (if using) to the sauce bowl. Gently toss until evenly coated.
- Pour the mixture into your prepared baking dish, spreading evenly.
- Generously sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over the top, followed by grated Parmesan.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is melted, golden, and gooey. For an extra crispy top, broil for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully.
- Let the bake rest for 5-10 minutes after removing from the oven for the sauce to settle. Garnish with fresh basil or extra Parmesan, then serve!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: Don't overcook the gnocchi pre-baking. Customize your veggies by adding favorites like sautéed mushrooms or diced bell peppers. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice enhances flavor, and you can make the dish ahead of time and refrigerate before baking.