Chicken Alfredo meets loaded baked potato in this delicious Loaded Chicken Alfredo Gnocchi Bake. Full of flavor and easy to have on your table for dinner tonight.
One of my favorite dishes at Olive Garden is the chicken and gnocchi soup. There is just something about that soup that says comfort food to me.
Now I realize that the pasta dinner staring back at you is nothing like that soup. They just both have gnocchi. End of similarities.
Because I love gnocchi so much, I picked up a few packages at the grocery store. Then they just sat in the cupboard forever. Ok, maybe I’m exaggerating a little there, but I know they were in there quite a while before I decided to use them.
If this is your first time cooking gnocchi, join the club. This dish was actually my first time working with it too. Let me tell you something…it is so easy.
What is gnocchi?
They are small, soft dumplings made from flour and potato. The cooked potatoes are mixed with enough flour to create a dough, then it is shaped into small pieces for boiling.
How do you know when gnocchi is cooked?
Place the gnocchi in a pot of boiling water. The cooked gnocchi will float to the top when they are done. Strain and serve them immediately with sauce.
If you are pan frying the gnocchi, you do not need to boil them first. Fry them in butter until they are golden brown and lightly crisp on the outside. Make sure to flip them as they cook.
The other day we had some extra grilled chicken after making this Strawberry Orange Spinach Salad. We had a bag of frozen broccoli and a jar of Alfredo sauce, so I decided to combine all of those with the package of gnocchi in the pantry.
Adding some bacon and a whole lot of cheese made this Loaded Chicken Alfredo Gnocchi Bake an amazing comfort food dinner!
Seriously! Look at the ooey, gooey cheese! It makes me want to run to my kitchen and make another pan of baked gnocchi with chicken and broccoli.
Now if you are a dinner pro, go for it and make homemade Alfredo sauce. There really is nothing like it. My hubby spoils me every year on my birthday and makes the real stuff. We love it on this Bacon Shrimp Alfredo Pasta! It really is amazing!
But, I am totally a semi-homemade cook/baker, and I love the convenience of packaged foods on busy nights. Someone has to help keep these companies in business, right?
Plus, most times when I use a packaged item I give it enough homemade flair to kick the package right out of it.
Since gnocchi is a potato based pasta, we are going to load it up like a baked potato. Melty cheese goodness and bacon makes this a winner, winner, chicken dinner.
How to make Loaded Chicken Alfredo Gnocchi:
- Cook the gnocchi according to the package directions.
- Stir together the drained gnocchi, broccoli, chicken, bacon, garlic, and Alfredo sauce.
- Spoon the mixture into a greased baking dish.
- Sprinkle the cheese on top and bake until melted.
- Broil for a few minutes to brown the cheese, then serve immediately.
What to serve with this chicken Alfredo gnocchi:
- Side Salad
- Breadsticks
- Dinner Rolls
- Garlic Bread
- Roasted Veggies
Can this casserole be made ahead of time?
Yes, you can put the entire dish together ahead of time. Mix it all together, top with cheese, then cover and place in the refrigerator.
You can cook it whenever you are ready to make dinner, although you may need to add a little bit of time since it will be cold.
CLICK HERE TO PIN THIS RECIPE FOR LATER!
More easy chicken dinners you may like:
- Chicken Supreme Pasta Bake
- Chipotle Chicken Pasta – great Cheesecake Factory Copycat
- Chicken Alfredo Ravioli Lasagna
- Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake
- Cheesy Chicken Pasta
- Monterey Chicken Enchiladas
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Loaded Chicken Alfredo Gnocchi Bake
Chicken Alfredo meets loaded baked potato in this delicious Loaded Chicken Alfredo Gnocchi Bake. Full of flavor and easy to have on your table for dinner tonight.
Ingredients
- 1 package gnocchi
- 2 cups frozen broccoli
- 2 cups shredded/chopped cooked chicken
- 1/2 cup crumbled cooked bacon
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 - 15 ounce jar Alfredo sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese
- green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Spray a casserole dish with non-stick spray.
- Cook the gnocchi according to the package directions. Drain.
- Stir together the cooked gnocchi, broccoli, chicken, bacon, garlic, and Alfredo sauce.
- Spoon into the prepared casserole dish and sprinkle with cheeses. Bake for 20 minutes.
- Broil for 1-2 minutes or until the cheese starts to brown. Make sure you keep an eye on it because it will brown quickly.
- Top with green onions and extra bacon, if desired, and serve immediately.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 455Total Fat: 35gSaturated Fat: 19gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 124mgSodium: 799mgCarbohydrates: 14gFiber: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 23g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
*This Loaded Chicken Alfredo Gnocchi Bake was first published on April 2, 2014. The photos and post were updated and republished on February 10, 2020.
Ashley Murphy says
This recipe! I’ve made it now about 4 or 5 times for my family, and it’s always a hit. My brother, the pickiest eater at 36 said “this is the best thing you’ve ever made”. High praise! Today, I was craving this recipe, but we were fresh out of chicken, so I gambled and subbed in Italian sausage. Let me tell you! It’s sooooooo good! I’m pretty sure this recipe can’t go wrong. Thank you for sharing <3
Juliene says
This sounds so yummy! AND I have most ingredients on hand…bonus! Would love to take this to work for a pot lock. Do you think this could be placed in a crock pot instead of baking as we do not have an oven at work. Maybe just place on simmer-low for a few hours. Appreciate your input!
Jocelyn says
I have never tried it in a crock pot, but I think that would work just fine. Make everything the same, but instead of putting in the baking dish, spoon it into the crockpot. And I think you are right on target with doing it on low for a couple of hours. Keep me posted on how it turns out!!!
Heather says
After a very chaotic day, this recipe was the only thing that went right. I had some gnocchi in the pantry and googled recipes until I came across this one and it is truly delicious! My husband said it was so good it could be served in a restaurant. And I’ve never heard him give such high praise on a recipe, ever! That says a lot. Thanks for sharing!
Jocelyn says
I am so sorry to hear your day was rough. Thank you so much for the kind words about the recipe. Your sweet comment made my night! I hope tomorrow is a better day!
Crystal says
What size of casserole dish?
Jocelyn says
I used a 3 quart casserole dish when I baked this. I hope you enjoy it!
EvaD says
I made this tonight with leftover grilled chicken and it was OMG delicious. I didn’t even have to put the broiler on. It browned up in the 20 minutes. I used shredded Italian blend cheese.
Jocelyn says
I am so glad you liked the recipe! It’s one of my favorites too!!
Erica says
How did you cook the chicken and did you season it?
Jocelyn says
I just buy a rotisserie chicken from Sam’s club and use that in things like this.
Calvin says
Hi,
I want you to know that although I’m not the best cook in the world, I was able to make this and it came out really good. Thanks for the recipe.
Heather says
HOLY SMOKES!! This was so good!!! I used rotisserie chicken and refrigerated Alfredo sauce and fresh broccoli. We were all swooning!! This has gone into the rotation…and that is not an easy feat!! One thing though, the package directions for the gnocchi says to salt the water. We all thought the dish was pretty salty (I did use 1c of Mozzarella and 1/2c Italian Blend cheese and I know Parmesan is a salty cheese, I’m sure this probably didn’t help) so I think next time I would skip salting the water. I also used thick peppered bacon (4 slices). OH MY! Thanks for gifting my household with this deliciousness. I’m also pretty convinced it will freeze well enough that I could make two batches at a time and freeze one. I did the calorie work up on this and 1/6 of a serving was about 400 cals.
Jocelyn says
Woo hoo! I am so excited your family enjoyed this so much!!! And yay for the dinner going into the rotation! I didn’t salt the water when I made it, so definitely try it without that extra salt for sure. Let me know how freezing it goes because I have never tried that!
Stephanie says
Is this something you could assemble and keep in the fridge for a few hours before baking? Do you think there would need to be any temp/time changes?
Jocelyn says
I think you could definitely make it up ahead of time. I would just pull it out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before baking if you are using a glass dish. If you are baking in a metal dish, you could bake it right from the fridge, but you will have to add extra time because it is starting out cold. I hope that helps!
Stefanie Gina says
Does the broccoli have to be frozen? Also I only have a large, but shallow baking dish. Will that do well?
Jocelyn says
You could also steam fresh broccoli and add that to the mixture before baking. A large baking dish should be fine as long as the mixture fits.
Rhonda says
I can not eat broccoli. Any suggestions what I can use as a supplement? I was thinking kale? Peas? Or just onions and mushrooms maybe?
Jocelyn says
You could totally add your favorite vegetable in place of the broccoli. I hope you enjoy it!
Stephanie says
I have no idea what Gnocchi is honestly. Do you think I could use pasta as a replacement?
Jocelyn says
Gnocchi is a potato pasta puff. You can buy it in the pasta aisle of most grocery stores. But yes, you could sub pasta too, if you like.
Catherine says
Dear Jocelyn, this looks comforting and delicious. What a wonderful meal. xo, Catherine
Michael Picardi says
Frozen gnocchi, jarred Alfredo, already cooked chicken… In what way is this cooking?
Also, you can’t call yourself a baker if you use anything packaged. It may as well be in the Ten Commandments…
Jocelyn says
Hi, Michael. I am so sorry you feel this way! But semi-homemade cooking and baking is totally a legit way to do food. If you are all about making everything from scratch more power to you, but I am a busy mother of 3 who has her own business and is busy with life and church activities, so I love making my food the semi-homemade way! Plus, based on all the comments on this recipe and emails I have received from readers who have loved this recipe, I’m going to say it was a hit 🙂 And last I checked, God didn’t mention anything about baking in the 10 Commandments…
Island Girl 🌴 says
Excuse you?! Newsflash, Michael! Just because you have ingredients at home does NOT mean you can cook. I know plenty of grownups who can’t cook to save their lives. If it where that easy, everyone would know how to cook. Not everyone has the luxury of making everything from scratch all the time and sometimes, a semi-homemade recipe is exactly what we need. Please get off your high horse, Sir.
Heather says
I got to say, this is the best recipe I have ever tried! Super easy, takes little too no time. I love it! I make this meal for any occasion and I sear, i always have to make more batches after its all gone because it is sooo darn good.
Marlyn says
I had this recipe for a while now and finally decided to make it tonight. It was amazing! There wasn’t even any left overs. The only change I made was to use roasted garlic alfredo sauce. I will definitely be making this again! Very easy and delicious.
Alysha says
I made this tonight for dinner! It’s amazing! But I added 2 cups cheese instead of 1.5 & mixed in about 1/3 of the cheese with the ingredients and then topped it off with the rest. I also instead of plain alfredo sauce, used alfredo sauce with bacon!!! Gave it more flavor and more bacon!!! Can’t go wrong with more bacon!!
Vanessa says
I couldn’t find gnocchi at Wal-Mart so I used regular dumplings…still turned out good. 🙂
cathy says
You can also buy gnocchi at Dollar Tree-for a dollar/pkg.
Rose says
This looks and sounds so amazing! However, my husband and I are having a hard time finding gnocchi since we’ve never heard of it before. Any suggestions?
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Did you look in the pasta aisle? It is usually sold in the same aisle as all the varieties of pasta…I usually see it on the top shelf of most grocery stores, Walmart, and Target. If you can’t find it, any pasta can be substituted for it.
Dan says
I made homemade gnocchi recently – this recipe makes me want to make it again, wow.
Trish says
This was delicious! Have you ever froze this? I would like to make 2 – bake one and freeze one and wondered if you had ever tried freezing this. Thanks for a great recipe!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Hi, Trish. I am so glad you enjoyed the dinner. I have actually never tried to freeze this one. Most Alfredo sauces can not be frozen because they separate when they thaw out, so I really do not think it would work very well. You could probably make everything else and freeze it, then after you thaw it add the jar of sauce before baking.
dynnamae says
I made this for company over the weekend. It was absolutely the best. Everyone loved it and I can hardly wait to make it for a church potluck meal. Thanks for a yummy recipe.
Chels+R. says
Just wanted to tell you that we made it this week and it was a hit! So easy and so good!
Kim says
This is in the oven right now. I forgot the bacon when I was at the store and added mushrooms. Can’t wait to taste it!
Christine says
Holy crap, this recipe was amazeballs!! Made it with homemade alfredo sauce like you suggested, and it was so delish!! Thank you so much for this recipe 🙂
K says
This was a hit with the family. I shared it on my blog too! http://mypinnedlife.blogspot.com/2014/06/chicken-bacon-alfredo-gnocchi.html
Stephanie says
Can this made ahead and frozen?
Jocelyn Brubaker says
I don’t see why not. You could put the entire casserole together without the sauce in a freezer/oven safe pan and then wrap it well before freezing. I would recommend it thawing it overnight in your refrigerator for at least 24 hours before baking, then stirring in the alfredo sauce. Keep me posted on how it works and how you like it 🙂
Michele says
We love gnocchi in our house too! Our go to comfort food dinner consists of eckrich sausage (skinless kind) cut into 1/2 inch rounds & browned in a heavy skillet, they almost carmelize. Then cook the gnocchi like you said til they float, then mix the gnocchi, browned sausage together & instead of alfredo Ragu has a creamy mozzarella jarred sauce that is so yummy! I serve this with a vegetable. I cannot wait to try your recipe either! Gnocchi rocks!
courtney says
Sent my husband to the store and he only got one box of gnocchi. It’s that going to be enough? I don’t live anywhere near a store to go back! Please say yes!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
I just checked and the package I used was 17.6 ounces. What size box did he buy? If it is close, it should be good. I hope you enjoy it!
courtney says
Yep! That’s what he got. Thank you! Off to the kitchen now to make this!
Mary says
Do you throw the brocolli in frozen or do you thaw it first?
Jocelyn Brubaker says
You can just leave it frozen and stir it into the mixture. I hope you like it!
Casey says
This looks great! What brand of Alfredo sauce did you use?
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thank you 🙂 I usually grab the Ragu alfredo sauce, but really any of them will work.
Toya says
I used some leftover packets of shredded Italian blend cheese & grated Parmesan & added a chopped yellow onion & a few garlic cloves. Soooo delicious. This is definitely a repeater!!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Woo hoo! That sounds awesome! I’m so glad you liked it!
Shelby says
I really liked this! I’m an alfredo and gnocchi lover, but my husband is not. He was NOT excited when I told him what I was making for supper. But let me tell you, he finished his plate and said that it was good! yay! 🙂 After I had dumped everything together I realized I was supposed to save the cheese for the top. Ooops! Even with it mixed in and not just on top it was great. Thanks for the awesome recipe.
Dawn says
Made this for dinner this evening. Can I just say YUM!? My husband even liked it and he does not like Alfredo sauce. It’s definitely a keeper. Thanks for sharing this great dish.
Renee - Kudos Kitchen says
WOW! Look at all that cheesy goodness! Stumbled and pinned 🙂
Jamie @ Love Bakes Good Cakes says
I’m on a bit of a gnocchi kick right now …. LOVE this, Jocelyn!! Pinned it!
Robin @ Bird On A Cake says
I made this tonight and everyone loved it! My first time cooking with gnocchi, too. Thanks for the yummy recipe, Jocelyn! 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker says
That’s awesome! I’m glad you all loved it! 🙂
Carla says
Whoa this sounds incredibly good right now! I may need to add this to my menu planning soon.
Christine @ idigpinterest.com says
This looks SO good! I’ve shared on FB and can’t wait to make!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thank you so much Christine!! 🙂
shawn @ IWYD says
Your savory meals are always looking so crazy good! This one is no different! LOVE IT! PINNED!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thanks Shawn! 🙂
Jess @ On Sugar Mountain says
Baking is definitely super fun, but how can you ever say no to gnocchi?! YOU JUST CAN’T ! Especially when it’s smothered in alfredo and baked to perfection. Mmmmmmm I wholeheartedly dig this dish, Jocelyn! 😀
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
I’ve never thought of using gnocchi in a bake! This sounds amazing! Love that gooey cheese!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thanks Jessica! 🙂
Elizabeth @ SugarHero.com says
I am gnocci’s #1 fan! Cooks in like 2 minutes and is so simple. I love what you’ve done with it! I’m never that excited to make dinner, either, but I am soooo excited about that gooey cheese picture. 🙂
Julie @ This Gal Cooks says
I just can’t get over how darn good this gnocchi bake looks, Jocelyn! Goodness it looks good!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thanks Julie! 🙂
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I love how easy and fabulous this recipe is Jocelyn! Pinned!
Beth @ bethcakes says
I am seriously rethinking my dinner plans right now. This looks soo good! I’m loving all that cheese and Alfredo sauce! Yum. 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thanks Beth! 🙂
Mary Frances says
Loaded alfredo. Whoa, I don’t think it gets better!
Karly says
Get in mah face.
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Haha, this was my favorite comment for this post. Exactly how I felt about it too! 🙂
Maggie Unzueta @ Mama Maggie's Kitchen says
That oooeey gooooey cheesy picture… DROOL!
Samantha @ Five Heart Home says
It’s breakfast time here, Jocelyn, and I want THIS! It’s widely recognized that you know your sweets, but you also sure know how to do comfort food… 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Haha, thanks sweet girl!! 😉
aimee@shugarysweets says
This looks delicious!! PURE comfort food, and that cheese….oh my!
Lisa @ Garnish with Lemon says
Cheesy gnocchi is fabulous comfort food! And so easy too-love it!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thanks Lisa! 🙂
Chloe @ foodlikecake says
Looks SO good! I love food with lots of stuff piled on it… 🙂
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting says
Chicken and broccoli Alfredo is one of my favorites! Add bacon and I am totally sold. I love the idea of using gnocchi instead of pasta too!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thanks Julianne! 🙂
Lyuba@willcookforsmiles says
Mmmm, sitting here and drooling!! This dish sounds scrumptious, Jocelyn!
Ilona @ Ilona's Passion says
Gnocchi with Alfredo sauce, it has to be delicious.
Jocelyn Brubaker says
It absolutely is! 😉 I’m drooling a little just thinking about it, ha!
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet says
I would be interested to see how homemade gnocchi would hold up in the baking process. They are so light and delicate, the ones we make at home literally melt in your mouth. Since I am a gnocchi girl I may actually have to buy some just so I can make this awesome look dish!
Chels R. says
Yay for you and dinner! I love this! Keep at it girl, these look great.
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thanks Chels! 😉
Wendy says
That photo of the forkful overflowing with melted cheese…..that is an OMG photo and would most definitely be an OMG mouthful!! This is real comfort food, Jocelyn!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thanks Wendy!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
Holy cow I wan this for dinner well for breakfast right now!!
Marcie says
I love gnocchi! You can’t beat soft puffy pillows of potato, can you? This dish is loaded with so many delicious ingredients and looks like a mighty fine dinner! 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker says
No, you can’t! 😉 Thanks Marcie!