Description
A creamy and comforting chicken and gnocchi bake featuring golden seared chicken thighs, tender potato gnocchi, and a rich spinach and mozzarella sauce, baked to bubbly perfection with Parmesan cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound potato gnocchi
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs cut in half
- 2 cups chopped yellow onion
- 3 cloves garlic minced (or 1 ½ teaspoons minced garlic)
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the gnocchi: Boil the gnocchi in a large pot of boiling water until they float to the top, about 3 minutes. Drain and drizzle with a little olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
- Preheat and sear chicken: Preheat oven to 400°F. Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, sear chicken skin side down for 7-8 minutes until golden. Flip and cook until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and cook onions until softened, about 3 minutes. Add garlic, basil, oregano, and thyme; cook for 1 minute. Sprinkle flour over mixture and stir until translucent.
- Add broth and thicken sauce: Gradually pour in chicken broth while stirring constantly. Simmer mixture for 4-5 minutes until thickened and smooth, ensuring no flour clumps remain.
- Finish sauce: Turn off heat and stir in heavy cream and mozzarella cheese until melted. Add fresh spinach and stir on low heat until wilted.
- Combine and bake: Gently fold cooked gnocchi and seared chicken back into the sauce. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top. Transfer skillet to oven and bake for 12 minutes until cheese bubbles, melts, and chicken reaches 165°F. Serve warm and enjoy.
Notes
- Add red pepper flakes, fresh basil, mushrooms, or Italian seasoning for extra flavor.
- Try alternative cheeses like fontina, gruyere, or smoked mozzarella for different taste profiles.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat on stovetop or microwave.
- Ensure chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F for food safety.
- Calories and nutrition info are estimates based on four servings; consult a nutritionist for precise dietary needs.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
