Chicken Bolognese Recipe That’s Classic and Hearty

Chicken bolognese redefines the classic Italian sauce into a lighter, more vibrant culinary experience.

Lean ground chicken brings unexpected depth and tenderness to this traditional recipe.

Fragrant herbs and robust spices dance through the silky tomato base, creating layers of complex flavor.

Home cooks appreciate how this rendition offers a healthier alternative without sacrificing taste or texture.

The sauce simmers gently, allowing ingredients to meld and intensify their natural essence.

Hearty yet nimble, this bolognese promises a comforting meal that feels both indulgent and nourishing.

Your dinner guests will be impressed by the sophisticated yet approachable character of this dish.

Best Chicken Bolognese: A Savory Twist on a Classic

• Savor Quick Comfort: This chicken bolognese delivers a hearty, satisfying meal in under 45 minutes, perfect for busy weeknight dinners that don't compromise on flavor.
• Customize with Ease: The flexible recipe allows home cooks to adjust spice levels, swap vegetables, or modify protein types without losing the core deliciousness of the classic Italian-inspired sauce.
• Nutritional Powerhouse: Packed with lean ground chicken, vegetables, and balanced macronutrients, this dish offers a protein-rich meal that supports healthy eating without sacrificing taste or satisfaction.
• Restaurant-Quality at Home: By using simple techniques like simmering and layering ingredients, home chefs can create a sophisticated pasta sauce that rivals restaurant-made versions, boosting cooking confidence and culinary skills.

Key Ingredients for Perfect Chicken Bolognese

• Ground Chicken: Lean protein that forms the hearty base of the Bolognese sauce, best when freshly ground.
• Chicken Broth: Adds depth and moisture to the sauce, enhancing overall flavor profile.

• Onions, Carrots, Mushrooms: Classic mirepoix that provides a sweet and earthy foundation for the sauce, fresh and finely diced for best texture.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that brings intense flavor and depth to the dish.
• Red Chili Flakes: Adds a subtle heat and complexity to the sauce.

• Diced Tomatoes, Tomato Paste: Creates rich tomato base with concentrated flavor, opt for high-quality canned varieties.
• Basil: Fresh herb that adds bright, aromatic notes to the sauce.
• Bay Leaf: Provides subtle depth and complexity, removed before serving.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance and balance overall taste.
• Olive Oil: Helps sauté vegetables and provides a smooth cooking base.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth, velvety sauce texture.

• Pasta: Vehicle for the sauce, cook according to package instructions.
• Fresh Basil: Bright garnish that adds fresh herbal notes.
• Parmesan Cheese: Salty, umami topping that complements the sauce perfectly.

How to Make a Flavorful Chicken Bolognese from Scratch

Step 1: Prepare Aromatic Vegetable Base

• Diced onions
• Diced carrots
• Chopped mushrooms

Cook for 4-5 minutes until onions become translucent and vegetables start to soften.

Step 2: Brown The Chicken

• Minced garlic
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Red chili flakes

Break up the meat with a wooden spoon while cooking. Cook for 3-4 minutes, keeping the chicken slightly pink in the center.

Step 3: Create Flavorful Sauce

• Diced tomatoes
• Tomato paste
• Chicken broth
• Fresh basil
• Bay leaf
• Butter

Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 15-25 minutes. For a richer flavor, extend simmering to 30-35 minutes if you have extra time.

Step 4: Remove Bay Leaf

Carefully take out the bay leaf from the sauce before serving.

Step 5: Cook And Combine Pasta

Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain pasta and reserve of pasta water. Mix cooked pasta with the sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed to achieve desired consistency.

Step 6: Garnish And Serve

Top with fresh basil leaves and grated Parmesan cheese. Serve hot and enjoy your delicious chicken bolognese!

Achieving the Right Texture in Chicken Bolognese

• Boost Meat Tenderness: Brown ground chicken quickly over high heat to seal in juices and prevent dryness, creating a more succulent texture.
• Enhance Depth of Flavor: Let the sauce simmer longer than recommended to develop richer, more complex taste profiles and allow ingredients to meld together.
• Perfect Pasta Pairing: Choose pasta shapes with ridges or curves like rigatoni or penne to help sauce cling better and maximize flavor in every bite.
• Moisture Magic: Reserve pasta water before draining, as its starchy consistency helps create a silkier, more cohesive sauce when mixed with the bolognese.
• Cheese Upgrade: Grate fresh Parmesan directly over the dish instead of using pre-packaged cheese for a more robust and authentic Italian flavor experience.

Storing and Enjoying Leftover Chicken Bolognese

• Refrigerate the chicken Bolognese sauce and pasta separately in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Stored properly, they'll stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. When reheating, warm the sauce in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Add a splash of chicken broth or pasta water to restore moisture and prevent dryness. For pasta, microwave in 30-second intervals, mixing between each interval to ensure even heating. Always check the internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety. Avoid freezing the prepared dish, as pasta can become mushy when thawed.

Perfect Side Dishes to Serve with Chicken Bolognese

• Pair with Hearty Red Wine: Select a medium-bodied Italian red like Chianti or Sangiovese to complement the rich chicken bolognese sauce. The wine's acidity cuts through the meat's richness while enhancing the tomato's bright flavors.
• Create Crisp Side Salad: Prepare a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the sauce's warmth. Fresh greens provide a refreshing contrast and add nutritional brightness to the meal.
• Serve with Crusty Garlic Bread: Toasted rustic bread rubbed with garlic and drizzled with olive oil makes the perfect accompaniment. Bread helps soak up the delicious sauce and adds a satisfying crunch to each bite.
• Match with Herbal Sparkling Water: Choose a sparkling water infused with herbs like rosemary or thyme to cleanse the palate between bites. The bubbles and herbal notes will refresh and elevate the dining experience.

Fun Variations of Chicken Bolognese to Try

• Mediterranean Chicken Bolognese: Replace red chili flakes with oregano and add crumbled feta cheese. Incorporate chopped kalamata olives for a Greek-inspired flavor profile.
• Spicy Southwest Chicken Bolognese: Mix in diced green chilies, cumin, and smoked paprika. Top with fresh cilantro and a dollop of sour cream for a zesty southwestern kick.
• Creamy Herb Chicken Bolognese: Stir in heavy cream and fresh thyme during the final simmer. Garnish with chopped chives and extra fresh herbs for a rich, aromatic version of the classic sauce.
• Vegetable-Packed Chicken Bolognese: Add zucchini and bell peppers to the initial vegetable sauté. Include a handful of spinach just before serving to boost nutrition and add vibrant green color.

Chicken Bolognese Recipe

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4.7 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Rich, hearty chicken bolognese delivers Italian comfort straight from home kitchens, blending tender ground chicken with robust tomato sauce and aromatic herbs. Creamy pasta waves cradle this classic sauce, inviting you to savor each delectable, warmly spiced bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Proteins:

• 1 pound (0.45 kilogram) ground chicken
• 16 ounces (0.45 kilogram) pasta of choice (fettuccine, brown rice, quinoa, lentil, or chickpea gluten-free)

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
• 1 cup (1 large) carrot, finely diced
• 1 cup baby bella or cremini mushrooms, finely diced
• 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons fresh basil, finely chopped

Liquids and Sauces:

• 28 ounces (0.8 kilogram) can diced or crushed tomatoes
• ¼ cup tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• Low-sodium chicken broth (amount not specified)
• Salt (to taste)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

1. Prepare a spacious Dutch oven or large pot, heating olive oil over medium-high temperature until shimmering.
2. Sauté diced onions, carrots, and mushrooms for 4-5 minutes, allowing vegetables to soften and release their aromatic essence.
3. Introduce ground chicken to the vegetable mixture, along with minced garlic, salt, ground black pepper, and red chili flakes. Gently fragment the meat using a wooden spoon while cooking for 3-4 minutes, maintaining a slightly pink interior.
4. Incorporate diced tomatoes, concentrated tomato paste, rich chicken broth, fresh basil leaves, a single bay leaf, and a pat of butter into the meat mixture.
5. Reduce cooking temperature to medium-low, allowing the sauce to gently simmer and develop complex flavors. Stir periodically, letting the sauce reduce and intensify for 20-30 minutes.
6. While sauce simmers, prepare pasta according to package instructions in a separate pot, using both standard (grams) and American (ounces) measurements as a guide.
7. Carefully extract the bay leaf from the sauce, ensuring no remnants remain in the final dish.
8. Drain pasta, reserving of starchy cooking liquid to help bind the sauce.
9. Combine pasta with the robust chicken bolognese sauce, adding reserved pasta water to achieve a silky, cohesive texture.
10. Garnish with freshly torn basil leaves and generously sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese before serving.

Notes

• Elevate your weeknight dinner with this quick and flavorful chicken bolognese that transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal.
• Mushrooms add unexpected depth and umami, creating a more complex sauce compared to traditional beef-based bolognese.
• Simmering allows herbs and spices to meld together, developing a rich flavor profile that gets better with time.
• Reserving pasta water helps create a silky sauce that perfectly coats each noodle, ensuring maximum taste in every bite.
• Fresh basil and Parmesan cheese provide a bright, finishing touch that cuts through the sauce’s richness and adds a professional chef-like presentation.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 490 kcal
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 64g
• Fiber: 9g
• Protein: 30g
• Cholesterol: 90mg