Ground Chicken Spaghetti is the healthier alternative to ground beef pasta and comes together in just 15 minutes. Instead of your regular ground beef, we are using a lean ground chicken that offers the same delicious flavors but with a healthier twist! With just a few staple ingredients, you are guaranteed to fall in love with the ease of this recipe any night of the week!Ā
Compared to beef, ground chicken is a better source of protein. As a result of its high-fat content, beef is a higher-fat and higher-calorie meat. Ground chicken also has more vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin K, vitamin B1, B3, and B5. However, beef is significantly higher in folate and vitamin B12.
In general, red meats, (such as beef, pork, and lamb) have more saturated fat than skinless chicken, fish, and plant proteins. Saturated fats can raise your blood cholesterol and increase your risk of heart disease. If you eat poultry, pork, beef, or other meats, choose lean meat, skinless poultry, and unprocessed forms like this super lean ground chicken from. Springer Mountain Farms is committed to using 100% U.S.- grown corn and soybeans in their chicken feed and takes strides to reduce their environmental impact.
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Why you will love this recipe
Ground chicken is a real jack of all trades in the kitchen. From lasagna to burgers to chili, ground chicken works wonders in any recipe. Offering a lean, protein-packed alternative to the more commonly used ground beef or pork, it is lighter in taste, fat, and calories, and holds up in even the heartiest of recipes.
Ingredients
Olive oil: for this ground chicken pasta recipe, I like to use a combination of basil olive oil, garlic olive oil, and regular olive oil. Choosing a quality organic olive oil is key to the delicious flavor profile of this recipe. Costabile Brand is my favorite. (use code 15GOLDENGK for 15% off) Ā
Ground Chicken: use a quality lean ground chicken, such as the one from Springer Mountain Farms to keep your fat content low in this recipe.Ā
Pasta: for all of my pasta dishes, I like to use Rummo gluten-free pasta, as I find that the texture holds up the best.
Pasta sauce: any pasta sauce will do. For this one, I just used a traditional marinara by Born Simple.
Italian seasoning
Garlic powder
BasilĀ
Instructions
In a large sautĆ© pan, over medium heat, combine 1 teaspoon olive oil with the ground chicken and salt. Allow ground chicken to begin to brown, stirring occasionally.Ā Ā Once chicken is fully browned about 5 to 7 minutes later, drain in a colander, then place into the sauce. Place the lid back on and allow to simmer 10 minutes. Combine with cooked pasta and serve!Ā Optional: top with fresh basil.Ā
Storage
- Once the marinara sauce and chicken have come to room temperature, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
- To reheat, simply warm in the microwave, or in a saucepan over medium-low heat covered with a lid. Be sure to stir occasionally.
Tips:Ā
- Try adding more nutritional value to your pasta sauce by adding finely diced veggies, like carrots, and mushrooms.
- Choose a healthier companion for this ground chicken, such as zucchini noodles for this spaghetti squash. Try adding fire-roasted tomatoes to your pasta for a smoky flavor.
- If you like a little bit of heat, you can add crushed red pepper to the marinara sauce.
FAQ
What if I donāt have ground chicken, can I use ground beef or ground turkey in this recipe?
Absolutely, you can use ground beef or ground turkey as an easy swap for this ground chicken spaghetti.
Do I have to use gluten-free pasta?
No, if you do not have an issue with gluten, feel free to use any pasta for this recipe. Alternatively, if you are looking to keep calories, even lower, place this ground chicken over spaghetti squash.
Is this ground chicken spaghetti dairy free?
Yes, this ground chicken pasta recipe is dairy-free.Ā
Can I add mozzarella and Parmesan to this to make it a chicken Parmesan?
Yes, adding mozzarella and Parmesan to this ground chicken recipe would take it up another level!Ā
Do I have to use the flavored olive oil in this recipe?
No, you do not have to use those olive oils, simply add Ā¼ teaspoon of garlic powder and Ā¼ teaspoon of basil to this recipe and its place.Ā
Can I make this ground chicken in advance?
Yes, the pasta sauce and ground chicken can be made ahead of time and stored in a airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The flavor profile will also increase overtime so this is a great recipe to make ahead of time. Simply reheat the pasta sauce on medium low in a sauce pan covered with a lid.
Can I make meatballs instead?Ā
Absolutely, meatballs, work great with this ground chicken as well. Try this ground chicken meatball recipe paired up with the marinara sauce.
ā Did you make this recipe? Donāt forget to give it a star rating below!Ā I would love to hear back from you! You can alsoĀ FOLLOW MEĀ onĀ Ā Instagram,Ā Pinterest,Ā Tiktok,Ā andĀ FacebookĀ for more delicious recipes!
š Recipe
Ground Chicken Spaghetti
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken springer mountain farms
- 1 teaspoon basil olive oil (use code 15GOLDENGK for 15% off) Ā
- 1 teaspoon garlic olive oil (use code 15GOLDENGK for 15% off) Ā
- 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
- Ā½ teaspoon salt
- Ā½ teaspoon roasted garlic powder
- Ā½ teaspoon basil
- 18-24 oz pasta sauce
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 12-14 oz cooked pasta I used gluten free
Instructions
- In a large sauce pan, over medium heat combine the pasta sauce, basil oil, garlic oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and basil.
- Bring to a slight boil, then reduce to medium low and cover with a lid.Ā
- In a large sautƩ pan, over medium heat, combine 1 teaspoon olive oil with the ground chicken and salt.
- Allow ground chicken to begin to brown, stirring occasionally.
- Ā Once chicken is fully browned about 5 to 7 minutes later, drain in a colander, then place into the sauce.
- Place the lid back on and allow to simmer 10 minutes.
- Combine with cooked pasta and serve!Ā Optional: top with fresh basil.Ā
Notes
- Try adding more nutritional value to your pasta sauce by adding finely diced veggies, like carrots, and mushrooms.
- Choose a healthier companion for this ground chicken, such as zucchini noodles for thisĀ spaghetti squash. Try adding fire-roasted tomatoes to your pasta for a smoky flavor.
- If you like a little bit of heat, you can add crushed red pepper to the marinara sauce.
Gina Bruner says
Made this for dinner for myself and my little boy and we both loved it!! Such a yummy recipe and easy to follow along!
NKendrick says
Thank you for sharing! Glad you enjoyed it!
Bernice says
Although I usually make my spaghetti sauce with ground beef, I sometimes want to try something a little different. I tried your recipe and it was very tasty. Actually it was kind of funny that no one even noticed the change!
NKendrick says
I love that, thank you for sharing!
Tiffany says
I love having another recipe that we all like to uses ground chicken! The flavors of this all mix so deliciously well!
Amy says
Great recipe! We don't eat red meat so the chicken was a nice idea! Absolutely yum and my daughter asked for the leftovers to be packed for school lunch!
NKendrick says
So happy to hear this was a good alternative for you!!
Tisha says
We love using turkey or chicken for our spaghetti! SO good