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32 Quick and Easy Ground Chicken Recipes

Chicken breast, we love you, but sometimes we want to whip up a dinner that’s even easier. Enter ground chicken. Healthier and more affordable than ground beef, it cooks quickly and freezes well (hellooo, leftovers). We usually opt for lean ground chicken, but you can totally mix in some dark meat to add some extra juicy oomph. Read on for 32 non-boring ways to put ground chicken recipes to work.

37 Fancy Dinners You Can Make with a Pound of Ground Turkey


ground chicken recipes slow cooker chicken tikka masala meatballs recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

1. Slow-cooker Chicken Tikka Masala Meatballs

We love meatballs and we love chicken tikka masala.

ground chicken recipes oven baked chicken kofta wraps recipe
Kristen Kilpatrick / The Defined Dish

2. Oven-baked Chicken Kofta Wraps

A healthier option than a carb-y tortilla, and they’re also crisp, cool and refreshing.

ground chicken recipes whole30 chicken meatballs cauliflower rice coconut herb sauce
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

3. Whole30 Chicken Meatballs

Few things are as satisfying as juicy, tender meatballs.

ground chicken recipes spicy stir fried chicken recipe hero
Skinny Taste / One and Done

4. Spicy Stir-fried Chicken And Shredded Brussels Bowls

Brussels sprouts in a stir-fry? Why not?

buffalo chicken meatballs recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

5. Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

These bites are spicy, tangy and perfectly tender. Make a double batch and freeze half. Trust us.

6. Instant Pot Mexican Casserole

Finally, a casserole that’s not a snooze-fest. With veggies, whole grains, protein and dairy, you’ve got all the food groups covered.

7. Extra Cheesy Classic Homemade Lasagna

The secret to this creamy dish is a mix of spicy chicken sausage and ground chicken. Psst, we won’t tell if you shave off time with no-boil noodles.

8. Healthy Chicken Burgers

Don’t forget about that spinach basil pesto and mozzarella. We have Coterie Member Monique Volz to thank for this baby.

9. Thai Lettuce Wraps

Sauté and season the meat, then scoop it into crisp leaves of Boston lettuce. Top it off with simple homemade pickles and a touch of hot chiles. Easy.

10. Tuscan Chicken Meatball Sandwiches

Loaded with Parmesan and garlic with just a hint of sun-dried tomato, these guys are anything but boring. Even the kiddos will love them, we promise.

avocado burgers with chipotle yogurt sauce recipe
Well Plated

11. Avocado Burger With Chipotle Yogurt Sauce

Sure, anyone can put avocado on a burger but putting one inside the patty takes your dish to another level. Easy to make, even easier to devour.

chicken bolognese recipe
What's Gabby Cooking

12. Chicken Bolognese

PureWow Coterie member Gaby Dalkin really ups the ante with dark ground meat (and crispy pancetta, of course).


sesame chicken potstickers recipe
Damn Delicious

13. Sesame Chicken Potstickers

These flavor-packed bites take just as long to whip up as thawing the frozen version but taste so much better. Plus, if you make a bunch, you can freeze them and enjoy all week long.

14. Mini Chicken Chili Cups

Long gone are the days of serving up food in a regular old bowl. Enter these adorable tortilla cups.

15. Light Chicken Enchiladas

Packed with crumbled chicken and then topped with shredded Manchego and a spicy enchilada sauce. Oh yeah, and it only takes 30 minutes to make.

16. Ground Chicken And Spinach Noodle Bake

Delicious layers of noodles, meat sauce, vegetables and cheese. Think of it as a lazy version of lasagna (but still just as fancy).

17. Enchilada Chicken And Quinoa-stuffed Bell Peppers

Peppers aren’t just for tossing in a stir-fry, you know. They’re also the perfect vessel for something delicious like this medley of ground chicken, healthy grains, melted cheese and fresh jalapeño.

18. Chicken Meatball Noodle Soup

Your favorite soup just got a serious upgrade. Tip: Make extra meatballs for the freezer and team them with buttery pasta.

19. Easy Stuffed Pasta Shells

You could almost make this hearty (and truly impressive) pasta dish with your eyes closed. Almost.

Additional reporting by Alexandra Hough


ground chicken recipes butter chicken meatballs
Damn Delicious

20. Butter Chicken Meatballs

A delicious new take on the humble meatball? yes please.

ground chicken recipes sweet potato cheddar barbecue chicken burgers recipe
Ambitious Kitchen

21. Bbq Chicken Burgers

Not only are these burgers mouthwateringly tasty, they’re also pretty darn good for you.

20 minute heirloom tomato basil chicken parmesan bolognese recipe
Half Baked Harvest

22. 20-minute Heirloom Tomato Basil Chicken Parmesan Bolognese

Tip: If you don’t have fresh tomatoes available, sub in two cups of your fave marinara instead.

23. Barbecue Meatloaf

This gluten-free loaf is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s ready in under an hour.

24. Mozzarella-stuffed Chicken Parmesan Meatballs

A fun twist on the classic Italian dish you know and love. Don’t forget to garnish with some basil leaves and grated Parm for maximum effect.

25. Lasagna-stuffed Zucchini Boats

Take your average lasagna and step it up a notch. And by that we mean use Parmesan, mozzarella and ricotta and bake it in our favorite green squash.

ground chicken recipes baked chicken meatballs with broccoli pesto pasta
The Modern Proper

26. Baked Chicken Meatballs With Broccoli Pesto Pasta

Noodles + pesto + tender, savory meatballs = a match made in kid or adult heaven.

ground chicken recipes peanut chicken lettuce wraps
Damn Delicious

27. Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps

A healthier version of your favorite Thai appetizer.

ground chicken recipe chicken parmesan meatloaf
Spend with Pennies

28. Parmesan Chicken Meatloaf 

Meatloaf gets a makeover.

ground chicken recipes chicken and carrot cups
Inspiralized

29. Chicken And Carrot Cups

When in doubt, put everything in a muffin tin and bake it.

ground chicken recipes skillet chicken meatballs
Plays Well with Butter

30. Skillet Chicken Parmesan Meatballs 

The secret to pleasing a crowd of hungry people: cheesy meatballs and lots of crusty bread.

ground chicken recipes chicken burrito bowl
Damn Delicious

31. Chicken Burrito Bowl

Your new fave meal prep recipe.

ground chicken recipes baked meatballs
Well Plated

32. Baked Chicken Meatballs

Easy, tasty and done in 35 minutes.


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Food Editor

From 2017 to 2019 Heath Goldman held the role of Food Editor covering food, booze and some recipe development, too. Tough job, eh?