Ground chicken with apple and crispy sage, tossed with ricotta gnocchi and an apple dressing. This Chicken and Apple with Ricotta Gnocchi recipe makes a unique, enticing meal!
Recipe Inspiration
I’m starting of 2021 with a recipe that was inspired by a salad. It seems like the right thing to do for a New Year’s recipe. However, this recipe is not salad-like in the least.
Last fall, several pharmaceutical reps brought Panera into my office for lunch. And several times I had the Fuji Apple Chicken Salad. I think most of us can agree that salad is amazing.
As I was eating the salad, I thought, “I want to recreate this, but as something new and different.”
From there, I started experimenting. After multiple creations, I ended up with Chicken and Apple with Ricotta Gnocchi. Close to a Fuji Apple Salad? Not at all. But really tasty? Yep.
Chicken and Apple with Ricotta Gnocchi
Ricotta Gnocchi
Before starting my experimentation for this recipe, I had never made ricotta gnocchi. I thought doing so might be hard and time consuming, but it really was not!
How to make Ricotta Gnocchi:
- Drain the ricotta: I place paper towels in the bottom of a strainer, put the ricotta on the paper towels, and then gently press out the extra liquid.
- Stir in eggs, then add flour and salt. If it’s too sticky, simply add more flour, 1 tablespoon at a time.
- Roll it out: On a lightly floured working surface, roll the dough into a large rectangle. Then cut the dough into long log-like cylinders that are about 3/4″ in diameter. Next, cut each of the long “logs” into 1″ bites.
- Toss and boil: Toss each of the dough bits in flour and then drop into boiling water. Let them cook until they float, then pull them out to dry off.
Gnocchi Size
The most important thing when making this gnocchi is that each piece is just about the same size, for me, 3/4″ x 1″. If you have some that are bigger than others, they’ll cook differently. Also, if you make them too big, the center will taste a little odd, and have an uneven texture.
Chicken
Ground chicken can get dry when sauteeing. So, mix it with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch dissolved in 1 tablespoon of water. This will help to keep more moisture in the chicken while it’s cooking!
Crispy Sage and Apple
This part is simple. Melt some butter, add sage leaves and cut up apple pieces, then let them brown. The sage leaves will turn dark brown and get crispy, adding a little tasty crunch to the dish!
Pan Sauce
In the same pan, add butter, garlic, flour, salt, pepper, and onion powder. Let it cook for a few minutes until it’s nice and thickened, then toss it with the gnocchi, chicken, sage, and apple!
Dressing
One of the times that I made this recipe, I decided to skip the dressing. The dish was tasty for sure, but my husband and I missed the dressing. It adds an extra hint of apple and flavor that is reminiscent of the Panera Fuji Apple Salad. (**editor’s note: I have no idea about this salad – but the dinner is good**)
Full disclosure, my 3 and 5 year old do not like the dressing. But to be fair, they would live off hotdogs and hamburgers if I would let them.
This Chicken and Apple with Ricotta Gnocchi is unique, delicious meal for any time of the year.
Chicken and Apple with Ricotta Gnocchi
Ingredients
Apple Dressing
- 1 medium sized sweet red apple skin removed, cored, and cut into bite sized pieces
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Ricotta Gnocchi
- 15 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup all purpose flour plus ~1/2 cup for rolling
- 1 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Chicken
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil
Sage and Apple
- 4 tablespoons butter divided
- 10 sage leaves
- 1 medium sized sweet red apple cored and cut into bite sized pieces
- 2 cloves fresh minced garlic
- 1 1/2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
Apple Dressing
- Place all ingredients in a food processor or blender. Pulse until smooth. Place in refrigerator until ready to use.
Ricotta Gnocchi
- Bring water to a boil in a large pot.
- Place paper towels in a strainer or on a working surface. Then, place ricotta on paper towels. Gently press with addition paper towels to absorb liquid.
- In a medium sized bowl, mix together eggs and ricotta cheese. Add flour, parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Stir until well combined. If too sticky to handle, add flour, 1/2 tablespoon at a time, until dough is able to be spread out.
- Sprinkle several tablespoons of flour on a working surface. Spread dough out into a large rectangle about 18 inches by 3 inches.
- Cut dough into long logs that are ~3/4 inches in diameter. Then, cut each log into ~1 inch sized pieces.
- Toss each piece of dough in flour. Add dough, about 5-6 pieces at a time, to water and remove with slotted spoon once pieces start to float to the top. Set on a paper towels.
Chicken
- In a small bowl, whisk together water and cornstarch until smooth. Then mix in chicken, salt, and pepper. Let sit for 15-20 minutes.
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Saute chicken until cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
Sage and Apples
- In same skillet used for chicken, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat.
- Add sage and apple to skillet. Let cook, stirring occasionally, until browned.
- Once browned, remove sage and apple from skillet.
- Add butter, garlic, flour, salt, pepper, and onion powder. Whisk constantly until sauce has thickened, about 2 minutes.
- Remove from heat.
Serving
- In a large bowl, toss together gnocchi, chicken, sage, apple, and pan sauce. Serve with dressing if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclaimer: All nutritional information provided on this website is an estimate only and is not guaranteed.
If you enjoyed this Chicken and Apple with Ricotta Gnocchi, you might also enjoy these other SugarSpicesLife recipes:
Sausage Stuffed Shells
Apple Stuffed Chicken with Sage Sauce
Brown Butter Chicken and Vegetable Orzo
Chicken and Pearl Couscous Salad
Caramel Apple Applesauce
