Creamy Pesto Chicken and Gnocchi Bake
A rich and cheesy creamy pesto chicken and gnocchi bake that brings together tender gnocchi, shredded chicken, spinach, and pesto in one comforting casserole. This easy one-pan dinner is perfect for family-friendly meals, meal prep, or casual entertaining. Quick to prep and always satisfying!
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken rotisserie or poached
- 1 lb potato gnocchi
- ½ cup prepared basil pesto store-bought or homemade
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil for greasing the pan
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil.
- Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked shredded chicken, uncooked gnocchi, pesto, baby spinach, minced garlic, heavy cream, half of the mozzarella, and Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Step 3: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.
- Step 4: Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Step 5: Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
- Step 6: Let the bake rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.
Notes
Secret Tips for the Best Creamy Pesto Chicken and Gnocchi Bake
- Choose High-Quality Pesto: The flavor of your creamy pesto chicken and gnocchi bake depends heavily on the pesto you use. Whether store-bought or homemade, opt for pesto made with real olive oil, fresh basil, and Parmesan. For an extra boost, stir in a little extra garlic or lemon zest before baking.
- No Need to Pre-Boil Gnocchi: One of my favorite tricks for one pan creamy chicken gnocchi bake is to skip boiling the gnocchi. It cooks perfectly in the creamy pesto sauce, soaking up all that rich flavor while keeping prep super simple.
- Add Texture with Breaded Chicken: While this recipe works with shredded or poached chicken, I sometimes use breaded chicken cutlets for extra texture and a golden, crispy contrast to the creamy pesto sauce. It turns your baked pesto chicken gnocchi into a true crowd-pleaser.
- Layer Your Cheese: For the ultimate gooey topping on your chicken pesto gnocchi bake, layer part of your mozzarella and Parmesan inside the dish, and sprinkle the rest on top. This gives you cheesy goodness in every bite—not just on the surface.
- Use Gluten-Free Gnocchi if Needed: To make your creamy chicken and gnocchi bake gluten-free, simply swap in gluten-free gnocchi and double-check that your pesto doesn’t contain any hidden gluten.
- Brighten It Up: Before serving your baked chicken and gnocchi casserole, finish it with a squeeze of lemon juice or a sprinkle of fresh basil. This balances the richness of the dish and gives it that restaurant-quality finish.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: This dish holds up beautifully for leftovers. I often prep a full easy chicken and gnocchi casserole with pesto on Sunday and portion it out for quick lunches or dinners throughout the week. It reheats like a dream!