Chicken Bolognese Recipe

This chicken bolognese recipe is packed full of flavor, healthy, and delicious. It is easy to make this ground chicken bolognese, it's simple, quick and you can get it ready in 30 minutes and serve your family a tasty chicken pasta dinner.

If you're looking for a recipe that is comforting, and you can make with minimal prep, this is the one.

This bolognese chicken pasta recipe is warming, tasty, and the ultimate comfort food. My family loves pasta especially spaghetti and we love chicken so this dish is one of their favorites. I get clean plates all the time and the kids even sometimes ask for more. It's so good.

You can either serve the sauce on the spaghetti or toss the spaghetti in it. I prefer serving over as some of us like it that way while those that like it tossed can then do that on their plate. Win-win situation.

What is Bolognese

Bolognese is a type of meat sauce that is tomato based and includes ingredients like garlic, onions, and some other vegetables. It is slowly cooked, thick, and served over pasta like spaghetti, tagliatelle, and used in lasagne.

It is known in Italian as ragu but outside Italy, It's commonly called bolognese and there is variation in recipe from the Italian ragu and what is known as bologne.

Spaghetti bolognese sometimes called 'spag bol' where the sauce is served over or tossed with spaghetti is not authentic Italian cuisine.

Chicken Bolognese

Chicken bolognese is a healthy twist for the classic bolognese sauce made with minced meat (beef and pork). It's a great alternative for people who don't eat beef or prefer to use leaner meat for their bolognese sauce.

This recipe is super duper easy to make, after sauteeing the onion and garlic, the rest of the process is pretty much hands-off.

It's quick and cooks in 30 minutes which makes it way faster than the classic bolognese that takes about 60 minutes or more.

Not only is it healthier by it being leaner, but ground chicken used is also cheaper than beef mince plus you can make your own chicken mince at home.

Chicken bolognese is rich in flavor and I haven't met anyone who doesn't like this sauce.

This recipe is made with fresh, clean ingredients. No wine, no bacon, as it is done with the Italian version.

You can double the bolognese sauce recipe and store it for use at a later time. It keeps well in the freezer.

Ingredients

Chicken mince - This is also known as ground chicken and you can easily make yours at home. I have a detailed post on how to mince chicken. Check it out for a detailed step-by-step instructions. You can also substitute ground chicken for shredded chicken, chopped chicken thighs, or leftover shredded boiled or roast chicken.

Chopped tomatoes - This is what I used in this recipe however you can also use bottled bolognese tomatoes or passata.

Tomato paste- You might also know this as tomato puree. This helps thicken the sauce, and give it a richer tomato taste. Just a little bit is needed for this recipe.

Onion - The flavor . I used brown onion but you can use yellow onion, white, red or any good one.

Garlic

Black pepper- For hotness. You can substitute for cayenne pepper, habanero chilli flakes, crushed pepper flakes or pepper of choice.

Basil

Oregano

Parsley

Thyme

Bouillon cube/stock cube - To add flavor. I like to use this in my sauce as it makes a difference in the final taste of the bolognese sauce.

Chicken broth or water

Oil- I either use olive oil, vegetable oil, or sunflower oil. Only a tablespoon or two is needed to saute the onions and cook the bolognese.

Worcester sauce - Adds umami to the sauce and balances the tomato taste.

Carrot- This is optional and i didn't add it for this post.

Note: If you have Italian seasoning in your kitchen cupboard, you can use it to replace basil, oregano, and thyme. More details in the recipe card.

How to Make Chicken Bolognese

Here is how to make it in simple steps:

Make the Chicken Bolognese Sauce - Put a thick bottom pot on medium heat. Add oil in the pot then add in the chopped onions. Stir for a minute or two till it's sauteed then add in the garlic and sautee for another minute.

Add in the ground chicken and brown it till it's no longer pink then add in all the other ingredients.

Stir and leave to simmer on low-medium heat for 30 minutes or till thick and creamy.

Make Spaghetti - While the sauce is cooking on one side, on another burner cook the spaghetti. Follow the directions on the package however most spaghetti takes about 8-10 minutes to cook.

When it's cooked, drain the water from the spaghetti.

Serve - Serve the sauce over the pasta or toss the pasta in the sauce whichever one you prefer.

Enjoy it warm.

What to Serve With Bolognese

Cheese- Topped with grated cheese like Parmesan, cheddar, or pecorino perfects this dish.

Bread - Bread is always a good side dish to this chicken spaghetti bolognese. Breads like garlic bread, pull apart bread, cheesy garlic bread pairs with it so well.

Salads - Simple salads like tangy coleslaw, works a treat.

Drinks - Whether it's white wine, red wine, or fruit juices, drinks is the perfect end to any meal and this dish is not excluded.

How to Store

Let it cool and put leftovers in a sealed container and store it in the fridge where it will keep for up to 3 days.

To store in the freezer: Put in a freezer-safe container, label it and keep it in the freezer where it will last for up to 3 months.

You can reheat in the microwave or stovetop. 

Defrost it in the fridge overnight, then reheat as below:

To reheat on the stove: Put it in a pot, add a splash of water, cover the pot, and steam over low medium heat for about 6 minutes or until heated through.

To reheat in the microwave: Add a splash of water so it doesn't dry out, and warm it on high heat settings for 2 minutes. If needed add additional time till it's heated all the way through.

Tips

• You can use cooked shredded chicken like chicken thighs or breasts or a mix of both.

• Substitute chopped tomatoes for marinara sauce or passanta.

• You can substitute bouillon cube for stock pot.

• If you have vegetables like celery, and carrots you can add them to the sauce if you wish.

• Bolognese tastes better the next day so you can make it a day ahead and enjoy it at its sweetest.

• Brown the chicken before adding the tomatoes and spices.

• You don't have to toss in spaghetti. You can use the sauce on rice and other types of pasta like linguine, tagliatelle or even short pasta like rigatoni, penne, etc. 

More Chicken dinner recipes 

Spicy chicken wings

Teriyaki chicken thighs

Spicy chicken drumsticks

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