Delicious ground chicken recipes and ideas, from zesty protein-packed tacos to juicy homemade meatballs.
One of the most versatile and lean protein options on the market is ground chicken, typically made by grinding chicken meat into mince that looks similar to regular mince meat, but tastes lighter and has lower fat content. However, it’s just as easy to incorporate into multiple dishes as other types of ground meat.
Due to its subtle and slightly savory flavor, ground chicken can absorb seasonings and spices exceptionally well, making it a great protein choice for many cuisines.
Whether you’re deciding your next weekend feast or meal-prepping for a post-gym meal, these ground chicken recipes are quick, easy, and delicious. Let’s get cooking!
Chicken Tacos
When you think of tacos, do taco shells packed with rich and savory beef mince come to mind? If so, why not challenge what you expect and replace the beef with some ground chicken instead! You’ll still be able to incorporate just as much flavor and spice into the meat, but with less fat and a milder taste. Plus, if you season it with a variety of sauces, others will be sure to mistake the chicken for another type of red meat.
We love how customizable ground chicken tacos are. Simply add on your favorite toppings, whether that’s a generous helping of sour cream, guacamole, or multiple sprinkles of cheese.
Try This Recipe: This ground chicken tacos recipe contains a special homemade taco seasoning blend to elevate the flavors of the chicken.
Chicken & Potato Soup
Chicken and potato soup is the ultimate winter warmer comfort meal. It’s perfect as a warming appetizer or lazy winter dinner that can be made in batches for the week ahead. And, best of all, it only takes thirty minutes to throw together.
Healthier than soups containing pork or beef, this simple broth can be easily tweaked with added herbs and spices to suit your tastes, whether you like a touch of heat with smoked paprika or a hearty serving of wilted spinach.
Try This Recipe: This ground chicken soup is the ultimate winter comfort meal. Loaded with filling baby potatoes, carrots, and chicken broth, this cozy soup will be an instant hit.
Chicken Pasta
Spaghetti bolognese, move aside. Combining the contrasting flavors of American and Italian cuisine means ground chicken pasta is born — with a mixture of rich seasonings, cream, and marinara to top it all off. Perfect for a simple weeknight dinner (or when you’re starving and looking for something no-fuss), combining ground chicken into a decadent meat sauce to cover your pasta with, could be the next best thing for your palate.
Best of all, it’s made in one skillet, so minimal wash-up is needed. Keep this one on your mealtime roster, it’s sure to be a big hit with the children as well!
Try This Recipe: This chicken pasta can be made in a single skillet and takes just 30 minutes to cook.
White Bean Chicken Chili
A comforting and hearty dish that brings together the warmth of chili spices, the nourishment of tender ground chicken, and the creaminess of white beans, chicken chili with white beans is worth savoring. A generous selection of chili powders and herbs alongside gently caramelized onions, help to infuse the dish with incredible depth.
The slightly creamy and nutty taste only intensifies as the chili is left to simmer, so don’t take it off the stove too soon. It’s the perfect dish to warm you up on cold evenings, offering healthy yet decadent flavors with every spoonful.
Try This Recipe: This chicken chili with white beans freezes well and leaves you feeling good, with the inclusion of plant and meat protein.
Italian Stuffed Peppers
Perfect for outdoor picnics, al fresco dining, or even to help increase vegetable intake for picky eaters, Italian stuffed peppers bring Mediterranean-inspired flavors and combine it with the fragrant kick of bell peppers.
Stuff it with sauteed ground chicken, veggies of your choice, and even cheese or sour cream — there’s no right or wrong toppings when it comes to stuffed peppers. Don’t forget to season your ground chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian spices before loading it into the pepper. There’s nothing worse than biting into a chunk of unseasoned meat!
Try This Recipe: This Italian stuffed peppers recipe is the complete mealtime package, tied together with a Mediterranean flavor explosion.
Chicken Cauliflower Fried Rice
Savory, warming, and incredibly moreish (seriously, it’s hard to stop at just one mouthful), chicken fried rice is a quintessential Asian dish. When the umami flavor of ground chicken, fluffy steamed rice, and an array of tasty veggies come together, something magical happens. Top it off with a generous coating of savory sauce, and you’ll be making this dish over and over again.
Simply prepare your ground chicken by stir-frying it, so it has the chance to meld and incorporate with all the sauces, eggs, and veggies. Each bite offers the perfect blend of chew and bite, making chicken fried rice a dish loved by cooks around the world.
Try This Recipe: This chicken cauliflower fried rice tastes just as good as takeout with layers of green onion, sesame oil, and soy sauce, but can be whipped up in 20 minutes.
Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Craving something light and refreshing for a simple lunch? Try Asian chicken lettuce wraps, a simple yet flavorful dish that showcases the vibrant nature of Asian cuisine. For optimal taste, ground chicken needs to be cooked alongside various aromatics like garlic and ginger, before being wrapped up in a crisp lettuce leaf.
The contrasting taste and texture of the warm meaty center and cool crunch of lettuce is extremely delicious and can be a great way to introduce Asian flavors to picky eaters or young children. Best of all, customize your wraps just how you like. Throw on some crunchy nuts, fried scallions, or fresh cilantro to get your taste buds tingling.
Try This Recipe: These Asian chicken lettuce wraps are gluten and dairy-free, making them the perfect appetizer for a dinner party.
Chicken Burgers
There’s something so nostalgic and comforting about a good burger. Known as an all-American classic dish, chicken burgers are a healthier alternative (but tastes just as good) to regular beef burgers. Plus, it’s the ultimate meal, with equal parts protein, veggies, and carbs.
You’ll want to prepare it the classic way, by mixing the ground chicken with various spices and herbs. However, note that ground chicken has lower fat content than ground beef, so up the juiciness with yogurt, a splash of milk, and extra seasonings.
Try This Recipe: This chicken burger recipe is kid-approved and utilizes breadcrumbs and eggs in the chicken patty for extra binding and moisture.
Sesame Chicken Meatballs
A satisfying twist on traditional meatballs, sesame chicken meatballs are infused with the irresistible flavors of sesame oil and aromatic spices. If you haven’t tried sesame oil before, what are you waiting for? Used in Korean and other Asian cuisines for generations, sesame oil lends a deeply umami and somewhat nutty taste to any dish.
The savory flavor of sesame oil pairs exceptionally well with chicken, especially in a meatball form. In fact, if you want to really lean into the style of Asian cuisine, don’t forget to incorporate other sauces like soy sauce or hoisin sauce into your meatballs — which will result in beautiful caramelization when sauteed.
Try This Recipe: These sesame chicken meatball bowls balances sweet and spicy flavors with a deliciously sticky sesame-infused sauce.
Salsa Verde Enchiladas
Lean into the decadence by making salsa verde enchilada, a popular Mexican dish showcasing the vibrant flavors of tangy salsa verde blended with cheesy tortillas and richly spiced chicken. Salsa verde is not for the faint-hearted! While it’s not as spicy as other Mexican salsas (salsa taquera, we’re looking at you), salsa verde can add a nice kick to all types of Mexican dishes.
When you blend together tangy salsa verde, rich layers of gooey cheese, and perfectly seasoned ground chicken wrapped up in tortillas, you’ll get a dish that will keep you coming back for seconds. And possibly thirds. Served with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, salsa verde enchiladas are a true crowd-pleaser!
Try This Recipe: These salsa verde enchiladas can be whipped up in 45 minutes and is the perfect comfort food for a cold weeknight dinner.
Lao Chicken Salad (Lao Larb Gai)
Originating from Laos, Lao chicken salad is a vibrant and refreshing take on regular chicken salad. With numerous Asian-style ingredients like fish sauce, fresh cilantro, and lime juice, the inclusion of tender ground chicken will blend in seamlessly.
Since the star of the dish really lies in the meat (in this case, the ground chicken), the salad is completely umami and deep in flavor. In fact, the addition of sour notes from the fresh lime juice and fish sauce is often offset by extra fresh herbs to be placed on top. How much you add will be dependent on your savory preferences, of course!
Try This Recipe: This Lao chicken salad can be made in just 15 minutes and is light, fresh, and packed full of goodness.
