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    Fall Recipes » Basil Pesto Gnocchi

    Basil Pesto Gnocchi

    Posted On August 27, 2020 By Mirlene Last updated January 6, 2022 6 Comments

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    Pesto Gnocchi Chicken Pinterest Pin

    Chicken Pesto Gnocchi is a real crowd-pleaser. This timeless and easy main bears all the hallmarks of good Italian cooking. The gnocchi recipe marrying together simple ingredients to create a final result that’s bursting with flavour.

    • Chicken Pesto Gnocchi in white plate

    Slightly crunchy on the outside while being soft and delicious on the inside. This pesto gnocchi with chicken is comforting without being too heavy and quick enough to make during the week.

    Ideal for all seasons and with easy-to-find ingredients, this tasty dish is one you’ll definitely want to add to your repertoire.

    About Gnocchi

    Gnocchi are a perfect vehicle for the zingy, herb flavour of pesto. These soft and pillowy potato Italian dumplings are traditionally made of potatoes, flour and egg yolk and make for a versatile alternative to pasta.

    Once the dough is made, they cook in just a couple of minutes when submerged into a pot of salted boiling water. For this recipe, we will not utilize the boiling method, because we are going to enhance the crunchiness of the gnocchi by sautéing it instead.

    But if you follow the boiling method, you’ll know they’re done when they rise to the surface, where they can then be drained and simply mixed with your ingredients. Truly does not take long to boil, typically 2-3minutes depending on the amount.

    • Mixed gnocchi in white bowl

    Making your own gnocchi isn’t as daunting as it may seem, with no real technical skill required and few ingredients to work with. In a pinch, you can of course use pre-made gnocchi.

    And since we are all about fast and easy, but yet satisfying, we opted for the pre-made frozen gnocchi. An effortless recipe for your family in 30 minutes or less.

    But we also did something to help enhance the texture and bring out the flavor by not boiling the gnocchi, but sautéing it instead. And now, our gnocchi pesto recipe tastes and feels like restaurant quality.

    • List of ingredients on black board

    Chicken Cuts

    Chicken breast is ideal for this recipe as there’s very little preparation involved and its cooking time is minimal. Plus, chicken breast is not as fatty as other kinds of meat, and is packed full of protein that will keep you feeling full. 

    You can use skinless chicken thighs, but I highly recommend using chicken breast to make this dish.

    • Gnocchi topped with pesto and tomatoes in black bowl

    Properly seasoning your chicken as it cooks will help bring out the best of its flavor, and of course, salt and pepper added to taste.

    Make sure to properly preheat your pan, as this will make the outside of your chicken nice and golden brown while locking in all that meaty goodness.

    The key to a delicious chicken breast is not to overcook it – if over cook it, it will end up being dry.

    A whole breast cooked in a pan will take around 10 minutes on each side, though if you would prefer to cook yours in the oven you’ll have to allow for a few minutes more. For this recipe pesto gnocchi recipe, we will cut it into medium chunks and sauté the meat.

    Making The Basil Pesto Sauce

    This thick, herby sauce originated in Genoa, Italy, and consists of garlic, parmesan, pine nuts, olive oil and plenty of fresh basil. Although we have altered the sauce to suit our readily available ingredients, this sauce taste just as savory.

    • Pesto Sauce in blender

    Pesto has a beautiful fresh flavor with a hint of creaminess from the nuts, with a vivid green color that looks beautiful in any dish.

    • Pesto Sauce on spatula

    The consistency of pesto allows it to really coat the gnocchi, while the taste is an ideal partner for salty, savory chicken.

    • gnocchi topped with tomatoes and pesto sauce

    It takes a little effort to make, but a batch of fresh pesto will keep in the refrigerator for about a week, as long as it is stored in an airtight container.

    • Gnocchi mixed with pesto, tomatoes

    On nights when you really don’t feel like cooking, pesto mixed with some freshly cooked spaghetti can make for a perfect low-effort meal. 

    Top Tips For Making This Chicken Pesto Gnocchi & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

    Can you fry gnocchi without boiling it?

    If you are using the pre-made version (frozen), then you do not need to boil it first prior to frying. This pesto gnocchi was not boiled it was “cooked” and lightly browned with the chicken best.

    Is gnocchi pasta or potato?

    A little of both. Gnocchi is an Italian pasta. The most common gnocchi is prepared with mashed potatoes, flour and eggs.

    • Chicken Pesto Gnocchi in white plate
    • Which nuts to use – I have used pine nuts as they are traditionally used to make basil pesto, but you can also use cashews (used in this recipe), almonds, walnuts and pistachios. The preference is yours!
    • Store-bought or homemade Gnocchi – If you have the time to make homemade Gnocchi, go for it! If you don’t have the time, consider using store-bought ones from the frozen food section at the local grocery store. Either homemade or store-bought will work well in this recipe. Be mindful that gnocchi cooks much faster than “pasta”, once you see them floating to the top of the water, they are done (do not leave in the water).
    • Oil – Peanut oil works well with this dish, especially when cooking the chicken. Peanut oil is good for frying, sautéing, and flavor! Not to mention, it’s also good for your heart. If you do not have peanut oil, consider using a good quality extra virgin olive oil or grapeseed oil.
    • Storing leftovers – Leftover pesto sauce will last well in the fridge for up to 4 days (it may oxidase but just give it a stir). 

    More Favorite Pasta Recipes

    If you love Pesto Gnocchi with chicken and tomatoes, check out these delicious pasta recipes next:

    Baked Mac And Cheese With Broccoli

    Stovetop Mac And Cheese 

    Creamy Shrimp Scampi Linguine

    Instant Pot Chili Mac And Cheese

    • Pesto Chicken Basil Gnocchi with Tomatoes

    By the way, did you know that it warms our hearts to see the recipes you make from our site?

    We’d especially would love to know if you tried this recipe, tag us on Instagram or Facebook so we can see your beautiful dish.

    Also, we would appreciate if you could give it a star rating below!

    Delicious Pesto Chicken Gnocchi in white bowl on wooden spoon board

    Pesto Gnocchi With Chicken

    Savory Thoughts
    Make dinner time a breeze with this Chicken Pesto Gnocchi recipe. This crowd-pleaser meal is perfect for a weeknight dinner and bears all the hallmarks of good Italian cooking.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Dinner, Lunch
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 6 People
    Calories 400 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 Bags Frozen Gnocchi 14 Oz. Per Bag
    • 1 Pint Grape Tomatoes Cut In Halves
    • 2 Large Chicken Breast Cut In Bite Size
    • 2 Tbsp. Olive Oil
    • Salt and Pepper To Taste

    Pesto Sauce

    • 4 Cups Fresh Basil leaves
    • 1 Cup Whole Cashews
    • 1 ½ Cups Vegetable Oil Or Extra Virgin Olive Oil
    • 1 Tbsp. Lemon Juice
    • 3 Garlic Cloves

    Instructions
     

    • Wash and slice the grape tomatoes in halves and set aside.
      Wash and cut the chicken breast in bite size. Place in a bowl, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
      Over medium high heat, heat the oil in a pan. Then add the chicken. Cook until golden brown on all sides. This should take about 8-10 minutes depending on the cut size.
      Meanwhile, make the pesto sauce by adding all ingredients to a blender, and blend to a smooth saucy consistency. Set aside.
      Pesto Sauce in blender
    • Once all of the chicken has browned, add in the frozen gnocchi. You may run it under hot water quickly by placing the gnocchi bits in a bowl to thaw it out (no more than 1 minute). But this is NOT necessary unless it is completely frozen.
      Continue to stir to allow all of the gnocchi to cook, once you see some of the gnocchi pieces starts to turn golden brown, Transfer the chicken and gnocchi to a large bowl.
      Add in the pesto sauce and tomatoes, mix well combined.
      gnocchi topped with tomatoes and pesto sauce
    • Serve with cheeze (optional) and enjoy!
      Delicious Pesto Chicken Gnocchi in white bowl on wooden spoon board

    Video

    Notes

    Quick Tips For Making This Recipe

    • Store-bought or homemade Gnocchi –If you have the time to make homemade Gnocchi, go for it! If you don’t have the time, consider using store-bought ones from the frozen food section at the local grocery store. Either homemade or store-bought will work well in this recipe. Be mindful that gnocchi cooks much faster than “pasta”, once you see them floating to the top of the water, they are done.
    • Storing leftovers – Leftover pesto sauce will last well in the fridge for up to 4 days (it may oxidase but just give it a stir).
     
    ***Calories are estimated per serving***

    Nutrition

    Serving: 6PeopleCalories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 6gFat: 35gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 16gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gSodium: 86mgPotassium: 484mgFiber: 5gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 7IUVitamin C: 92mgCalcium: 14mgIron: 3mg
    Making this recipe?Mention @MSavoryThoughts or tag #SavoryThoughts!
    Tried this recipe?Mention @SavoryThoughts or tag #SavoryThoughts!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Gael Clark

      September 17, 2021 at 11:53 am

      Amazing recipe. I did it in the air fryer. Cooked the chicken first, then added the pesto and the gnocchi, then the tomatoes. Turned it every 5 minutes, then added fresh grated parmesan. OMG it was so good

      Reply
    2. Alexandra

      August 30, 2020 at 4:55 am

      5 stars
      Gnocchi wih pesto is our family favourite dinner right now! So delicious, and easy to prepare!

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        August 30, 2020 at 7:27 pm

        Glad to hear that.

        Reply
    3. Nart at Cooking with Nart

      August 29, 2020 at 10:06 pm

      5 stars
      This looks so good I just can’t! Love that you use chicken breast in this recipe 🙂

      Reply
    4. Irina

      August 28, 2020 at 1:15 am

      5 stars
      You “bought” me with the first picture! It looks so mouthwatering that I am already in the kitchen checking the list of ingredients! I cannot wait to give it a try. 🙂

      Reply
    5. Sharon

      August 28, 2020 at 12:47 am

      5 stars
      I am a hug fan of pesto sauce and gnocchi so the two of them coming together for this meal is fantastic!

      Reply

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