Chicken Parmesan Gnocchi (Print Version)

A comforting skillet meal of shredded chicken, gnocchi, marinara, and a crisp, cheesy topping.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
02 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
03 - 1/2 cup minced onion (1 small onion)
04 - 3 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken recommended)
05 - 17.6 ounces gnocchi (fresh or shelf-stable, not dried)
06 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
07 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
09 - 24 ounces pasta or marinara sauce
10 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

→ Panko Topping

11 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
12 - 3/4 cup panko bread crumbs
13 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
14 - 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
15 - 2 tablespoons freshly chopped basil

# Step-by-Step:

01 - Position an oven rack in the upper third of your oven and preheat the broiler on low setting.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large oven-proof skillet over medium heat. Sauté garlic and onion for approximately 3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
03 - Add gnocchi to the skillet and stir well. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly golden.
04 - Stir in shredded chicken, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 5 minutes to heat through.
05 - While the chicken mixture heats, melt butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Add panko, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning; stir until well combined.
06 - Remove the cover from the skillet. Sprinkle mozzarella evenly over the gnocchi mixture, then distribute the panko mixture evenly over the cheese layer.
07 - Transfer skillet to the preheated oven. Broil for 5 to 7 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the panko develops a golden brown crust.
08 - Remove from oven and sprinkle with fresh basil. Serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The whole thing comes together in a single skillet, which means minimal cleanup and maximum flavor layering.
  • Gnocchi absorbs the marinara beautifully while staying pillowy, creating that textural contrast everyone craves.
  • That panko topping adds a crispy, cheesy counterpoint that makes the dish feel restaurant-worthy despite being genuinely easy.
02 -
  • Don't skip the toasting step with the gnocchi—those golden spots actually change the texture and prevent the whole dish from becoming one-note and mushy.
  • Watch the broiler closely; five to seven minutes is a huge range depending on your oven's temperament, and the difference between perfect and overdone is about ninety seconds.
03 -
  • Use rotisserie chicken because it's already seasoned and won't dry out during the brief cooking time—it's one of those shortcuts that actually makes the dish better.
  • Don't let the panko topping mixture sit too long after mixing; make it while the gnocchi is cooking so the butter stays incorporated and melts evenly during broiling.
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