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35 Easy Ground Chicken Recipes

This roundup of easy ground chicken recipes will make meal prep or weeknight dinners a breeze. Most of the recipes on this list can be made in less than thirty minutes with just one pan. You’ll find primarily low fat and high protein recipes, but there are some low carb options as well.

Ground Chicken vs Ground Turkey

In case you’re wondering, you can probably substitute ground turkey or even ground beef for most recipes in this post.

That said, the debate between chicken and turkey isn’t even close. Ground chicken has a mild flavor and works perfectly with any recipe. It’s also easy to find low fat percentages like 97% lean ground chicken just like turkey.

And if you’re having trouble finding lean options or any ground chicken option in your store, you can make your own ground chicken (with or without a meat grinder) using chicken breasts, thighs, or other parts of the chicken. It’s economical, fresh, and easier than you’d think.

Now, let’s get to some of our favorite recipes for ground chicken!

1. Sweet and Spicy Chicken and Broccoli

chicken and broccoli with sesame seeds in a brown bowl with rice

This is one of my favorite one-pan meals. Pan roasted broccoli and ground chicken come together with a sweet chili, sriracha, and honey sauce in about 20 minutes.

  • Calories: 260
  • Protein: 30g
  • Carbs: 18g
  • Fat: 11g

Recipe: The Best Ground Chicken and Broccoli

2. Chicken Meatball Soup

chicken meatball soup in a bowl with crackers on the side

This chicken meatball soup is like an Italian Wedding Soup, but is much more hearty, healthy, and flavorful! It’s the perfect balanced and comforting soup that’s kid-friendly too!

  • Calories: 320
  • Protein: 30g
  • Carbs: 35g
  • Fat: 9g

Recipe: Meatball Barley Soup

3. Cheeseburger Pasta

a skillet filled with cheeseburger pasta topped with parsley

A one-pan recipe with ground chicken, high protein chickpea pasta, a low fat burger sauce, and melted cheddar cheese. It’s an indulgent dish that you wouldn’t expect to be packed with so much filling protein and fiber.

  • Calories: 275
  • Protein: 25g
  • Carbs: 19g
  • Fat: 13g

Recipe: Cheeseburger Ground Chicken Pasta

4. One-Pan Greek Chicken, Rice, and Veggies

a skillet with tomatoes, red onion, zucchini, bell pepper, ground chicken, and rice

If you’re a fan of chicken bowls with lots of rice and veggies, then you’ll love this combo. Lean ground chicken, protein packed Right Rice, and roasted vegetables come together to make one of my favorite meal prep recipes.

  • Calories: 280
  • Protein: 28g
  • Carbs: 22g
  • Fat: 11g

Recipe: Mediterranean Ground Chicken and Rice Skillet

5. Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps

lettuce wraps with Asian ground chicken

Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps (better than P.F. Chang’s)! A quick (less than 30 minutes), easy, and healthy dinner that tastes delicious!

  • Calories: 210
  • Protein: 19g
  • Carbs: 14g
  • Fat: 9g

Recipe: Ground Chicken Lettuce Wraps

6. Firecracker Ground Chicken

black bowl with rice and firecracker ground chicken topped with green onion and toasted sesame seeds

Chili oil cooked chicken with a sticky sweet and tangy sauce. Perfect for serving with rice or cauliflower rice.

  • Calories: 185
  • Protein: 22g
  • Carbs: 0g*
  • Fat: 11g

*With zero-calorie Swerve brown sugar substitute. Carbs increase slightly with regular brown sugar.

Recipe: Low Crab Firecracker Chicken

7. Thai Basil Chicken

rice and a Thai style fried egg in a bowl with Thai basil chicken

A healthier spin on Pad Kra Pao made with ingredients you should be able to find in any grocery store.

  • Calories: 190
  • Protein: 27g
  • Carbs: 8g
  • Fat: 7g

Recipe: Thai Basil Ground Chicken

8. Dan Dan Noodles

dan dan noodles in a bowl with chili crisp, scallions, and chopped peanuts

This twist on traditional dan dan noodles swaps ground pork for lean ground chicken, peanut butter or tahini for low fat powdered versions, and the noodles for a Carba-Nada alternative that’s high protein and fiber.

  • Calories: 405
  • Protein: 39g
  • Carbs: 37g
  • Fat: 13g

Recipe: Low Fat Dan Dan Noodles

9. Mexican Chorizo

chorizo breakfast taco on a plate with tortillas and Mexican chorizo on the side

Now you can make healthier breakfast tacos, scrambles, dips, or any recipe that calls for Mexican-style ground chorizo. This is one my favorite ground chicken meal prep recipes since you can pair it with so many things for quick, high protein breakfasts.

  • Calories: 130
  • Protein: 21g
  • Carbs: 1g
  • Fat: 6g

Recipe: Ground Chicken Chorizo

10. Tex-Mex Chicken Enchiladas

two enchiladas on a plate in front of the baking dish

A Tex-Mex style blend of ground chicken and rice stuffed inside lower carb tortillas and baked with red enchilada sauce and shredded cheddar.

  • Calories: 310
  • Protein: 24g
  • Carbs: 31g
  • Fat: 14g

Recipe: Ground Chicken Enchiladas

11. Chipotle BBQ Chicken Tacos

three BBQ chicken tacos topped with mango salsa and queso fresco

Mix up the flavors of your next Taco Tuesday with these ground chicken tacos. The chicken is cooked with a smoky chipotle BBQ sauce and served on tortillas with a fresh mango salsa.

  • Calories: 105
  • Protein: 13g
  • Carbs: 2g
  • Fat: 5g

Recipe: Ground Chicken Tacos

12. White Bean Chicken Chili

two bowls of chili topped with avocado slices, cheese, jalapeño, and lime wedges

This slow cooker White Bean Chicken Chili is a hearty, flavorful, and easy weeknight meal that can feed the whole family. Top with avocado, jalapeños, cilantro, and shredded cheese for a full-on, mouthwatering meal.

  • Calories: 330
  • Protein: 32g
  • Carbs: 33g
  • Fat: 7g

Recipe: Slow Cooker White Bean Chicken Chili

13. Tex-Mex White Bean Chicken Soup

bowl of white bean chicken soup topped with cilantro and sliced jalapeño

One of my favorite meals with ground chicken, this is a Texas spin on white bean soup with ground chicken, bacon, salsa verde, corn tortillas, and Mexican spices.

  • Calories: 255
  • Protein: 23g
  • Carbs: 34g
  • Fat: 3g

Recipe: Tex-Mex Ground Chicken Soup

14. Creamy Buffalo Ground Chicken Chili

cast iron Dutch oven filled with buffalo chicken chili topped with chives

A dairy-free creamy chili with buffalo ground chicken, chili beans, fresh herbs, and filling veggies.

  • Calories: 220
  • Protein: 20g
  • Carbs: 18g
  • Fat: 8g

Recipe: Buffalo Ground Chicken Chili

15. Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese

buffalo chicken mac and cheese in a skillet topped with green onion

A 30-minute recipe for creamy mac and cheese made with high protein chickpea pasta, lean ground chicken, and bubbly broiled Monterey jack cheese.

  • Calories: 380
  • Protein: 34g
  • Carbs: 31g
  • Fat: 16g

Recipe: Buffalo Ground Chicken Mac and Cheese

16. Butter Chicken Meatballs

butter chicken meatballs in a skillet

Check out this Indian inspired ground chicken meatball recipe made fast and easy in 30 minutes. It’s the perfect weeknight recipe, meal prep, or healthier take out recreation you can share with the whole family.

  • Calories: 260
  • Protein: 18g
  • Carbs: 7g
  • Fat: 18g

Recipe: Low Carb Butter Chicken Meatballs

17. Baked Chicken Meatballs

four BBQ chicken meatballs in a bowl on top of white rice

Whether you need an easy dinner protein option, healthy appetizer, or meal prep option, baked ground chicken meatballs are a great choice. They’re easy to make in bulk or throw on a sheet pan with other vegetables like the Greek meatballs and potatoes recipe linked below.

  • Calories: 95
  • Protein: 9g
  • Carbs: 5g
  • Fat: 4g

Recipes: Sriracha BBQ Chicken Meatballs or Greek Chicken Meatballs and Potatoes

18. Sweet Chili Chicken Meatballs

sweet chili chicken meatballs in an air fryer basket

The air fryer is the perfect way to make crispy on the outside, tender on the inside chicken meatballs. This version includes a sweet chili glaze with ginger and garlic seasoned ground chicken.

  • Calories: 75
  • Protein: 10g
  • Carbs: 5g
  • Fat: 2g

Recipe: Air Fryer Ground Chicken Meatballs

19. Smoked Chicken Meatballs

buffalo smoked meatballs topped with gorgonzola and green onion

I’ve given you baked, air fried, and just about any other way to make ground chicken meatballs. So why not smoked as well? You’ll find a buffalo and sriracha BBQ like the baked version linked below.

  • Calories: 95
  • Protein: 9g
  • Carbs: 5g
  • Fat: 4g

Recipes: Traeger Smoked BBQ Chicken Meatballs or Buffalo Chicken Smoked Meatballs

20. Chicken Meatloaf

slices of chicken meatloaf on a plate with mashed potatoes and broccoli

A twist on a classic comfort recipe, this Chicken Meatloaf is the easiest weeknight dinner recipe! Made with ground chicken and pantry staples, this recipe comes together quickly.

  • Calories: 450
  • Protein: 41g
  • Carbs: 29g
  • Fat: 20g

Recipe: Ground Chicken Meatloaf

21. Indian Ground Chicken Burgers

chicken burger on a cutting board with cucumber slaw

Indian flavors carry through these chicken burgers served with a refreshing cucumber and yogurt slaw.

  • Calories: 310
  • Protein: 31g
  • Carbs: 17g
  • Fat: 14g

Recipe: Indian Chicken Burgers

22. Breakfast Sausage Patties

chicken breakfast sausage patties in a skillet with Greek yogurt biscuits

This is easily one of my favorite recipes with ground chicken. You get all the peppery, herbaceous flavors you love about breakfast sausage without all the fat of classic pork sausage.

  • Calories: 60
  • Protein: 10g
  • Carbs: 0g
  • Fat: 3g

Recipe: Chicken Breakfast Sausage

23. Southern-Style Sausage Gravy

biscuits cut in half in a bowl with healthy sausage gravy

Take the same breakfast sausage seasoning from above and make creamy black pepper gravy. It goes perfectly with low fat Greek yogurt biscuits that will remind you of classic buttermilk biscuits.

  • Calories: 120
  • Protein: 17g
  • Carbs: 7g
  • Fat: 4g

Recipe: Healthy Chicken Sausage Gravy

24. Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadillas

six quesadillas on a wire rack before cutting into triangles

A 5-ingredient recipe with ground chicken, bacon, ranch seasoning, and just enough cheese to make an awesome high protein snack or appetizer.

  • Calories: 250
  • Protein: 25g
  • Carbs: 15g
  • Fat: 14g

Recipe: Ground Chicken Quesadillas

25. Spicy Coconut Ground Chicken

spicy coconut ground chicken topped with sesame seeds and green onion in a blue bowl with white rice

Rich and creamy chicken simmered with coconut milk, gochujang, and honey that goes perfectly with rice or cauliflower rice and a side of broccoli.

  • Calories: 230
  • Protein: 27g
  • Carbs: 13g
  • Fat: 10g

Recipe: Chili Coconut Ground Chicken

26. Thai Curry Ground Chicken and Rice

chicken and rice in a bowl with chili crisp and lime

Taking a page out of the book of another recipe on this list in the Greek ground chicken skillet, this one-pan combo pairs Thai Curry Right Rice with spicy ground chicken, peanuts, and more goodies. It comes together in no time at all and reheats like a dream, making it great for meal prep.

  • Calories: 415
  • Protein: 36g
  • Carbs: 37g
  • Fat: 14g

Recipe: Ground Chicken and Thai Curry Right Rice

27. Bang Bang Chicken Dip

dipping a baked wonton chip in bang bang chicken dip

If you’re a fan of bang bang shrimp or anything with bang bang sauce, you’ll love this low fat creamy chicken dip and the baked wonton chips for dipping.

  • Calories: 95
  • Protein: 7g
  • Carbs: 4g
  • Fat: 6g

Recipe: Bang Bang Ground Chicken Dip

28. Spicy Ground Chicken and Broccoli

skillet with chili garlic broccoli and ground chicken

Unlock the power of the humble chili garlic sauce with this one pan ground chicken and veggie combo.

  • Calories: 220
  • Protein: 29g
  • Carbs: 12g
  • Fat: 10g

Recipe: Chili Garlic Ground Chicken and Broccoli

29. Ground Chicken Shepherd’s Pie

If you’ve been avoiding shepherd’s pie or cottage pie for fear of all the dirty dishes, this version comes together in one pan thanks to pre-made mashed potatoes. There’s also a low carb cottage pie version that uses pre-made mashed cauliflower.

  • Calories: 370
  • Protein: 26g
  • Carbs: 36g
  • Fat: 16g

Recipe: Easy Chicken Shepherd’s Pie

30. Honey Balsamic Ground Chicken and Brussels Sprouts

chicken and brussels sprouts with rice

The sauce in this recipe should be bottled and sold.

  • Calories: 255
  • Protein: 28g
  • Carbs: 23g
  • Fat: 8g

Recipe: Ground Chicken and Brussels Sprouts

31. Spaghetti and Meatballs

3 chicken meatballs on top of protein spaghetti topped with basil and grated parmesan

This is easily one of my favorite recipes from this year, and there’s no way a dish this satisfying should have the macronutrient ratios it does.

  • Calories: 290
  • Protein: 24g
  • Carbs: 28g
  • Fat: 10g

Recipe: Spaghetti and Italian Chicken Meatballs

32. Ground Chicken Tinga

refried black beans on a tostada with ground chicken pickled onions and cilantro

Classic Mexican chicken tinga made even easier with ground chicken.

  • Calories: 170
  • Protein: 22g
  • Carbs: 8g
  • Fat: 6g

Recipe: Ground Chicken Tinga Tostadas

33. Easy 5-Ingredient Orange Chicken

bowl of ground chicken with broccoli and rice

Sugar-free orange marmalade, barbecue sauce, chili garlic sauce, soy sauce, and ground chicken come together to make a crazy simple dish that’s perfect for meal prep bowls with roasted broccoli and a low carb rice blend.

  • Calories: 350
  • Protein: 33g
  • Carbs: 42g
  • Fat: 8g

Recipe: Orange Ground Chicken Meal Prep Bowls

34. Chicken Bacon Ranch Mac & Cheese

chicken bacon ranch mac and cheese in a bowl

Who doesn’t love chicken bacon ranch as a flavor combo?

  • Calories: 405
  • Protein: 40g
  • Carbs: 25g
  • Fat: 19g

Recipe: Ground Chicken Mac and Cheese

35. Spicy Sloppy Joes

ground chicken sloppy joes on a rack

Swap relish for diced pickled jalapeño peppers in your next batch of sloppy joes. Trust me!

  • Calories: 150
  • Protein: 26g
  • Carbs: 3g
  • Fat: 5g

Recipe: Spicy Ground Chicken Sloppy Joes

Wrapping Up

And that’s all the healthy ground chicken recipes I have for you.

Like I mentioned in the introduction about being able to substitute ground chicken for ground turkey or beef, you can easily go from beef to chicken as well. So check out my round up of thirty macro friendly ground beef recipes next to get some more ideas of what to make with ground chicken.

Capri

Sunday 14th of November 2021

All of these options look so delicious! I plan to make my way through this list, one dish at a time! :) Thanks for sharing!