High-Protein Pesto Chicken Gnocchi

Ingredients

Gnocchi and Chicken

• 1 lb (500g) package of potato gnocchi
• 2 large chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 tbsp olive oil (for searing chicken)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Pesto Cream Sauce

• 1/2 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter sauce)
• 1/2 cup store-bought or homemade basil pesto
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 scoop High Whey Vanilla Cake
• 1/4 cup gnocchi cooking water (reserved)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Optional Garnish

• Cherry tomatoes, halved
• Pine nuts, toasted

Preparation

1. Cook the Gnocchi

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Add the gnocchi and cook according to package directions (usually 2–3 minutes). They are done when they float to the surface.
• Before draining, reserve about 1/2 cup of the starchy cooking water and set aside.
• Drain the gnocchi and toss them with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking.

2. Sear the Chicken

• Pat the chicken cubes dry and season them with salt and pepper.
• Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add the chicken and sear for about 4–6 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165∘F or 74∘C).
• Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

3. Make the High-Protein Pesto Sauce

• Reduce the heat to medium and add the minced garlic to the same skillet. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
• Pour in the heavy cream and let it come to a gentle simmer.
• Stir in the pesto and the grated parmesan cheese. Mix well until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
• The Protein Powder Step: Remove the skillet from the heat. Gradually whisk in the scoop of protein powder until fully dissolved and the sauce is smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, stir in a spoonful of the reserved gnocchi cooking water.

4. Combine and Finish

• Add the cooked gnocchi and the seared chicken back into the skillet with the pesto cream sauce.
• Toss everything gently until the gnocchi and chicken are evenly coated in the sauce. If using, stir in the halved cherry tomatoes now.
• Serve immediately, garnished with toasted pine nuts and an extra sprinkle of parmesan cheese.

This Pesto Chicken Gnocchi is more than just a quick meal—it's a perfect blend of comfort food indulgence and smart nutrition. The creamy, herby sauce flawlessly masks the protein powder, giving you a satisfying, flavor-packed dish that's ready in under 30 minutes. Enjoy the guilt-free goodness!