Creamy Pesto Gnocchi with Chicken (Printable)

Tender gnocchi and chicken in a creamy pesto sauce. An easy Italian weeknight dinner ready in just 35 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (14 oz), cut into 1-inch cubes
02 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
03 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
04 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Gnocchi

05 - 18 oz store-bought potato gnocchi

→ Sauce

06 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
07 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1 cup heavy cream
09 - 1/2 cup basil pesto
10 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
11 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Garnish

12 - Fresh basil leaves
13 - Extra grated Parmesan cheese

# How to Make It:

01 - Season chicken cubes evenly with kosher salt and black pepper.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add seasoned chicken and sauté for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
03 - In the same skillet, add butter and let melt. Add gnocchi and sauté for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and crisp on all sides.
04 - Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Pour heavy cream into the skillet and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring to deglaze the pan and incorporate browned bits.
06 - Stir in basil pesto and grated Parmesan cheese, mixing until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
07 - Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss everything to coat evenly in the sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
08 - Transfer to serving bowls and garnish with fresh basil leaves and extra Parmesan cheese.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • Texture: Sautéing the gnocchi in butter creates a satisfyingly crisp exterior.
  • Quick: Goes from prep to table in just 35 minutes.
  • Flavorful: The combination of basil pesto and heavy cream creates a velvety, aromatic sauce.
02 -
  • Check your pesto label for tree nuts (pine nuts) and gnocchi for wheat if you have dietary sensitivities.
  • If the sauce thickens too much while sitting, add a tiny splash of water or milk to loosen it up.
  • Freshly grated Parmesan will melt more smoothly into the cream sauce than pre-shredded cheese.
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