Best Chicken Bolognese 🍝🍅

Welcome to our kitchen, where today we’ll be diving into a delightful twist on a classic Italian favorite: Chicken Bolognese! This recipe is a healthier take on traditional Bolognese, swapping out beef for ground chicken and packing in a medley of fresh vegetables. It’s a perfect dish for a cozy dinner, rich in flavor and hearty enough to satisfy any pasta lover. Let’s get cooking!

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground chicken 🍗
• 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 🫒
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced 🧅
• 1 cup carrot (1 large carrot), finely diced 🥕
• 1 cup baby bella or cremini mushrooms, finely diced 🍄
• 3-4 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
• 1 tsp salt, more to taste 🧂
• ½ tsp black pepper 🌶️
• 2 tsp crushed red chili flakes, more or less to taste 🌶️
• 28 oz can diced or crushed tomatoes 🍅
• ¼ cup tomato paste 🍅
• 1 ¼ cup low-sodium chicken broth 🍲
• 3 tbsp fresh basil, finely chopped 🌿
• 1 bay leaf 🍃
• 1-2 tbsp butter 🧈
• 16 oz pasta of choice (I like fettuccine, brown rice, quinoa, lentil, chickpea, gluten-free if needed) 🍝

Instructions

Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables

In a large Dutch oven or pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add in the finely diced onions, carrots, and mushrooms. Cook for 4-5 minutes until the onions are translucent. 🥘

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

Add in the ground chicken, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and red chili flakes. Use a wooden spoon to break up the meat as it cooks. Cook for about 3-4 minutes until the chicken is mostly cooked (it is okay if it is still pink). 🍗

Step 3: Simmer the Sauce

Add in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken broth, basil, bay leaf, and butter. Reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer for 15-25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste and adjust seasonings and salt as necessary. For maximum flavor, simmering for 30-35 minutes is ideal. 🍲

Step 4: Prepare the Pasta

Meanwhile, prepare the pasta according to the package instructions and drain. Save ½ cup of pasta water and set it aside. 🍝

Step 5: Combine and Serve

When the sauce is ready, remove the bay leaf. Pour your cooked pasta into the pan and stir until well combined. If more liquid is needed, add the saved pasta water. 🍝 Serve with some fresh basil and parmesan cheese, and enjoy! 🌿🧀

Nutrition and Serving Information

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cooking Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Calories: 450 kcal per serving
• Servings: 4 servings

Tips and Tricks

• Vegetable Variations: Feel free to add other vegetables such as zucchini or bell peppers for added nutrition and flavor.
• Spice Level: Adjust the amount of red chili flakes to your preference. If you like it spicy, add a bit more!
• Gluten-Free Option: Use your favorite gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free meal.

Conclusion

This Best Chicken Bolognese is a fantastic way to enjoy a classic Italian dish with a healthier twist. It’s loaded with flavor, easy to prepare, and sure to become a family favorite. Give it a try and let us know how it turns out in the comments below. Buon Appetito! 🍝🍅