Lemon Chicken Gnocchi (Dump and Bake)

Name: Lemon Chicken Gnocchi
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 1/2 lbs chicken breast (cut into 1-inch cubes); 1 Tablespoon olive oil; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 1 Tablespoon lemon zest; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 2 cloves garlic (grated or minced); ½ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper; 1 Tablespoon cornstarch; 1 lb potato gnocchi; 1 1/4 cups chicken broth; 8 oz whole milk ricotta cheese; ½ cup grated parmesan cheese; 2 Tablespoons lemon juice; 2 cups baby spinach (optional); For serving: fresh basil, red pepper flakes, extra parmesan cheese

By Molly Thompson

on Mar 10, 2026

This dump-and-bake lemon chicken gnocchi is an easy one-dish dinner made with tender chicken breast, pillowy gnocchi, garlic, lemon zest, and creamy ricotta. Everything bakes together in about 30 minutes, creating a bright, cozy lemon sauce perfect for busy weeknights.

Jump to Recipe

creamy lemon chicken gnocchi in a pan with a serving spoon.

If you’re looking for a cozy dinner that still feels fresh and bright, this lemon chicken gnocchi is an easy recipe to keep on repeat. Tender chicken, pillowy potato gnocchi, garlic, and lemon zest bake together in one dish while ricotta melts into the broth to create a light, creamy sauce.

It’s the kind of dinner that feels comforting without being too heavy. And the best part is everything cooks in one pan in under 30 minutes.

Just like chicken alfredo gnocchi bake, it’s a great weeknight meal when you want something homemade but don’t want to stand at the stove stirring a sauce. Just toss everything together, bake it, and finish with parmesan, basil, and a little red pepper flake.

If you love simple dinners like this, you’ll also love this creamy chicken and gnocchi, one pot creamy lemon chicken orzo, or this sheet pan green goddess chicken that keep weeknight cooking simple.

creamy lemon chicken gnocchi in a casserole dish on the counter.

Why This Lemon Chicken Gnocchi Works

Many creamy gnocchi recipes rely on heavy cream and multiple steps. This version keeps things simple and balanced so it actually works on a busy weeknight.

One-pan dinner: Everything bakes together in a single dish, which means very little cleanup.
Creamy without heavy cream: Ricotta melts into the broth while baking to create a creamy sauce that coats the gnocchi.
Bright lemon flavor: Fresh lemon zest and lemon juice adds brightness and keeps the dish from feeling too rich.
Quick and practical: Prep takes about 5 minutes and dinner is ready in under 30 minutes.
Family-friendly comfort food: The flavors are simple enough for kids but still satisfying for adults.

If you enjoy cozy dinners like this, I think you’ll love this creamy Boursin chicken or my one pot chicken bacon ranch pasta for similar easy meals.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe uses simple grocery store ingredients and pantry staples.

Chicken breast: Cubed chicken breast cooks quickly and stays tender while baking.
Potato gnocchi: Shelf-stable or refrigerated potato gnocchi both work well in this recipe. If you’re new to cooking with gnocchi, it’s also delicious in recipes like creamy chicken gnocchi soup or sheet pan tuscan sausage and gnocchi.
Ricotta cheese: Whole milk ricotta melts into the broth and creates the creamy base of the sauce that never splits or separates.
Chicken broth: Adds flavor and helps cook the gnocchi.
Garlic: Fresh grated garlic gives the sauce depth and aroma.
Lemon zest and juice: Brightens the whole dish and balances the richness of the gnocchi.
Italian seasoning: Adds herb flavor without needing multiple fresh herbs.
Cornstarch: Helps the sauce thicken slightly while the dish bakes.

ingredients for lemon chicken gnocchi on a counter.

How to Make Lemon Chicken Gnocchi

This recipe is designed to be as easy as possible. Everything cooks together in one baking dish!

cubed chicken with spices and cornstarch in a casserole dish.

Step 1. Season the chicken: Add the cubed chicken to a large baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil and toss with Italian seasoning, lemon zest, grated garlic, kosher salt, black pepper, and cornstarch until evenly coated.

cubed chicken, gnocchi, and chicken broth in a casserole dish.

Step 2. Add the gnocchi and broth: Add the uncooked gnocchi directly to the baking dish with the broth and toss it together with the chicken.

uncooked lemon chicken gnocchi topped with ricotta in a baking dish.

Step 3. Add ricotta and bake: Dollop scoops of the ricotta across the top.Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake at 400°F for 20 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the gnocchi are tender.

creamy lemon chicken gnocchi in a baking dish with fresh spinach and parmesan on top.

Step 4. Stir and finish with spinach: Remove from the oven and stir everything together so the ricotta melts into the broth and creates a creamy sauce. Stir in parmesan cheese and spinach if using then bake for another 5-7 minutes, until bubbly and golden in spots.

If you love this recipe, you’ll love this easy chicken sausage pasta or one pot garlic parmesan chicken pasta next.

Common Questions

Do you need to cook gnocchi before baking?

Nope. Shelf-stable or refrigerated potato gnocchi cooks directly in the broth while baking. The liquid and steam soften the gnocchi so it becomes tender and pillowy.

Can I use chicken thighs instead?

Yes, but I prefer breasts for this recipe. Just cut them into small pieces so they cook through in the same time.

Can I make it dairy free?

You can substitute the ricotta with a dairy-free ricotta alternative or use dairy-free cream. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious (though I haven’t tested it).

Can I add vegetables?

Yes, this lemon gnocchi would be delicious with asparagus or peas. Spinach is my favorite option to stir in at the end.

Can you freeze lemon chicken gnocchi?

This dish is best eaten fresh, so I don’t recommend freezing becuase the sauce can split when thawing. However, keep leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.