There’s something so comforting about a warm, cheesy casserole bubbling away fresh from the oven—that’s exactly what you get with this Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Bake Recipe. The tender chicken, pillowy gnocchi, and rich sauce make it a dish you’ll want to serve again and again.

A white pan filled with a creamy sauce containing five browned pieces of chicken on top. The sauce has a light beige color with visible herbs and small green spinach leaves mixed throughout. There are several gnocchi pieces in the sauce, which are round and yellowish. The sauce looks thick and rich, covering all ingredients evenly. The pan is placed on a white marbled surface with a wooden spoon on one side and a striped cloth on the other. A small white bowl with salt and some cheese chunks sit nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Bake Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Bake Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Bake Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Bake Recipe quickly became a favorite in my kitchen because it’s such a perfect blend of cozy textures and flavors. It’s easy enough for a weeknight, yet special enough to impress guests without the fuss.

Velvety Cream Sauce: The combo of cream, chicken broth, and melted mozzarella creates a luscious sauce that clings perfectly to every gnocchi.
Pillowy Gnocchi: They cook up light and tender, soaking up all those savory flavors beautifully.
Simple One-Skillet Prep: Everything gets cooked and combined in one pan, minimizing cleanup and time in the kitchen.
Customizable Comfort: Easily tweak herbs, cheese, or add-ins to fit your mood and pantry.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Bake Recipe plays its part to create that balanced, rich flavor and texture. Choosing the right gnocchi and fresh spinach really elevates the dish, while herbs add a fragrant depth.

Flat lay of a mound of fresh potato gnocchi, two whole boneless skinless chicken thighs with smooth pale pink skin, a small pile of chopped yellow onion, three whole uncracked garlic cloves, three small heaps of dried basil, oregano, and thyme, a small white ceramic bowl filled with all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl containing low-sodium chicken broth, a small white ceramic bowl with heavy cream, a neat pile of shredded mozzarella cheese, a bunch of fresh baby spinach leaves, a small white ceramic bowl with grated Parmesan cheese, and a pinch of coarse salt and black pepper scattered artfully, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Potato gnocchi: Their soft, pillowy texture is essential—it’s the star pasta here, embracing every bit of sauce.
Boneless skinless chicken thighs: They stay juicy and tender much better than breast meat when baked.
Yellow onion: Adds sweetness and a gentle background flavor once softened.
Garlic: A classic aromatic that wakes up all the flavors.
Dried basil, oregano, thyme: These Italian herbs layer in subtle, earthy complexity without needing fresh herbs.
All-purpose flour: Helps thicken the sauce for that creamy consistency.
Low-sodium chicken broth: Adds savory depth and keeps the sauce from being too heavy.
Heavy cream: Richness that gives the sauce that truly creamy mouthfeel.
Mozzarella cheese: Melts smoothly, creating a stretchy, gooey texture.
Fresh baby spinach: Adds a pop of color, freshness, and mild earthiness.
Parmesan cheese: A sharp, nutty finish sprinkled on top that bakes to a golden crust.

Note: Exact ingredients and measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

Make It Your Way

One of the coolest things about this Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Bake Recipe is how easy it is to make your own. I often swap cheeses or toss in mushrooms to mix things up, and sometimes I swap chicken thighs for breasts when I want it leaner.

Variation: Adding sautéed mushrooms gives an earthiness I love; it reminds me of cozy fall dinners.
Dairy-Free: Try swapping cream for coconut milk and use dairy-free cheese—just expect a different but still delicious twist.
Vegetarian: Skip the chicken and add extra spinach and mushrooms along with some grilled sweet peppers.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Bake Recipe

The image shows a close-up of a creamy dish in a pan, featuring multiple golden-brown cooked chicken pieces partially covered in a thick, light beige sauce with visible herbs and specks of black pepper. The sauce contains soft, light yellow gnocchi and bright green spinach leaves, evenly mixed throughout. A woman's hand holds a wooden spoon lifting one chicken piece, coated in the creamy sauce with some grated cheese on top. The sauce looks smooth and rich with a slightly glossy texture, and the chicken pieces have a lightly browned, slightly crispy surface. The white marbled background adds a clean contrast to the warm colors of the dish. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Cook the Gnocchi and Prep Chicken

I start by boiling the gnocchi in plenty of water until they float, which usually takes 2-3 minutes. To keep them from sticking, I toss with a drizzle of olive oil right after draining. Meanwhile, I season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper, then sear them in olive oil until golden and just shy of done—they’ll finish cooking in the oven later, so don’t overcook here.

Step 2: Build the Flavor Base

Using the same skillet, I soften the onions until tender, then add garlic and herbs for that aromatic lift. Sprinkling in the flour and cooking it out is key to avoid a raw taste and helps thicken the sauce perfectly. Make sure to stir constantly when adding broth to prevent lumps—patience here will reward you with a silky sauce.

Step 3: Finish the Sauce and Bake

Once the sauce thickens, I turn off the heat and stir in cream and mozzarella until smooth and melty. Tossing in fresh spinach last lets it wilt gently, adding freshness and color. Then, in goes the gnocchi, coated in that luscious sauce, and the chicken is nestled on top. I finish with a sprinkle of Parmesan and pop the skillet in a 400°F oven until everything bubbles and the chicken hits 165°F.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks that really elevate this Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Bake Recipe from good to great—things I wish I knew the first time around.

Sear the Chicken Well: That golden crust adds amazing flavor and texture, so don’t rush this step. It’s the difference between bland and restaurant-worthy.
Stir Constantly When Adding Broth: Prevents lumps and results in a luxuriously smooth sauce every time.
Don’t Overcook Gnocchi: Once they float, drain promptly and add oil to stop sticking—overcooked gnocchi get mushy fast.
Use an Oven-Safe Skillet: Makes transferring straight to the oven seamless and saves on extra dishes.

How to Serve Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Bake Recipe

Creamy Chicken Gnocchi - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love finishing this bake with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or basil for brightness. A few cracks of fresh black pepper on top add a little kick, and a light dusting of extra Parmesan right before serving makes it just perfect.

Side Dishes

To keep the meal balanced, I often serve this with a crisp green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette or roasted seasonal vegetables—roasted broccoli or carrots pair especially well with the creamy richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, I like plating individual servings in small ramekins topped with a little extra Parmesan and broiled briefly for a golden crust. Garnish each with a sprig of thyme or basil for an elegant touch that wows guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Any leftovers go straight into an airtight container and into the fridge, where they keep well for about 3 days. I always let it cool slightly before refrigerating to avoid sogginess in the gnocchi.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this dish a few times, and it actually freezes nicely—just be sure to cool completely before freezing in a tightly sealed container. Thaw overnight in the fridge for best texture when reheating.

Reheating

Reheating on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of broth or cream helps revive the sauce’s creaminess. You can also nuke it in the microwave, but stir halfway through so it heats evenly and doesn’t dry out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use store-bought gnocchi for this recipe?

Yes! Store-bought gnocchi works perfectly and saves time. Just be sure to cook it according to package instructions until they float before mixing into the sauce.

What’s the best way to avoid soggy gnocchi?

Toss the cooked gnocchi with a little olive oil right after boiling, and avoid overcooking them. Baking the dish with cheese on top also helps the gnocchi hold their shape and texture.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

To make this gluten-free, use gluten-free gnocchi and substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch as a thickener for the sauce.

How do I know when the chicken is cooked through?

Using a meat thermometer is the easiest way—chicken thighs should reach an internal temperature of 165°F. The searing step partially cooks the chicken, and it finishes baking in the oven.

Final Thoughts

I genuinely love how this Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Bake Recipe strikes the perfect balance between cozy comfort food and a dish that feels a bit fancy without any stress. It’s one of those reliable weeknight meals that your whole family will ask for again, and you’ll feel pretty proud serving something this good on a busy evening. Give it a go—once you’ve tried it, I think you’ll keep it in your rotation too!