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One-pan cheesy chicken and leek gnocchi bake

Name: One-pan cheesy chicken and leek gnocchi bake recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 20.00 ml extra virgin olive oil; 4 slices (60g total) pancetta; 2 leeks, cut into 2cm-thick slices; 600g chicken thigh fillets, cut into large chunks; 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced; 2 tsp thyme leaves, plus extra, to sprinkle; 30.00 ml plain flour; 375ml milk; 1 tsp chicken stock powder; 500g packet gnocchi; White pepper, to season; 4 bocconcini, torn; 20g parmesan

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One-pan chicken and leek gnocchi bake — Ben Dearnley

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by Lucy Nunes

Delicious Team

Sep 28, 2026

You can cook this deliciously easy, cheesy pasta bake in the one pan by using a large shallow casserole. But you can also start off in a large frypan and then transfer to a baking dish to bake in the oven.

1 tbs extra virgin olive oil
4 slices (60g total) pancetta
2 leeks, cut into 2cm-thick slices
600g chicken thigh fillets, cut into large chunks
4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
2 tsp thyme leaves, plus extra, to sprinkle
1 1/2 tbs plain flour
1 1/2 cups (375ml) milk
1 tsp chicken stock powder
500g packet gnocchi
White pepper, to season
4 bocconcini, torn
1/4 cup (20g) finely grated parmesan

Method

1.

Preheat oven to 220°C/200°C fan-forced.
2.

Heat the oil in a large shallow casserole over high heat. Cook pancetta for 1-2 minutes, until light golden (it will cook further and crisp up in the oven). Set aside with tongs to drain on paper towel. Reduce heat to medium. Add leek and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3-4 minutes, until leek softens slightly. Using a slotted spoon, set leek aside on a plate. Increase heat to high.
3.

Season chicken with salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper and cook for 5-6 minutes, until browned all over. Set chicken aside with leek. Add garlic and thyme and cook, stirring, occasionally for 1-2 minutes, until starting to soften. Sprinkle with flour and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add milk and stock powder and cook, stirring, until smooth and mixture starts to boil. Add gnocchi and stir to combine. Season with white pepper. Return leek and chicken to pan. Top with cheeses and pancetta and bake for 20 minutes, or until cheese is golden and gnocchi is soft.
4.

Stand for 5-10 minutes, then serve sprinkled with extra thyme.