30 minute dinners, lunch/dinner meal prep

Pesto Chicken Gnocchi Bake

October 27, 2025

This creamy, cheesy Pesto Chicken Gnocchi Bake is the ultimate 25-minute one-pan dinner. Made with juicy chicken, pillowy gnocchi, cherry tomatoes, and a cozy basil pesto cream sauce, it’s an easy weeknight recipe that feels restaurant-level.

Creator: Leslie Stokes

Okay, I’m just going to say it — this might be my new favorite weeknight dinner.

It’s cozy, cheesy, and somehow tastes like something you’d get at a cute Italian restaurant, but it’s made in one skillet in under 30 minutes. The kind of meal that makes you feel like you’ve got it all together… even when the kids are asking what’s for dinner for the fifth time and you haven’t even preheated the oven yet.

This Pesto Chicken Gnocchi Bake is basically comfort food that doesn’t make you feel heavy. The chicken adds protein, the gnocchi gives it that soft, pillowy texture, and the pesto sauce? Perfection. The way it melts together with the cream and cheese creates the creamiest, dreamiest sauce — and the cherry tomatoes give a little pop of brightness that balances everything out.

When I first made this, I stirred the cheese into the sauce, but honestly, it’s way better just melted on top. You get that perfect golden, bubbly crust that looks gorgeous when you pull it out of the oven — and it keeps the sauce underneath smooth and velvety instead of overly thick. Lesson learned: sometimes simpler really is better.

Why You’ll Love This for Busy Weeknights

As a mom of three, I live for dinners like this — minimal cleanup, ingredients I always have on hand, and the kind of meal that feels “special” without the effort. This one hits all the marks:

It’s comforting but balanced (protein, carbs, veggies, all in one pan).
It reheats beautifully, so it’s perfect for meal prep or leftovers.
It looks impressive enough for a cozy dinner party or date night in.

You could serve it with a side salad, garlic bread, or roasted green beans — but honestly, it’s a full meal on its own.

This is one of those recipes that checks every box: quick, creamy, hearty, kid-approved, and completely foolproof. If you’re in a dinner rut, I promise this one will pull you right out.

Tips for Making It Perfect Every Time

Use chicken thighs for maximum flavor. They stay juicy and hold up beautifully to baking.
Don’t pre-cook the gnocchi. Let them cook right in the sauce — they soak up flavor and help naturally thicken the dish.
Swap the greens. Kale adds more texture and a slightly earthy bite, but spinach keeps it soft and creamy.
Make it dairy-free. Use coconut cream or almond milk with a little dairy-free pesto and mozzarella alternative.
Add more veggies. Zucchini, broccoli florets, or even sun-dried tomatoes would be amazing here.

Meal Prep & Storage Tips

This recipe holds up surprisingly well for meal prep — I actually like it even better the next day!

To Store:

Let the bake cool completely before transferring it to airtight containers. Refrigerate for up to 4 days.

To Reheat:

Microwave in 45-second intervals, stirring in between, or warm in the oven at 350°F for 10–12 minutes. Add a splash of milk or cream before reheating to revive the sauce and bring back that fresh-from-the-oven texture.

To Freeze:

You can assemble everything ahead (before baking), cover tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen at 375°F for 25–30 minutes, until hot and bubbly.

Pro Tip:

If you’re meal prepping individual portions, use small glass containers so you can pop them straight into the microwave or oven for an easy grab-and-heat lunch.