Chicken Gnocchi Bake
An easy 5-ingredient dinner bursting with flavor!
When you want something comforting, flavorful, and unbelievably simple, this Chicken Gnocchi Bake hits all the right notes. With juicy chicken thighs, tender gnocchi, sweet roasted tomatoes, and gooey mozzarella pearls—all tossed in zesty Italian dressing—it’s a weeknight win that tastes like it took hours. But here’s the secret: it only takes 5 ingredients and just a few minutes of prep.
This dish has that cozy, baked-pasta feel without all the work. The gnocchi cooks right in the pan, soaking up all the flavorful juices from the chicken and tomatoes. The mozzarella gets perfectly melty and stretchy, and the Italian dressing gives everything a bright, herby kick that keeps you coming back for more.
Serve with Garlic Bread Twists and Tossed Green Salad for a complete meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Only 5 ingredients! Dinner doesn’t get easier.
- Minimal cleanup. Everything bakes together in one dish.
- Packed with flavor. The Italian dressing does the heavy lifting—seasoning the chicken, gnocchi, and tomatoes all at once.
- Family-friendly. Even picky eaters love this cheesy, hearty bake.
What you Need for Chicken Gnocchi Bake
- 4–6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes
- 1 (16 oz) package gnocchi (shelf-stable or refrigerated)
- 1 cup mozzarella pearls
- 1/2-1 cup Italian dressing
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Assemble the bake: Place chicken thighs in the baking dish. Scatter gnocchi and cherry tomatoes around the chicken.
- Add the flavor: Pour Italian dressing evenly over everything and toss gently to coat.
- Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F) and the gnocchi is tender.
- Add cheese: Sprinkle mozzarella pearls over the top and bake for another 5 minutes, until melty and gooey.
- Serve hot, spooning tomatoes and sauce over each piece of chicken.
- Garnish with fresh basil.
Tips & Variations
- Swap chicken thighs for chicken breasts or even Italian sausage if you prefer.
- Add a handful of spinach or basil before baking for extra color and freshness.
- For a golden finish, broil the top for 2–3 minutes after adding the mozzarella.
Storing & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warm.
More 5-Ingredient Dinners
If you love this easy Chicken Gnocchi Bake, try these:
- Pizza Chicken Bake
- Slow Cooker Easy Swedish Meatballs
- Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken
- Thai Peanut Chicken Wraps
- Chicken Stuffing Casserole
Chicken Gnocchi Bake
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken thighs boneless, skinless
- 2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes
- 16 ounce gnocchi shelf-stable or refrigerated
- 1 cup mozzarella pearls
- 1/2 cup Italian dressing up to 1 cup, depending on how saucy you want it
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Assemble the bake: Place chicken thighs in the baking dish. Scatter gnocchi and cherry tomatoes around the chicken.
- Add the flavor: Pour Italian dressing evenly over everything and toss gently to coat.
- Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F) and the gnocchi is tender.
- Add cheese: Sprinkle mozzarella pearls over the top and bake for another 5 minutes, until melty and gooey.
- Serve hot, spooning tomatoes and sauce over each piece of chicken.
Nutrition
Our recipe card software calculates these nutrition facts based on averages for the above ingredients, different brands, and quality of produce/meats may have different nutritional information, always calculate your own based on the specific products you use in order to achieve accurate macros for this recipe.
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