From tacos to burgers, ground chicken is one of those incredibly versatile ingredients that cooks love. And I’m not just talking quick and easy comfort food. Ground chicken also can be the centerpiece of a dinner party or a potluck party with recipes like sriracha chicken lettuce cups or grilled chicken kofta. Juicy, inexpensive, and the basis for a whole host of tempting treats and delicious dinners, ground chicken is your next go-to pantry staple!
1. Chicken Lettuce Wraps
These healthy wraps are based on the legendary PF Chang’s version, and this is perfect copycat cooking. Ground chicken is sauteed with soy and hoisin sauce for this tangy Asian favorite. It’s low on carbs (but big on taste) and ready in just 20 minutes.
2. Chicken Burgers
Beefburgers may be America’s beloved BBQ food, but not everyone’s a fan of red meat. Poultry-lovers don’t have to give up juicy, satisfying burgers however with this healthy recipe. Moist and flavorful, the secret to these ground chicken burgers is fresh herbs and a dollop of mayo so they stay deliciously juicy. Whatever you do, don’t overcook ‘em. Just under 10 minutes on the grill is all you need for a crave-worthy dinner.
3. Baked Chicken Meatballs
Italy gave us beautiful art, astounding architecture, and some of the tastiest cuisine in the world. Take a trip to Europe right from your own kitchen with these satisfying baked chicken meatballs. All the traditional tastes of Italy are here – oregano, garlic, fresh parsley. Bake, glaze with rich tomato paste, and top with heaps of parmesan. And I mean heaps.
4. Italian Wedding Soup
Another classic Italian recipe is wedding soup. Traditionally served not just for weddings, but pretty much any festive occasion where you need hearty fare for a hungry crowd. Healthy veg, fresh herbs, and tender pasta are simmered in a rich broth with juicy chicken meatballs. It’s the type of food you can fall in love to… which I guess explains the name.
5. BBQ Chicken Sloppy Joes
Sloppy joes are the ultimate kid food, and you’ll score serious parenting points with this tasty and healthy version. Thanks to a generous helping of BBQ sauce, these joes are sloppy (in a good way!), tangy, and slightly sweet. And don’t worry – there’s veg in there! A chopped bell pepper adds to the flavor and makes sure your small eaters are still getting their greens.
6. Chicken Parmesan Meatball Skillet
There’s so much going on in this recipe your taste buds won’t know what’s going on… but they’ll like it. Everything you love about classic chicken parm is here – the rich tomato sauce, succulent chicken, and gooey cheese topping – but combined into a one-dish casserole. Serve with pasta or a fresh green salad for dinner. Or just enjoy it with warm, crusty bread and use the leftovers to mop up the sauce.
7. Chicken Meatloaf
This is not your grandmother’s meatloaf. This is a light but satisfying comfort food that’s anything but bland (sorry grandma). Ground chicken is generously seasoned with garlic, parmesan, and parsley before being shaped into a loaf and brushed with a tangy glaze. Bake, eat, and enjoy – because dinner shouldn’t feel like work.
8. Chicken Cottage Pie
Fun fact – cottage pie is traditionally made with beef while its equally popular cousin, shepherd’s pie, is made with lamb. As far as I know there’s no word for cottage pie with chicken so this innovative recipe is a pie first. But with fresh veg, garlic, herbs, and seasoned chicken it’s sure to catch on big time. There’s a new twist on the topping too. Instead of a bland mash, this recipe blends together sweet potato, cauliflower, and potatoes for a more nutritious and delicious option.
9. Ground Chicken Casserole
Confession time. I’m a lazy cook. If something takes more than two pots and an hour, it’s probably not on my radar. And that’s why I love dishes like this casserole. It’s a hearty one-pot meal that’s perfect for mid-week dinners when you’re short on time but still want something tasty. Also, any recipe that uses cheese as a binding agent gets my vote. Yep, this chicken and veg casserole is held together with cream cheese and yum. It’s also low-carb thanks to the addition of cauliflower rice instead of the classic grain.
10. Chicken Stroganoff
This creamy, rich stroganoff is inspired by the author’s grandmother. And it’s the perfect family feast. Homemade and healthy, this recipe is lighter than the standard stroganoff. Greek yogurt subs in for sour cream, giving it a tangy taste without getting too heavy. Mushrooms, chicken, broth, tender egg noodles, and smoked paprika round out the dish for an easy one-pot rib-sticker.
11. Chicken Avocado Burger
If, like me, you think avocado is the MVP of accompaniments, you’ll love this chicken burger. Because this isn’t just avocado sliced onto a juicy chicken patty and served in a bun (although, frankly, that sounds awesome, too). This is a burger that actually contains avocado. Yep, you’ll get double the deliciousness here with diced avocado mixed into the patty and also served on top. The result is a flavorful burger with a succulent texture and creamy taste. The subtle creaminess of the avocado means you can ramp up the spice. Serve with homemade chipotle pepper and yogurt sauce for the full eating experience.
12. Chicken Parmesan Pasta
Chicken parmesan pasta is a 15-minute meal that’ll delight both busy cooks and fussy eaters. Rich and comforting, it’s a bowlful of gastronomic goodness that makes good use of the standard chicken parm ingredients. Simply mix together marinara sauce, al dente pasta, and seasoned ground chicken. Pour it all into a casserole dish, liberally sprinkle with cheese, and bake until bubbling and gooey. Still missing the crunchy bite of chicken parmesan? No worries. Just throw on some breadcrumbs before baking, and you’ll have a crispy, golden, brown topping in minutes.
13. Chicken Empanadas
Empanadas are stuffed pastries, popular in Spain and Latin America. They’re a delicious savory street snack, made with a blend of spices and either meat or shrimp. Here, pie dough is rolled into small discs and stuffed with chili, cumin, hot sauce, garlic, cheese, and ground chicken for flaky pies that ooze flavor.
14. Chicken Burrito Bowls
Burrito bowls are an incredibly versatile mid-week meal where anything goes. Rice, veggies, and meat are tossed with spices and served up in a bowl for uncomplicated comfort food. This recipe showcases the vibrant flavors of Mexico with spicy chicken, fresh cilantro, sweet corn, and nutritious brown rice. Drizzle with chipotle cream sauce and dig in!
15. Black Bean Chicken Burritos
More from Mexico with these hearty black bean chicken burritos that are easy, nutritious, and versatile. Peppers, tomatoes, and ground chicken are flavored with cumin, garlic and other piquant spices before being stuffed into soft tortillas for a sandwich-like snack. If you’re the kind of super-organized cook that puts lazy chefs like me to shame, make extra. The filling for these burritos freezes well, so if you have some tortillas in the pantry, you’ll always have a quick, easy meal that practically makes itself.
16. Asian Ground Chicken Noodles
Feel like you’re constantly choosing between tasty takeout and healthy home cooking? Ditch the dilemma with this tasty noodle recipe that combines the best of both. Using simple ingredients, a quick sauce, and whatever veggies you have on hand, this tastes like restaurant Chinese food, but can be served up in moments from the comfort of your own kitchen.
17. Chicken Egg Rolls
I always thought egg rolls were one of those things best left to the experts. But this recipe has opened my eyes to the delicious world of homemade, crispy, crunchy, egg rolls. Simply saute ground chicken with shredded cabbage, carrot, and onion. Add Chinese five-spice, salt, sugar, and sesame oil. Roll the filling into egg wrappers and drop into a fryer or deep pan for sizzling perfection. Forget limp, greasy, egg rolls. These golden brown, crunchy, and fragrant rolls are the real deal.
18. Chicken Chili with White Beans
There’s nothing like a big bowl of steaming chili for cold nights, busy potlucks, or fun-filled game days. If you want to skip the meat, you can’t do better than this tempting chicken version. Made from scratch with chopped tomatoes, white beans, red pepper, and a heady mix of spices, this is a healthier twist on traditional chili.
19. Chicken Feta Burger
It’s time to stop putting cheddar on your burger. There’s a whole world of cheeses out there, why limit your culinary horizons?! In this delightfully delicious recipe, ground chicken is blended with flavorful feta, roasted garlic, and fresh spinach for a uniquely healthy and juicy burger. If you’re low-carb or gluten-free, skip the bun and serve with a Greek salad. If not, load it up with tzatziki sauce and cram into your face. Boring burgers are now a thing of the past. You’re welcome.
20. Sticky Ginger Sesame Chicken Meatballs
Chicken meatballs flavored with ginger and sesame are drizzled with a sticky soy pomegranate sauce in this Asian-inspired takeout-style meal. It’s all the good words – sticky, spicy, sweet – and just the ticket if you’ve fallen into a mid-week meal rut (it happens). And it doesn’t have to be a weeknight favorite. Sprinkled with sesame seeds and served over steamed jasmine rice, this is fancy enough for company.
21. Taco Burger
Who knew that you could create an amazing burger with just ground chicken and taco seasoning?! With only seven ingredients (including a homemade taco spice blend) it’s easy to pull together, cooks in minutes, and can be customized for low-carb or gluten-free diets. Served up with a generous spoonful of sriracha mayo, this burger will leave your taste buds tingling and your belly demanding more.
22. Ground Chicken Tacos
Tacos are a great meal for veg-adverse kids. You can sneak in all kinds of healthy stuff and they’ll be too busy enjoying the spicy meat, melty cheese, and crunchy tacos to care. This version’s even healthier, replacing beef with seasoned, lean chicken and served with all your favorite sides – salsa, guacamole, and shredded lettuce.
23. Spinach Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
If you’re ever asked to bring an appetizer to an event, make this recipe. Not only will it win you some friends and good culinary karma, it’s also very easy to throw together and make in big batches. Juicy chicken meatballs are baked in a creamy tomato sauce laden with chopped spinach. Topped with melted, gooey cheese, it’s heaven in a skillet. In fact, you might want to have a plan B on hand… just in case you eat it before it gets to the potluck.
24. Stuffed Butternut Squash with Chicken and Rice
A nutritious showstopper, this dish not only looks the part, it also tastes amazing. Butternut squash is roasted until golden, stuffed with ground chicken and fluffy rice, and topped with parmesan. The secret ingredient? Montreal steak seasoning. Trust me, it works.
25. Grilled Chicken Kofta
Kofta is a Mediterranean-style kebab found on menus all over Greece. In this recipe, the kofta patties are made with ground chicken, parsley, mint and Aleppo-style pepper. This gives the kebabs a very mild, sweet, and spicy kick. A few minutes on the BBQ, grill, or griddle and you’ve a tasty snack that works for lunch or dinner. For a truly Mediterranean-style platter, serve with hummus, Greek salad, and pita bread.
26. Buffalo Chicken Burgers with Blue Cheese Sauce
Buffalo chicken and blue cheese sauce is one of the great culinary pairings known to humanity. Just when you think it can’t get any better, this enterprising recipe combines both in burger form. And this is one burger that’s big on taste, but low on guilt. Keto, low-carb, and gluten-free, it ticks all the healthy diet boxes.
27. Firecracker Chicken Meatballs
Any recipe with ‘firecracker’ in the title has got to be good, and these fiery meatballs don’t disappoint. Ground chicken is mixed with garlic and paprika to create succulent meatballs and then coated in a zesty firecracker sauce. Intense without being overpowering, this dish delivers just the right amount of spicy, sweet heat.
28. Italian Stuffed Peppers
Stuffed peppers make great appetisers, sides or light lunches. They’re also extremely healthy thanks to the high vitamin C and antioxidant content of bell peppers. And let’s not forget the presentation. Vibrant red peppers stuffed with herbed chicken, topped with cheese and baked until golden brown make for a colorful plate… and a happy belly.
29. Sriracha Chicken Lettuce Cups
If you’ve ever wanted to make your own sriracha hot sauce, this is the recipe for you. And when you’ve made that sauce, there’s no better way to enjoy it than poured over Asian-style sauteed chicken and crunchy celery in a light lettuce wrap.
30. Mexican Chicken Picadillo
Picadillo is a sweet and sour blend of meat, raisins and olives. It’s adapted here to create a spicy, tangy dish loaded with healthy veggies, lean chicken, and mouth-watering seasonings. Flavored with cinnamon, cumin, spicy chilis, raisins, and salty olives, Picadillo is a hot mess of tastes – and I mean that in the best possible way. Click on a star to rate it!
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