This delicious one-pot cheesy, chicken, and gnocchi is a perfect quick and easy dinner for a busy weeknight. It is going to be a staple on my menu.
This delicious one-pot chicken and gnocchi dish will be a regular on my menu. Quick and easy meals will be a necessity in my household....and there is a good reason why. I am very happy to announce that I have a new job! Yeah!!!
I just returned to office work this past week. This time I am in the healthcare industry. My new role is to help provide administrative support for two units of doctors. The hospital is a new environment for me to be in, but it is just where I want to be. I am so up to the challenge. Wish me luck!
The one thing I will miss dearly from my previous job is the commute to work. Having worked from home for the past 16 years, my commute has been as extensive as walking down one flight of stairs. (So spoiled!) My new commute is quite lengthy. So on those days after a long ride home in rush hour traffic, spending the bulk of my night cooking and cleaning up dinner is off the table. On those nights, easy peasy meals will be my weapon of choice.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Disclosure: This site contains paid advertising and affiliate links. In Good Flavor is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com
With a little help from store bought gnocchi and precooked chicken, this one-pot dinner comes together in 30 minutes (this includes prep time). That is all it takes! It is the perfect meal for a busy weeknight.
It all starts with making a butter and flour roux in a saucepan or skillet. Next comes the milk, chicken broth, diced carrots, and seasonings. Once the carrots are cooked tender, cheese is added to make the sauce thick and creamy. At this point, gnocchi is added and literally takes 3 minutes to cook. Finally, in goes chicken and peas the last minute of cooking.
To add a finishing touch, the dish is topped with crushed cracker crumbs and butter. The entire pot goes into the oven at low broil for a few minutes. Dinner is on the table!
Not only is this meal quick and easy, it is also versatile. The gnocchi adds a pillowy soft bite; the chicken provides lean protein; the cheese makes it rich and creamy; and the veggies add more nutrition and color. I use carrots and peas, but you can use other veggies of your choosing. Cut firm vegetables thin to keep down on cooking time. This recipe calls for shredded cheddar cheese, but go with your favorite cheese combination. I like to use freshly grated as it creates a creamier sauce. Add or swap out seasoning to suit your taste...use dry or fresh herbs. Tarragon would be great! Enjoy!
INGREDIENTS:
4 tbsp. butter, divided
2 tbsp. flour
1 heaping cup quartered and diced carrots, (about 1/8-inch thick)
1 1/2 cup milk
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. garlic powder
2 cups freshly shredded cheddar cheese (or your favorite combo)
1 (16 oz.) pkg. potato gnocchi (I use Pastene fresh vacuum packed)
2 cups diced or shredded cooked chicken
33 (one sleeve) butter flavor crackers (I use Ritz), crushed
33 (one sleeve) butter flavor crackers (I use Ritz), crushed
3/4 cup frozen peas
Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a saucepan or skillet on medium heat. Add flour, whisking for 1 to 2 minutes. Don't let roux mixture brown. Slowly whisk in milk, working out lumps. Increase heat to medium high. Add chicken broth, carrots, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Bring to a boil and reduce to medium low. Simmer until carrots are tender (about 6 to 7 minutes), stirring frequently.
Add cheese, whisking until smooth and creamy.
Add cheese, whisking until smooth and creamy.
Increase heat to medium high. Add gnocchi and cook until tender, about 3 minutes, stirring (gently) frequently with a wooden or rubber spoon to prevent sticking. Reduce heat to medium if sauce comes to a hard boil. When gnocchi is tender, add chicken and peas. Cook for one minute. Remove from heat.
Preheat oven to low broil. Place 2 tablespoons butter in a medium bowl and melt in microwave. Add cracker crumbs. Coat with butter. Place crumb mixture over content in saucepan. Place pan in oven and broil until crumbs are toasted and crispy, about 3 minutes. Garnish with parsley, optional. Makes 4 servings.
ALSO FOUND ON IN GOOD FLAVOR
One Pot Sausage, Brussel Sprouts and Cavatappi |
Well. . .huge congratulations on your new job Thao. I am so happy for you. I have to imagine working in the hospital and helping people will be extremely satisfying. But you definitely will be one busy lady so it is a good thing that you have a variety of tasty and quick meals, such as this divine dish, at your fingertips. It looks so rich and creamy. . .like a dish you spent hours making.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lynn! I am excited and eager to learn new things. I think it is an environment where I feel that I am contributing to something meaningful. These quick and easy meal are going to prove to be very useful, and I love that cleanup is relatively painless as well!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new job! That's SO exciting! Good luck - I know you'll be a rock star!
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of rock star... this dish looks amazing! One pot. Cheese. Chicken. Gnocchi. Seriously, what's not to love?! Total comfort food girl!
Thank you, Kathleen! It's an opportunity to show that I have skills other than wiping noses and changing diapers.:) I agree with you lovely lady—this a bowl/plateful of comfort.
DeleteYea Thao, love quick cooking yummy recipes! Cheryl "Cheffie Cooks" Wiser.
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays!
They are handy to have around. Happy Holidays to you, my friend!!
DeleteGood luck with your new job!!
ReplyDeleteThis one pot recipe looks absolutely amazing and perfect for a weeknight meal.
Thank you for the well wishes, Christin! I agree. This meal is a perfect dinner solution when you have little time.
DeleteCongrats on the new job, Thao!!! I bet you are going to rock that job, I mean you did take care of a bunch of little ones, so I feel like you in a hospital just makes SO much sense! Yay, I am very excited for you! As for this one pot meal, Heck yes!! LOVE gnocchi, so cheesy gnocchi with chicken?! OMG, give me! Plus its made in one pot!! Winner winner cheesy gnocchi dinner! Cheers, friend! <3
ReplyDeleteThanks for your encouragement, Chey! I'm going to give it my best shot! So glad you dig this winner winner gnocchi dinner. It's not gourmet but it sure is yummy!
DeleteCongratulations on your new job and good luck. This dish sounds delicious, my kids would loooove it!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Adina! I'm happy to know that is your kids' kind of dish!
DeleteCongratulations on your new job! It sounds wonderful! This gnocchi looks incredible!One pot meals are my favorite for busy weeknights.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kelly! And I love all of your one-pot meals!!
DeleteCongrats on the new job--very exciting! This dish looks great and like something my picky daughter would even like! Your pictures are lovely!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Inger. I am enjoying all of the responsibilities. I'm so glad that this would be picky daughter approved!
DeleteThis looks like a yummy, quick (but seems/tastes like it took hours) dinner. 1 question, though: how much cracker crumbs? It's mentioned in the directions, but not listed in the ingredients. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks for catching that! I use one sleeve or about 33 crackers. I have updated the ingredients list. :)
DeleteHello Thao,
ReplyDeleteI wish I had found this recipe yesterday before having a terrible take-out. :P
This looks downright indulgent. You make it seem so simple . Pinning this for later use.
Cheers!
Found you on #What'sCookingWednesdays
Oh, that's too bad! I hope you will try it at a later time. It really is simple...you'll see. Thank you so much of stopping by, Shreyashi.
DeleteCongrats on your new job! Yay!
ReplyDeleteThis dinner looks fab - perfect for those busy work nights!
Thank you, Amanda! It feels like the ideal role for me to jump into right now. And thanks, this dinner is great for a tight schedule.
DeletePerfect comfort food! I love the cracker crumb topping---such an enticing dish! And congratulations!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Liz. And cracker crumbs make everything better in my eyes! :)
DeleteYou're back! Yay! I've missed you, girl! Congratulations on your job! I know you are going to be great and I hope you really love it!
ReplyDeleteIt's so sweet of you to welcome me back to wish me well on the new job, Rachelle! I missed being here and spending time with my blogging friends. <3
DeleteWishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and thanks so much for sharing your awesome post with Full Plate Thursday. I sure appreciate you!
ReplyDeleteMiz Helen
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and your family, Miz Helen! Thank you for hosting your parties.
DeleteCongrats on your new job and Happy New Year! Your recipe caught my eye as I was looking back through our #FoodieFriDIY links and it looks so good! I love easy recipes...I just don't have a ton of time to cook anymore with the kids' crazy schedules. The party will be back this Thursday, I hope you will join us again. Sharing your yummy recipe!
ReplyDeleteAnd a Happy New Year to you too! The new job is going well.I am glad to hear that the dish caught your eyes. It is really easy and great for busy schedules. I will definitely be joining your parties! :)
DeleteGood article, your sharing is so nice, love your work!
ReplyDeleteYay! Congrats on your new job!! That's super exciting!! Love one pot meals and this one looks so comforting, especially with the cheese and gnocchi - definitely something nice to come home to after a busy day :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Dawn! I am thankful that I landed the job as quickly as I did. It has been going well. This dish is does a good job of getting a delicious dinner on the table quickly.
Delete