Buffalo Ranch Crack Chicken Gnocchi Bake
This creamy, cheesy Buffalo Ranch Crack Chicken Gnocchi Bake combines spicy buffalo sauce, cool ranch, tender chicken, and pillowy gnocchi for the ultimate comfort food casserole. It’s a one-pan, crowd-pleasing dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights or family gatherings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
- 1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 lb potato gnocchi, uncooked (shelf-stable or refrigerated, not frozen)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions (optional, for topping)
- 1/4 cup crumbled cooked bacon (optional, for topping)
- Chopped fresh parsley (optional, for topping)
- Extra buffalo sauce & ranch dressing, for drizzling (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- In a large bowl, combine shredded cooked chicken, softened cream cheese, sour cream, buffalo sauce, ranch seasoning, garlic powder, and black pepper. Stir until smooth and evenly mixed.
- Fold in the uncooked potato gnocchi, ensuring all gnocchi are well coated with the mixture.
- Pour the chicken-gnocchi mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 15-20 minutes, until cheese is melted, golden, and bubbling. For extra browning, broil for 2-3 minutes if desired.
- Let the bake cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Top with green onions, crumbled bacon, parsley, and extra buffalo or ranch drizzle if desired.
Notes
For best results, use room temperature ingredients and freshly grated cheese. Avoid frozen gnocchi, as it can become mushy. To make ahead, assemble and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking. For gluten-free, use gluten-free gnocchi and ranch mix. Add extra veggies like spinach or roasted peppers for a nutritional boost.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/6 of the pan
- Calories: 475
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 1100
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 13
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 27
Keywords: buffalo chicken, crack chicken, gnocchi bake, casserole, comfort food, ranch, cheesy, family dinner, easy recipe, spicy chicken