Description
This Creamy Chicken Pesto Gnocchi recipe combines tender diced chicken, rich pesto, and creamy sauce with soft potato gnocchi, creating a quick and comforting one-pan meal. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this dish offers a flavorful blend of garlic, parmesan, and fresh basil, all cooked together in a skillet for a creamy, satisfying experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 2 chicken breasts, diced
Produce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup basil leaves
Dairy
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
Pantry
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ cup pesto
- ¼ cup chicken broth
- 1.1 pound uncooked potato gnocchi
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Brown the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a high-sided skillet or Dutch oven over high heat. Add the diced chicken breasts and cook for 2 minutes until nicely browned on all sides.
- Sauté Garlic and Add Pesto: Reduce heat to low and add butter and minced garlic to the skillet. Stir for about 30 seconds until fragrant, then mix in the pesto evenly.
- Add Cream and Broth: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring well to combine all ingredients. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Cook the Gnocchi: Add the uncooked potato gnocchi to the pan and cover with a lid. Let cook over medium-low heat for 5 minutes so the gnocchi soften and absorb the flavors.
- Finish Cooking Gnocchi: Remove the lid, stir the mixture well, and continue cooking uncovered for another 2 minutes to thicken the sauce slightly.
- Add Cheese and Basil: Stir in the grated parmesan cheese until melted and incorporated. Remove the pan from heat and fold in fresh basil leaves.
- Season and Serve: Taste the sauce and season with salt and pepper as needed. Serve the creamy chicken pesto gnocchi immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use fresh or thawed chicken breasts diced into bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
- For a more vibrant pesto flavor, use homemade or high-quality store-bought pesto.
- If chicken broth is not available, vegetable broth or water can be a substitute though flavor may be reduced.
- Fresh potato gnocchi works best, but frozen gnocchi can also be used—adjust cooking time as needed.
- Grated parmesan cheese adds a salty, savory depth; consider substituting with Pecorino Romano for a sharper taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: creamy chicken pesto gnocchi, chicken gnocchi recipe, easy Italian dinner, one pan gnocchi, creamy garlic pesto sauce
