Description
Chicken Parmesan Gnocchi is a comforting, flavorful dish combining tender shredded chicken, pillowy gnocchi, and savory Italian seasonings baked under a golden layer of mozzarella cheese and crispy panko topping. This one-pan recipe is perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner that delivers classic Italian flavors with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup minced onion (about 1 small onion)
- 3 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken recommended)
- 17.6 ounces fresh gnocchi
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 24 ounces pasta sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Panko Topping
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ¾ cup panko bread crumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons freshly chopped basil
Instructions
- Preheat Broiler: Place an oven rack in the upper third of your oven and preheat the broiler on low to prepare for melting the cheese and crisping the topping later.
- Sauté Aromatics and Gnocchi: Heat olive oil in a large oven-proof skillet over medium heat. Sauté minced garlic and onion for about 3 minutes until translucent. Add gnocchi, stirring after 2 minutes, and cook overall for 3 to 4 minutes until slightly golden.
- Add Chicken and Sauce: Stir in shredded chicken, pasta sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine all ingredients. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and cook for 5 minutes to heat through.
- Prepare Panko Topping: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter. Add panko bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and chopped basil. Mix thoroughly until combined.
- Assemble and Broil: Remove the skillet’s cover and evenly sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the top. Distribute the prepared panko crumb topping evenly over the cheese. Place the skillet under the broiler for 5-7 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the topping is golden brown.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh gnocchi rather than dried to achieve a tender, pillowy texture.
- If you don’t have a rotisserie chicken, cooked shredded chicken from other sources works well.
- Keep a close eye during broiling to avoid burning the cheese and bread crumb topping.
- Freshly chopped basil adds a burst of flavor; you can substitute dried basil if needed but add less quantity.
- This dish can be made in advance and reheated; just add the panko topping and broil at the end for crispiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
