Hey food lovers! If you’re in the mood for something that’s full of flavor, quick to make, and super easy to clean up, this Airfryer Pollo Pesto Gnocchi recipe is your new best friend. It combines the rich, savory taste of pesto with juicy chicken and crispy gnocchi, all cooked to perfection in the air fryer. Plus, it’s a breeze to whip up, leaving you more time to relax and enjoy your meal! Let’s dive right into this mouthwatering recipe.

Method

1. Cook the Chicken

If you’re using raw chicken, start by seasoning it with salt, pepper, and mixed herbs to enhance the flavor. Once seasoned, wrap the chicken pieces in aluminum foil to keep the moisture in. Place the wrapped chicken into the air fryer, setting the temperature to 180°C. Cook for about 18 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even cooking. Once the chicken is thoroughly cooked, take it out and let it rest. Resting the chicken allows the juices to redistribute, keeping it tender and juicy.

2. Crisp the Gnocchi

Next, focus on the gnocchi. Place the raw gnocchi in the air fryer basket, ensuring they have enough space for air to circulate around them. Spray them lightly with olive oil to help achieve that crispy, golden texture. Set the air fryer to 180°C and cook for about 10-12 minutes. Make sure to check occasionally, as air fryers can vary in heat, and you want the gnocchi to be perfectly crispy without being overcooked. Once they’re golden and crispy, remove the gnocchi from the air fryer and set them aside for the next step.

3. Make the Sauce

While the gnocchi is crisping, you can prepare the creamy pesto sauce. In a mixing bowl, combine the skimmed milk, light cream cheese, pesto, and parmesan cheese. Use a fork to whisk everything together until the sauce is smooth and creamy, ensuring there are no lumps. This sauce will bring the dish together, adding a rich, creamy texture that pairs perfectly with the crispy gnocchi and tender chicken.

4. Combine Everything

Now it’s time to bring all the components together. Once the gnocchi is crispy, add the chopped red onion, halved cherry tomatoes, and your cooked chicken (cut into pieces if needed) into the air fryer basket. Pour the freshly made pesto sauce over everything, making sure to coat all the ingredients evenly. This is where all the magic happens the sauce will soak into the gnocchi, vegetables, and chicken, creating a mouthwatering, flavorful base for the dish.

5. Top It Off

To finish off this dish, sprinkle the pine nuts and cheese (your choice of mozzarella or cheddar) evenly over the top of the gnocchi mixture. Return the basket to the air fryer and cook for another 5 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt and become bubbly. The pine nuts will add a delightful crunch and a burst of flavor. Once the cheese is melted and everything is bubbly, it’s ready to serve!

Necessary Tools

Air fryer
Aluminum foil
Fork for mixing
Chopping board
Knife
Mixing bowl

Airfryer Pollo Pesto Gnocchi Recipe A Simple, Delicious Meal

Recipe by Jenner TomaskaCuisine: ItalianDifficulty: Easy

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

Total time

minutes

Ingredients

330g (raw) diced chicken breast or 265g cooked chicken pieces
Salt, pepper, and mixed herbs (to season)
500g gnocchi
Olive oil spray (about 20 sprays – roughly 1 tsp)
7 cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 a red onion, chopped
10g pine nuts
40g cheese (your choice – I prefer mozzarella or cheddar)
For the sauce
70ml skimmed milk
90g lightest cream cheese
20g reduced-fat pesto
20g parmesan

Directions

Cook the Chicken If you’re using raw chicken, season it with salt, pepper, and mixed herbs. Then, wrap the chicken in foil and air fry at 180°C for 18 minutes. Once it’s cooked, set it aside and let it rest.
Crisp the Gnocchi Place the gnocchi in the air fryer basket, spray with olive oil, and cook at 180°C for around 10-12 minutes. Check occasionally until the gnocchi turns crispy and golden.
Make the Sauce While the gnocchi is cooking, mix together the skimmed milk, cream cheese, pesto, and parmesan in a bowl. Stir with a fork until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Combine Everything Once the gnocchi is crispy, add the chopped onion, halved tomatoes, and cooked chicken into the air fryer basket. Pour the creamy pesto sauce over the top.
Top It Off Sprinkle the pine nuts and cheese over the dish, then pop everything back in the air fryer for another 5 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Notes

Keep an eye on the gnocchi Air fryers can cook things quickly, so be sure to check the gnocchi as it fries to avoid overcooking.
Don’t overcrowd the air fryer Make sure the gnocchi and chicken have enough space to cook evenly. If necessary, cook them in batches.
Allow chicken to rest After air frying the chicken, let it rest before cutting to keep it juicy.

Serving Suggestions

Serve as a main dish This recipe is perfect on its own as a hearty main course.
Pair with a salad A fresh side salad with a zesty vinaigrette balances out the rich flavors of this dish.
Add a side of garlic bread For a little extra crunch, serve with a slice of crispy garlic bread.

Fun Fact

Did you know that gnocchi, though often associated with Italy, is made from a variety of ingredients including potatoes, flour, and eggs? In fact, the word “gnocchi” is derived from the Italian word for “lumps” because of its small, rounded shape!

Conclusion

This Airfryer Pollo Pesto Gnocchi recipe is an absolute winner when it comes to a quick, satisfying, and flavorful meal. With minimal prep and easy clean-up, it’s a perfect weeknight dinner that everyone will love. Whether you’re cooking for one or three, this dish delivers every time. Enjoy the crispy gnocchi, juicy chicken, and creamy pesto sauce in every bite! Happy cooking, and I hope you enjoy this delicious dish as much as I do!