Julia Gartland
These ground chicken recipes are just the thing for anyone leaning into lighter meals or eating less red meat. Ground chicken is quick to cook and always satisfying. Plus, just like ground turkey, pork, and beef, it's handy to keep in the freezer and defrosts quickly, turning a dinner conundrum into a win in a short time.
One of the reasons chicken is so popular is that it can be seasoned to suit most palates, and its neutral flavor adapts well to an endless array of spices and cooking methods. So when you cook ground chicken, go ahead and spin the globe—with the many spices and condiments to choose from in the modern pantry, you can take your pick.Â
How to Use Ground ChickenÂ
Ground chicken can be swapped for any recipe that calls for ground turkey; the white meat lends itself well to the bright flavors of Thai and Vietnamese food, and classic American burgers.Â
If you're searching for a dark meat flavor to make something more robust, you may have a hard time finding ground dark meat chicken—it isn't as easy to find as ground white meat chicken. If you can't find dark meat ground chicken, use dark meat ground turkey instead, or grind your chicken: Chop boneless, skinless chicken thighs into 1-inch pieces and then grind them with a meat grinder (such as the attachment of a Kitchen Aid stand mixer), or pulse them in a food processor.
Flavoring Ground Chicken
Ground chicken easily absorbs the flavors you pair it with, making it a great base for a wide variety of dishes. Whether you're aiming for bold, smoky, tangy, or fresh, there's a flavor profile to match. Here are some to consider:
- Mediterranean: Lemon zest, garlic, oregano, feta
- Asian-Inspired: Ginger, garlic, sesame oil, soy sauce
- Mexican: Cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, cilantro, jalapenos, lime juice
- Buffalo-Style: Hot sauce, butter, garlic, blue cheese
- Italian: Basil, garlic, tomato sauce, parmesan
7 Ground Chicken Recipes
Chicken Bolognese With Tagliatelle
This lighter take on rich Bolognese sauce uses ground chicken, preferably a combination of white and dark meat. Ground turkey would make a fine substitute.
Green Chile Chicken Burgers
A chicken burger is a canvas for the flavors you crave. In this case, you can paint a desert scene with New Mexican green chiles and cilantro.
Crispy Baked Chicken Flautas
The minute you bite into these crispy tortillas rolled around a spiced filling you may question why they're ever deep-fried—baked is so much better.Â
Chicken-Parmesan Meatballs
Giant mozzarella-filled meatballs on top of spaghetti? Yes please. These ground chicken meatballs are crisp on the outside and gooey within.Â
Chicken Burgers
These chicken burgers are just as juicy and flavor-packed as their red meat relatives. Using dark meat ground chicken is key to these tasty patties—so is adding yellow bell pepper and celery, which bring moisture and texture.
Prevent ground chicken from drying out by cooking at a lower temperature for a longer time. Cooking over medium heat or higher can draw out moisture and lead to dry, tough meat.
Potsticker Dumplings and Soy Vinegar Sauce
Crisp, browned dumplings are easier to make than you might imagine. Ground chicken or turkey can be used as a filling in place of ground pork in any pot sticker or dumpling.Â
Ground Chicken Tacos
Julia Gartland
Chicken tacos loaded with spices are quick to assemble. Make everyone happy by offering soft and hard shell tortillas and setting all the toppings on the table so they can help themselves.Â
