Easy Chicken Parmesan Gnocchi Bake (One-Pan Dinner)

If you’re craving a cozy, comforting dinner that feels a little indulgent but is still easy enough for a weeknight, this Chicken Parmesan Gnocchi Bake is going to steal your heart. It’s cheesy, saucy, and packed with tender chicken and pillowy gnocchi—all baked together in one pan for maximum flavor and minimal cleanup.

I love this recipe because it takes everything we adore about classic chicken parmesan and turns it into a fuss-free bake. No breading, no frying, just simple ingredients layered together and popped into the oven until bubbly and golden. It’s the kind of meal that makes the kitchen smell amazing and brings everyone running to the table.

Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or just want leftovers you’ll actually look forward to, this Chicken Parmesan Gnocchi Bake delivers comfort, flavor, and ease in every bite.

More Comfort Food Recipes to Try

• Golden Parmesan Crusted Salmon
• Oven-Baked Chicken
• Marry Me Chicken Meatballs

Everything You’ll Need for This Chicken Parmesan Gnocchi Bake

• Shelf-stable potato gnocchi – 16 oz (450 g)
• Cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded – 2 cups (about 12 oz / 340 g)
• Marinara sauce – 2 cups (480 ml)
• Heavy cream – ½ cup (120 ml)
• Mozzarella cheese, shredded – 1 ½ cups (170 g)
• Parmesan cheese, freshly grated – ½ cup (50 g)
• Garlic, minced – 2 cloves
• Olive oil – 1 tablespoon (15 ml)
• Italian seasoning – 1 teaspoon
• Salt – ½ teaspoon (or to taste)
• Black pepper – ¼ teaspoon
• Red pepper flakes – ¼ teaspoon (optional, for heat)
• Fresh basil or parsley, chopped – for garnish (optional)

How to Make Chicken Parmesan Gnocchi Bake (Step-by-Step)

1. Preheat the oven
   Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or oven-safe skillet with olive oil.
2. Build the sauce base
   In a large bowl, stir together the marinara sauce, heavy cream, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Mix until smooth and well combined.
3. Add gnocchi and chicken
   Gently fold the gnocchi and cooked chicken into the sauce until everything is evenly coated. Make sure the gnocchi is fully covered so it cooks perfectly in the oven.
4. Transfer to baking dish
   Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
5. Add the cheese layer
   Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the top, then finish with the grated Parmesan cheese for that classic chicken parmesan flavor.
6. Bake until bubbly
   Bake uncovered for 30–35 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling around the edges and the cheese is melted and lightly golden on top.
7. Rest and garnish
   Remove from the oven and let the bake rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley just before serving.

💡 Tip: If you love an extra golden top, broil for 2–3 minutes at the end—just keep a close eye on it so it doesn’t burn.

TIPS & VARIATIONS

Pro Tips to Make This Bake Even Better

• Use rotisserie chicken for speed. It saves time and adds great flavor, making this Chicken Parmesan Gnocchi Bake even easier on busy nights.
• Don’t boil the gnocchi first. The gnocchi cooks directly in the sauce, soaking up all that cheesy, tomato goodness.
• Grate your own cheese. Freshly grated mozzarella and Parmesan melt smoother and give you that irresistible bubbly top.

Easy Variations to Try

• Make it extra cheesy: Add an extra ½ cup (55 g) of mozzarella if you love a gooey center.
• Add veggies: Stir in 1 cup (150 g) of sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini for a veggie boost.
• Lighten it up: Swap heavy cream for half-and-half (½ cup / 120 ml) for a lighter sauce.
• Spicy twist: Increase the red pepper flakes or drizzle hot honey over the top after baking.

Make-Ahead & Storage Tips

• Make ahead: Assemble the bake, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
• Store leftovers: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Reheat: Warm in the oven at 350°F (175°C) or in the microwave until heated through.

SERVING IDEAS

Best Ways to Serve Chicken Parmesan Gnocchi Bake

• With a fresh salad: Serve this Chicken Parmesan Gnocchi Bake alongside a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette to balance the richness.
• Garlic bread on the side: Warm garlic bread or a crusty baguette is perfect for scooping up every bit of that cheesy sauce.
• Weeknight comfort meal: Enjoy it on its own as a hearty, satisfying dinner that doesn’t need much else.
• Family-style for gatherings: Place the baking dish right in the center of the table and let everyone serve themselves—it’s always a hit.
• Add a finishing touch: Sprinkle extra Parmesan or fresh basil right before serving for a restaurant-style feel.

This dish works beautifully for cozy weeknights, casual dinners with friends, or anytime you want comfort food without extra effort.

FAQs

Recipe

Yield: 1 baking dish

Chicken Parmesan Gnocchi Bake

Print

This Chicken Parmesan Gnocchi Bake is a cozy, one-pan dinner made with tender chicken, pillowy gnocchi, rich marinara sauce, and plenty of melted cheese. Easy, comforting, and perfect for busy weeknights.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

• Shelf-stable potato gnocchi – 16 oz (450 g)
• Cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded – 2 cups (about 12 oz / 340 g)
• Marinara sauce – 2 cups (480 ml)
• Heavy cream – ½ cup (120 ml)
• Mozzarella cheese, shredded – 1 ½ cups (170 g)
• Parmesan cheese, grated – ½ cup (50 g)
• Garlic, minced – 2 cloves
• Olive oil – 1 tablespoon (15 ml)
• Italian seasoning – 1 teaspoon
• Salt – ½ teaspoon (or to taste)
• Black pepper – ¼ teaspoon
• Red pepper flakes – ¼ teaspoon (optional)
• Fresh basil or parsley, chopped – optional garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or oven-safe skillet with olive oil.
   
2. Mix the sauce in a large bowl by combining marinara sauce, heavy cream, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
   
3. Add gnocchi and chicken to the sauce and stir until everything is evenly coated.
   
4. Transfer to the baking dish and spread the mixture into an even layer.
   
5. Top with cheese by sprinkling mozzarella evenly over the top, followed by the Parmesan cheese.
   
6. Bake uncovered for 30–35 minutes, until the sauce is bubbling and the cheese is melted and lightly golden.
   
7. Rest and garnish for 5 minutes before serving. Add fresh basil or parsley if desired.

Notes

Use rotisserie chicken to save time.

For a crispier top, broil for 2–3 minutes at the end, watching closely.

If the sauce looks thick, add ¼ cup (60 ml) extra marinara before baking.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4 Serving Size: About 1 ½ cups
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 520Total Fat: 24gCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 32g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients used.

This Chicken Parmesan Gnocchi Bake is one of those feel-good dinners you’ll want to make again and again. It’s warm, cheesy, comforting, and so easy that it fits perfectly into busy weeknights or relaxed family dinners without any stress.

If you try this recipe, don’t forget to save it for later and share it on Pinterest—it’s a total crowd-pleaser. I’d also love to hear how it turned out for you, so feel free to leave a comment and tell me if you added your own twist.

Happy cooking, and enjoy every cozy, cheesy bite 💛🍽️