Description
Rich layers of homemade chicken parmesan gnocchi bake promise comfort on a plate. Crispy chicken, melted cheese, and pillowy gnocchi create a hearty Italian-inspired meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb gnocchi (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (rotisserie chicken works well)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs (optional, for a crispy topping)
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- ½ tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp dried oregano
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 400F (200C), setting the stage for a delectable culinary adventure.
- Gnocchi Preparation: Boil gnocchi in salted water until they float to the surface, then drain and set aside these tender potato pillows.
- Flavor Foundation: Heat olive oil in an ovenproof skillet, sauté minced garlic until fragrant, releasing its aromatic essence.
- Sauce Creation: Pour marinara sauce into the skillet, incorporate basil and oregano, allowing the herbs to infuse and warm for a brief moment.
- Protein and Pasta Integration: Fold cooked chicken and prepared gnocchi into the herbed tomato sauce, ensuring each component is generously coated.
- Cheese Transformation: Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan generously across the dish, creating a luxurious cheese layer. Optional: Toss panko breadcrumbs with olive oil and distribute evenly for a crispy topping.
- Baking Finale: Transfer skillet to the preheated oven, bake for 15-20 minutes until cheese melts into a golden, bubbling masterpiece.
- Serving Flourish: Remove from oven, let rest briefly, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve while piping hot.
Notes
- Gnocchi Perfection: Ensure gnocchi are fresh and plump; overcooking leads to mushy texture. Remove from water immediately when they float to prevent disintegration.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Use freshly grated cheese for smoother melting and better flavor distribution. Mix mozzarella and Parmesan for a rich, creamy top layer.
- Chicken Preparation: Use pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken for quicker assembly. Shred or dice chicken into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent flavor.
- Crispy Breadcrumb Hack: Toast panko breadcrumbs lightly before adding to enhance crunchiness and prevent sogginess during baking. Adds delightful textural contrast to the creamy dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 56 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg