Rustic Gnocchi with Pesto and Grilled Chicken
🥔🍃🧄 Ingredients:
For the Gnocchi (homemade or store-bought):
1 lb potato gnocchi (homemade or packaged)
Salted water for boiling
For the Pesto Sauce:
2 cups fresh basil leaves
1/3 cup pine nuts or walnuts
2 cloves garlic
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1/2 cup olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Juice of half a lemon (optional for brightness)
For the Grilled Chicken:
1 boneless, skinless chicken breast
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt, pepper, garlic powder
Optional: Italian herbs or chili flakes for seasoning
To Finish:
Extra Parmesan for garnish
Fresh basil or parsley for color
🍳 Instructions:
1. Prepare the Chicken:
Rub the chicken breast with olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Grill in a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat for 5–6 minutes per side, until golden with grill marks and cooked through.
Let rest, then slice.
2. Make the Pesto:
In a food processor, blend basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan, and lemon juice.
Slowly stream in olive oil until smooth but textured. Season to taste.
3. Cook the Gnocchi:
Boil salted water. Add gnocchi and cook until they float (2–3 minutes).
Drain and toss immediately with pesto in a warm bowl.
4. Assemble the Dish:
Spoon the pesto-coated gnocchi into a wide, shallow white bowl.
Lay sliced grilled chicken over the top.
Sprinkle generously with freshly grated Parmesan.
Add a few flecks of basil and allow small sauce smudges or scattered cheese for a cozy, authentic look.
Optional: Serve with crusty bread and a small green salad.