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Chicken Sausage Gnocchi Hotpot

Transform comfort food with this lighter twist on a classic hotpot. This recipe combines savory chicken sausages with tender leeks and a creamy thyme-infused sauce, creating a dish that’s both wholesome and satisfying.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 People
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 500 g gnocchi
  • 340 g chicken sausages or chipolatas e.g., Heck Chicken Italia
  • 150 g frozen peas
  • 2 leeks cleaned, trimmed, and thickly sliced
  • 450 ml chicken stock prepared from a stock cube or stockpot
  • 60 g finely grated Gruyère Cheddar, or Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp half-fat crème fraîche
  • 2 tbsp fresh thyme finely chopped (or 2 tsp dried thyme)
  • 1 tbsp grain mustard
  • 1 tbsp oil
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 20 g butter
  • 20 g plain flour

Method
 

  1. Prepare the Oven
  2. Preheat the oven to 200°C (fan 180°C, gas mark 6).
  3. Cook the Sausages
  4. Warm the oil in a large frying pan over high heat. Using kitchen scissors, cut the chicken sausages into bite-sized segments (approximately 4–5 pieces per sausage). Brown them in the hot oil for around 5 minutes until they are golden and cooked through. Once done, transfer the sausage pieces into a 23 cm ovenproof baking dish.
  5. Soften the Leeks
  6. In the same pan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Add the sliced leeks, followed by 50 ml of the prepared chicken stock and a small amount of seasoning. Cover the pan with a lid and allow the leeks to cook gently over medium heat for 5–7 minutes, until tender.
  7. Prepare the Sauce
  8. In a separate saucepan, melt the remaining 20 g of butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to form a roux. Gradually whisk in the remaining chicken stock, ensuring a smooth, lump-free mixture. Incorporate the grain mustard, chopped thyme, and crème fraîche. Let the sauce simmer for 2 minutes, then fold in the frozen peas and softened leeks. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  9. Assemble the Dish
  10. Pour the prepared sauce into the baking dish over the browned sausages, ensuring even distribution. Stir gently to combine. Arrange the gnocchi across the surface straight from the package, then top with the grated cheese.
  11. Bake to Perfection
  12. Place the dish on a baking tray and transfer it to the preheated oven. Bake for 25 minutes, or until the gnocchi are crisped and golden on top.
  13. Optional Preparation Tip
  14. This dish can be partially prepared in advance by completing steps up to the end of the leek cooking (Step 5). Store covered in the refrigerator and allow an extra 5–10 minutes baking time if cooking from chilled.