This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This Chicken Alfredo Gnocchi Bake recipe has pillowy gnocchi, tender chicken, the most delicious homemade Alfredo sauce, and a layer of melty mozzarella on top.
For another family-friendly meal, try this Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo Bake next.
This baked gnocchi recipe is a good one. I ended up testing it a couple times to get it just right, and let’s just say that it’s hard not to dive in as soon as you’ve taken it out of the oven. The golden baked mozzarella is just the icing on the cake.
This recipe is pretty straightforward. You start by making the Alfredo sauce in a skillet, and then the gnocchi and cooked chicken are added in and warmed through. Half the parmesan cheese is stirred in, and then you then transfer it all to a baking dish and top it with the rest of the cheese and bake it. The gnocchi finishes cooking, the sauce reduces, and you’re left with one delicious dinner.
This chicken gnocchi bake is fast/easy enough for busy weeknights (it uses rotisserie chicken), but it’s great for company or when you’re having a bad day and pasta is your go-to. Or is gnocchi actually a dumpling? That’s a conversation for another day.
These photos weren’t exactly the easiest to take, and I feel like they don’t really capture the recipe in all its glory. Beige-on-beige-on-beige. 😛
I like adding cream cheese to my Alfredo sauce. It makes it easier to work with, and that tangy flavor makes it taste so good (so say my lovely readers, and I couldn’t agree more).
Love cozy pasta bakes? Try this Creamy Cheesy Chicken Tetrazzini.
What kind of gnocchi to use?
I use the shelf stable gnocchi (found in the dry pasta aisle).
Recipe notes & tips:
- I haven’t had a chance to test this with cauliflower gnocchi (I’m actually in Canada and Trader Joe’s doesn’t exist here), so I can’t say for sure that it’ll work with it. The potato gnocchi release starch which helps thicken the sauce up. With that said, you could always give it a try and reduce the sauce for a bit longer or bake it for a little longer to get the desired consistency.
- I recommend grating your own parmesan cheese (yes, I say this in like every blog post because it really does make a difference). Keep a block of parm in your fridge and use this cheese grater to make magic.
- As always, sub ingredients at your own discretion. This recipe has been tested with the ingredients suggested, and using lower fat alternatives may not yield good results (i.e. thinner sauce and potential curdling issues), but feel free to experiment if you don’t have the ingredients in stock.
What to serve with Chicken Alfredo baked gnocchi:
This meal is quite rich, so a light side salad would go perfectly… or go all out with the carbs and have some garlic bread!
More delicious recipes with Alfredo sauce:
- Alfredo Tortellini Bake
- Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo
- Easy Shrimp Alfredo
- Cajun Chicken and Shrimp Alfredo
- 15 Minute Creamy Alfredo Gnocchi
Questions about this Chicken Alfredo Gnocchi Bake? Let me know in the comments below. As always, tag me #saltandlavender on Instagram if you’ve made one of my recipes.
Chicken Alfredo Gnocchi Bake
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 4 ounces cream cheese (1/2 block Philly) softened
- 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 pound uncooked potato gnocchi
- 2 cups cooked chicken
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese divided
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Take the cream cheese out of the fridge at least an hour prior to starting the recipe, or microwave it for 20-30 seconds (should be very soft). Preheat the oven to 375F and move the rack to the top third of the oven.
- Melt the butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.
- Stir in the cream cheese (I cut it into smaller pieces first), cream, and broth. Cook it for 4-5 minutes, stirring nearly constantly, until the cream cheese has melted in. Don't cook it for much longer because we don't want the sauce to get too thick since it still has to be baked.
- Add the gnocchi and chicken to the skillet. Continue cooking, stirring often, for 3 minutes.
- Stir in half the parmesan then remove the skillet from the heat.
- Transfer the skillet mixture to a 9x13 baking dish. Spread it out in an even layer.
- Top the gnocchi with the remaining parmesan and the mozzarella.
- Bake, uncovered, for 25-30 minutes. Let it sit for 5 minutes prior to serving (the sauce will thicken a bit more as it cools). Season with salt & pepper if needed.
Notes
- Serves 4-6 depending on portion size/what you serve it with.
- Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
© Salt & Lavender Inc. Content and photographs are copyrighted. Sharing this blog post is much appreciated, but copying and pasting full recipes without authorization to social media is strictly prohibited.
This was amazing – and i wanted to eat the entire casserole. Of course, I changed some things to what I had on hand, but wow. We loved it!
That’s awesome!! 😀
Hi Natasha,
I made this dish last night for dinner for my 86 yr old Mom and my gluten intolerant daughter…..a challenge in itself 🙂 ….didnt have any pre cooked chicken, so I cubed up chicken breast and flash fried it. Also started with sautéing/caramelizing an onion before adding the garlic, and continued on from there. I did find the flavor of the sauce to be on the blander side, so added some garlic and onion powder and old bay in place of salt. Used Gluten free gnocchi. Had no Motza, used white cheddar. No heavy cream on hand, used coffee cream. I was determined to make this!! I think next time Ill add some precooked bacon!
This dish was really a great comfort food, rich and filling. Best way I have ever had gnocchi !!!! So pleased I didnt have to preboil it first too!
Will be checking out your other recipes 🙂
I’m so happy that you were able to adapt it!! 😀 Thanks so much for your detailed review, Carrie!
I made this for dinner tonight and could’ve easily eaten the whole thing. So easy to make and absolutely delicious!! Thanks for sharing so many awesome recipes!
I’m thrilled you enjoyed it, Angela!!
I make fresh gnocchi, do I need to boil it first? Thanks!
I think so. I haven’t tested it with fresh gnocchi, though, so I am just guessing here. Let me know how it goes if you try. 🙂
Can this dish be frozen?
I don’t recommend freezing this one due to dairy etc.
My family LOVED this! So easy to make and so so delicious. I am putting it into our meal rotation right now.
Fantastic!! 😀
Where do you add the chicken broth and cream?
Step 3.
Hi! Is this recipe used with rotisserie chicken, or should I cook the chicken on the stove ?
I used a rotisserie chicken. Any already cooked chicken is fine. Enjoy! 🙂
Can this be made and baked in one pot — a dutch oven?
I suppose you could give that a try… I don’t see why it wouldn’t work. Let me know! 🙂
Do I precooked the gnocchi before adding to the sauce or will they cook when baking in the oven? Thanks
Hi! No, you add the uncooked gnocchi and it starts cooking in the skillet and finishes cooking the oven. 🙂
Can you use frozen gnocchi? If so, do you boil it first before adding it in?
Hi! I think for this recipe, it probably would be best to boil it first. There’s a chance it could thaw quickly if you just add it to the pan, but I can’t really be sure without testing. Hope you enjoy the recipe! 🙂
Is the baking time the same if you double the recipe?
Hi Katie! I haven’t tested it, so I can’t say for sure, but I’d probably test after the recommended time and then pop it back in the oven for a little while longer if needed. Hope you enjoy the recipe. 🙂