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Delicious and Healthy Recipes Using Ground Chicken

Danielle Lima Posted on Updated on
Look no further than this list for healthy ground chicken recipes for all your weeknight needs. From chicken gnocchi soup to homemade chicken meatballs, we have it all. Each delicious recipe is filled with flavor, is high in protein and is sure to please even the pickiest of eaters.
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Spoon in a bowl of Chicken Gnocchi Soup.

Say goodbye to stressful and boring weeknight meals! These ground chicken recipes have everything you need for a flavorful, healthy and easy dinner.

From classics, like ground chicken sloppy joes and chicken spaghetti to more fancy fare like, peanut chicken lettuce wraps and Mediterranean chicken meatballs, these ground chicken recipes pack in the protein, can be made quickly and are easy to follow.

Each recipe can be made using any variation of ground meat but using chicken keeps things light and easy on the macros. Not worried about that? By all means, make these with ground sausage, beef, ground turkey or pork but we’re all about the ground chicken with this list.

Why we love ground chicken so much!

  • If you’re tracking your macros, it is high protein and low fat.
  • Can truly be used in so many different recipes and is so versatile!
  • Easy to meal prep because it reheats awesome.

How do I know how much protein I should consume?

  • Typically it is recommended to consume 0.8-1% of your body weight in grams of protein.
    • For example: If I weigh 150 pounds, I should consume 120-150 grams of protein per day.
  • MACROS! Want your macros set so you know how to balance your protein, fat, and carbs? We can set your custom macros, based on your needs.

Our Favorite Ground Chicken Recipes:

Light green Dutch oven of Cajun meatball stew.
Cajun Meatball Stew
Find the perfect comfort meal in this Cajun Meatball Stew. Homemade cajun meatballs, veggies, and potatoes are simmered in a stewy beef broth. The cajun seasoning is perfectly spicy, and intensely flavorful which makes this rich stew one that'll make you warm and cozy.
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Ground chicken sloppy joes on parchment paper.
Ground Chicken Sloppy Joes
These Ground Chicken Sloppy Joes have all the flavors of the American classic but made with only natural ingredients, ready in less than 20 minutes and uses one pan. This flavorful and easy meal can be added to buns, lettuce wraps, salads or over rice. 
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Spoon in a bowl of Chicken Gnocchi Soup.
Instant Pot Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Look no further, you're new favorite soup is here! This Instant Pot Chicken Gnocchi Soup has a creamy broth filled with ground chicken, nutritious veggies, and a blend of flavorful seasonings. This soup is easy to make with simple ingredients, ready in no time, and makes a ton of leftovers to have for the week.
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Stir fry in a bowl with chop sticks.
Ground Chicken Stir Fry
Healthy weeknight dinners don't have to be boring. And with its savory sauce, crisp vegetables and tender ground chicken, this Ground Chicken Stir Fry proves it. This delicious dish is low calorie, low fat, high protein and ready in no time.
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Plate full of assembled lettuce wraps with chicken, cucumbers, bell peppers, carrots, peanuts and extra peanut sauce on top.
Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce
These Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce are filled with crunchy veggies, flavorful chicken and topped off with a homemade low-fat peanut sauce. Ready in less than 20 minutes, this easy, healthy and flavorful meal is a weeknight winner.
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Plated maple chicken sausages.
Homemade Maple Chicken Sausage
These homemade Maple Chicken Sausage Patties have just two easy steps and are ready in 10 minutes. Sweet, salty and delicious, this breakfast must-have goes perfectly in casseroles, with fried eggs and potatoes or as a side to Sunday morning pancakes or French toast.
Get the recipe >
Mediterranean chicken meatballs in a bowl of lettuce and rice with homemade tzatziki and greek salad.
Mediterranean Chicken Meatball Bowls
These Mediterranean Chicken Meatballs in a bowl are an explosion of flavors. With juicy meatballs, homemade Tzatziki sauce, and greek salad filled with fresh vegetables, these bowls cannot get much better. An awesome way to meal prep for the week, or to have a flavorful family dinner, these bowls are one of my favorite ways to enjoy Mediterranean flavors. 
Get the recipe >
Chicken spaghetti in an Instant Pot.
Instant Pot Chicken Spaghetti
This Instant Pot Chicken Spaghetti is perfectly sauced, effortless to make, and guaranteed to be a family favorite. This tomato based pasta is high in protein from ground chicken and filled with flavor from herbs, spices and simple seasonings.
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3 stacked air fried meatballs, one cut in half dipped in marinara sauce.
Air Fryer Chicken Meatballs
These Air Fryer Chicken Meatballs are an easy weeknight meal and a great way to get in extra protein. Made with ground chicken, breadcrumbs and a few simple spices, these juicy meatballs make the perfect appetizer, snack or add-in to pasta. Ready in no time with delicious flavor, you can't go wrong with these meatballs.
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A close-up of freshly baked, fluffy chicken bacon ranch sliders filled with a savory mixture, topped with sesame seeds. The golden-brown tops glisten, suggesting a soft, buttery texture. The filling includes finely chopped ingredients, peeking out from the split rolls.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders
These Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders make the perfect party app or after school snack. Buttery rolls are filled with melted cheese, crispy crumbled bacon and flavorful ranch seasoned for little sandwiches that are great for football season or family gatherings.
Get the recipe >

Ground Chicken FAQs

Can I make these recipes with another ground meat?

Most definitely! You can use ground pork, turkey or beef interchangeably with these ground chicken recipes. I like ground chicken because it’s light and lean. If you’re looking to add a richer and more fatty flavor to these dishes, use ground beef or ground pork.

Check out our other easy recipes!

Spoon in a bowl of Chicken Gnocchi Soup.

Instant Pot Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Danielle Lima
Look no further than this list for healthy ground chicken recipes for all your weeknight needs. From chicken gnocchi soup to homemade chicken meatballs, we have it all. Each delicious recipe is filled with flavor, is high in protein and is sure to please even the pickiest of eaters.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 8 servings
Calories 233 kcal

📱 MyFitnessPal & MacrosFirst App Users

You can find this recipe and many others on MyFitnessPal and MacrosFirst by searching: Ohsnapmacros – Instant Pot Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Equipment

  • Instant Pot

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 lb. lean ground chicken
  • 1 medium yellow onion diced
  • 2 carrots peeled and diced in rounds
  • 2 stalks celery diced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. pepper
  • 1 tsp. dried basil
  • 1 tsp. dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp. paprika
  • 4 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 lb. potato gnocchi
  • 2 cups fresh spinach packed
  • 1 cup frozen peas 130g
  • 1 cup frozen corn 140g
  • 1/2 cup fat-free half-and-half 115g

Optional Toppings

  • fresh chopped parsley
  • fresh grated Parmesan cheese
  • hot sauce

Instructions
 

  • Set your Instant Pot to the sauté setting. Add the olive oil, once hot, add the ground chicken. Cook until browned, breaking into bite size pieces. This takes about 5 minutes. If using frozen ground chicken do the same this may just take longer to cook. 
  • Add the salt, pepper, basil, paprika and oregano to the chicken. Stir to evenly coat. 
  • Add the garlic, onions, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 2 minutes until the vegetables start to soften and garlic is fragrant. 
  • Pour in the chicken broth, stirring well to combine and to scrape any bits off the bottom of the pot. This will prevent the "burn" warning.
  • Add the gnocchi to the pot. Stir well to combine.
  • Put the lid on the Instant Pot, set the valve to sealing position, and cook on Manual High Pressure for 4 minutes.
  • When the timer beeps, quick release the pressure. Once the pressure is fully released, remove the lid.
  • Set the Instant Pot back to the sauté setting. Stir in the spinach, peas and corn. Cook for a few minutes until the spinach has wilted and the peas and corn are warmed through.
  • Add in the fat-free half-and-half, stirring until well combined.
  • Allow the soup to simmer for a few more minutes until it's heated through and the peas and corn are warm. 
  • Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
  • Serve the soup hot, garnished with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley. 

Notes

  • All nutritional information is an estimate and will vary with substitutions.
  • Use any preferred ground meat for this gnocchi soup.
  • Beef broth, veggie broth or bone broth may be used in place of chicken broth.
  • Add any fresh or frozen vegetables you prefer. 
  • Alternatively to cooking the gnocchi in the instant pot you can simmer after removing the lid until cooked through. 
Stove top instructions: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the ground chicken. Cook until browned, breaking it into bite-sized pieces, about 5 minutes. Add the salt, pepper, basil, paprika, and oregano to the chicken, stirring to coat evenly.
Mix in the garlic, onions, carrots, and celery, sautéing for about 2-3 minutes until the vegetables start to soften and the garlic becomes fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth, making sure to stir well, scraping any bits from the bottom of the pot.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. Add the gnocchi and continue to simmer until they rise to the surface and are cooked through approximately 3-4 minutes.
Stir in the spinach, peas, and corn. Allow them to cook for a few minutes until the spinach has wilted and the peas and corn are warmed through. Mix in the fat-free half-and-half, stirring well. Let the soup simmer for a few more minutes until everything is heated through.
SLOW COOKER Instructions:  In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the ground chicken. Cook until browned, breaking it into bite-sized pieces. This will take about 5 minutes.
Transfer the browned chicken to the slow cooker. Add salt, pepper, basil, paprika, oregano, garlic, onions, carrots, celery, and chicken broth. Stir to combine.
Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours.
About 20 minutes before serving, add the gnocchi to the slow cooker. Stir well, cook until the gnocchi flout to the top. Once cooked add in the spinach, peas, corn, and fat-free half-and-half. Stir well and cover, allowing the spinach to wilt and the peas and corn to heat through.

Nutrition

Serving: 350gCalories: 233kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 19gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 843mgPotassium: 510mgFiber: 4gSugar: 5g
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