Chicken Parmesan Gnocchi

If Chicken Parmesan Gnocchi sounds like the kind of dinner that could save your sanity on a weekday… you’re in the right kitchen. This is that “everyone’s fed, everyone’s happy, and I didn’t destroy my whole house doing it” kind of meal.

We’re talking pillowy gnocchi, saucy marinara, tender shredded chicken (hello, rotisserie shortcut), and a cheesy, crispy Parmesan-panko topping that makes the whole skillet taste like a warm Italian hug. And the best part? It’s ready in about 30 minutes and you only need one skillet—which means fewer dishes and more time to do literally anything else (including sitting down for once).

I’m Aneta, and around here we love chicken because it plays nice with just about every flavor and every schedule. This recipe is pure Chicken Magic: comforting, quick, and just fancy enough to feel like you tried extra hard… even if you didn’t.

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Parmesan Gnocchi

• One-skillet dinner: Cook it, broil it, serve it—same pan.
• 30 minutes-ish: Perfect for busy nights when everyone’s hungry now.
• Rotisserie chicken shortcut: Because we’re not here to suffer.
• Crispy topping + melty cheese: The best parts of chicken parm without breading and frying.
• Picky-eater friendly: It’s cheesy pasta-adjacent, so it’s basically a parenting hack.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll grab (no complicated stuff, promise):

• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Garlic cloves (fresh minced is best, but garlic powder works in a pinch)
• Onion
• Cooked chicken (shredded rotisserie chicken = the MVP)
• Potato gnocchi (fresh or thawed from frozen—not dried)
• Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper
• Pasta sauce (store-bought marinara or homemade)
• Mozzarella cheese (shredded)
• Panko bread crumbs
• Parmesan cheese (grated)
• Butter (melted)
• Fresh basil leaves (for serving)

Optional (but fun): red pepper flakes for a little sass.

Refer to the recipe card below for exact ingredient measurements and full nutritional information.

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

Put down your fancy kitchen gadgets—this is the easy path.

1) Get the broiler ready

Move an oven rack to the top third of your oven. Turn on your broiler while you prep. This helps the topping crisp up fast later.

2) Sauté the flavor starters

Heat an oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil.

Toss in your diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until the onion looks soft and a little see-through (and your kitchen starts smelling like you’re winning at life).

3) Cook the gnocchi in the skillet

Add the uncooked potato gnocchi right into the skillet.

Let it cook for about 3–4 minutes total, stirring after about 2 minutes so the gnocchi gets a little golden in spots. You’re not trying to fully brown every piece—just waking them up.

4) Add the chicken + sauce

Stir in:

• Shredded cooked chicken
• Marinara sauce
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper

Mix until everything is cozy and coated.

5) Cover and let it simmer

Reduce heat to low, cover the skillet, and cook for 5 minutes. This softens the gnocchi and lets the sauce soak into all the nooks and crannies (gnocchi are basically little sauce sponges, and we love them for it).

6) Make the crispy Parmesan topping

While the skillet simmers, grab a bowl and combine:

• Panko bread crumbs
• Parmesan cheese
• Remaining Italian seasoning
• Melted butter

Stir until the crumbs look evenly moistened. This is the “chicken parm magic dust,” and yes, it’s okay to taste a pinch. (Just don’t eat all of it standing over the sink… unless you do. No judgment.)

7) Top it like you mean it

Remove the lid. Sprinkle the skillet with:

1. Shredded mozzarella
2. The panko-Parmesan topping

8) Broil until bubbly and golden

Slide the skillet under the broiler and cook until:

• the cheese is melted
• the topping is golden brown

This usually takes 5–7 minutes, but broilers are wild creatures, so keep an eye on it. It can go from “perfect” to “oops” faster than a toddler finds a Sharpie.

9) Rest and serve

Let it cool for 2–3 minutes (so you don’t burn your mouth in the name of dinner—been there).

Top with fresh basil leaves and serve hot. Add red pepper flakes if your household enjoys a little heat.

Cooking Tips From My Kitchen to Yours

• Use fresh or thawed gnocchi: Dried gnocchi won’t cook the same way in this quick skillet method.
• Don’t skip the broiler watch: Stay nearby—this is not the time to fold laundry “real quick.”
• Want extra crisp? Broil an extra minute, but hover like a hawk.
• Sauce too thick? Stir in a splash of water or chicken broth before topping.
• No oven-safe skillet? Cook everything on the stovetop, then transfer to a baking dish for the broiler step.

And if your topping clumps a little when mixing with butter—congrats, you’re human. It’ll still crisp up beautifully.

A Little Story From Me (Because This Dish Has Saved Me)

The first time I made a version of this, I was in that familiar end-of-day spiral: hungry family, low energy, and exactly zero interest in washing multiple pans. I had chicken, I had sauce, and I had gnocchi sitting there like, “Pick me, coach.”

I threw it all in one skillet, topped it with buttery crumbs and mozzarella, and when it came out of the broiler bubbling and golden… the kitchen went quiet. You know that kind of quiet—the everyone’s too busy eating to talk quiet. That’s when I knew Chicken Parmesan Gnocchi had officially earned a permanent spot in my weeknight rotation.

FAQs About Chicken Parmesan Gnocchi

Bring the Skillet to the Table

If your weeknight dinner routine needs a little spark, Chicken Parmesan Gnocchi is that cozy, cheesy, crispy-topped answer. It’s fast, filling, family-friendly, and it tastes like you worked way harder than you did (which is honestly the dream).

Make it once, and I have a feeling it’ll become one of those “keep in your back pocket” recipes—the kind you pull out when life gets busy, cravings hit, or you just want a warm skillet of comfort that makes everyone smile. Happy cooking!

Keep the Chicken Love Going (More Cozy Dinners!)

If you loved how warm-and-cheesy this skillet moment was, here are a few more reader-favorite meals that pair perfectly with the same “easy, comforting, and no drama” vibe—save them for the next busy night:

• Craving another Italian-style comfort dinner? Try Dump and Bake Chicken Parmesan Casserole for that classic chicken parm flavor with even less effort.
• If you’re in a gnocchi mood again (because same), you’ll love Boursin Bacon and Broccoli Gnocchi—creamy, cozy, and totally weeknight-friendly.
• Want to stretch that rotisserie chicken shortcut into another easy win? Make Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta for a fast, family-pleasing dinner.
• If your house loves cheesy, baked comfort (aka happiness in a dish), bookmark High Protein Chicken Parmesan Casserole for a hearty option that still feels like a treat.

And if you make this recipe, I’d LOVE to hear how it went—please leave a quick review and tap your star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (it helps other readers find the good stuff, too!).

Print