Ground chicken isn’t always the most exciting ingredient, but it’s affordable, easy to find, and can work in a lot of different meals. The problem is, too many recipes fall flat and leave you with something dry or bland. These dinners actually bring flavor to the table and make ground chicken worth using. They’re straightforward to make and great for nights when you need something quick but still want it to taste good.
Chicken Kofta
These kofta are packed with herbs, garlic, and spices that bring out way more flavor than you’d expect from ground chicken. You can pan-fry, bake, grill, or even air fry them depending on how much effort you want to put in. They come together quickly and work for just about any kind of meal, from weeknight dinner to a casual cookout.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Kofta
Juicy Chicken Burgers
These burgers are anything but dry, thanks to a yogurt-based mix and a crisp slaw on top. They cook quickly and are a solid option when you’re over beef but still want something that feels substantial. Throw them on the grill or make them in a skillet for a fast dinner that actually hits the mark.
Get the Recipe: Juicy Chicken Burgers
Air Fryer Chicken Patties
These patties are great when you’re low on time but still want something that tastes like an actual meal. They’re juicy, golden on the outside, and take less than 20 minutes from start to finish in the air fryer. Throw them on a bun, over a salad, or eat them as is. They’re fast, simple, and don’t require any babysitting.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Patties
Chicken Caesar Smash Tacos
This mashup turns Caesar salad into a full meal with crispy tortillas, juicy chicken, and a tangy dressing that actually makes you want to eat your greens. It uses ground chicken in a way that feels fun and different, and it all comes together in one pan. It’s the kind of dinner that hits the spot without taking itself too seriously.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Caesar Smash Tacos
Ground Chicken Meatballs with Spinach Alfredo Sauce
These meatballs get crispy in the oven while you pull together a rich Alfredo sauce packed with spinach. It’s a full dinner that tastes like comfort food but doesn’t take much effort. Ground chicken works great here because it soaks up flavor without drying out.
Get the Recipe: Ground Chicken Meatballs with Spinach Alfredo Sauce
Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
These nuggets are easy to make with just five ingredients and cook fast in the air fryer. They’re crispy without deep frying and way better than anything from the freezer aisle. They’re perfect for nights when you want something that feels like a treat but takes less than half an hour.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
Ground Chicken Stuffed Peppers
Bell peppers get filled with seasoned ground chicken and rice, then baked until everything comes together. It’s one of those meals that’s simple but feels like you made an effort. It’s filling, colorful, and works well if you want something you can prep ahead.
Get the Recipe: Ground Chicken Stuffed Peppers
Ground Chicken Enchilada Skillet
Everything you love about enchiladas gets tossed into one pan for a fast, cheesy dinner. This skillet meal comes together in about 30 minutes and doesn’t leave you with a pile of dishes. Ground chicken soaks up the sauce and gives the whole thing great texture.
Get the Recipe: Ground Chicken Enchilada Skillet
Ground Chicken Sloppy Joes
This recipe takes the classic sloppy joe and gives it a bold flavor upgrade with ginger, garlic, and soy sauce. Ground chicken keeps it lighter but still satisfying. It’s a solid weeknight option when you want something fast that feels like more than just a sandwich.
Get the Recipe: Ground Chicken Sloppy Joes
Chicken Keema Curry with Green Beans
Keema is a spiced ground meat dish that’s easy to pull together and packed with flavor. This one uses green beans for a little texture and freshness. Ground chicken keeps it light enough for a quick dinner, but the spices give it enough personality to feel like something special.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Keema Curry with Green Beans
Spicy Chicken Mince Pasta
Ground chicken and tomato sauce get a kick from chili flakes and Worcestershire sauce in this easy pasta dinner. It’s a great way to get something bold on the table fast without relying on heavy ingredients. Everything comes together in one pan, so cleanup’s minimal.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Chicken Mince Pasta
Chicken Goulash
This one-pot goulash is hearty without being heavy, thanks to the use of ground chicken. It comes together in about 30 minutes and uses pantry staples, so you’re not chasing ingredients. It’s a practical dinner when you want something that feels complete without extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Goulash
Sweet Chili Meatballs
These meatballs are baked until crisp and then coated in a sticky sweet chili sauce that packs a punch. Ground chicken holds the flavor well and stays juicy. This recipe works just as well for a quick dinner as it does for a party snack.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Chili Meatballs
Spicy Meatballs
Baked meatballs made with ground chicken, honey, and sriracha hit the right balance between heat and sweetness. They’re fast to prep and cook in under 30 minutes. They also reheat well, so you can double the batch and make life easier later in the week.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Meatballs
Sheet Pan Chicken Nachos with Ground Chicken
These nachos are a solid way to use ground chicken without falling back on tacos. Tossed with spices and layered over chips, they bake all at once in the oven. They’re a great last-minute dinner or easy crowd-pleaser when you need something fast and filling.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken Nachos with Ground Chicken
Mini Chicken Meatloaves with Pineapple BBQ Sauce
These mini loaves cook quicker than a full-size version and freeze well for later. The pineapple in the BBQ sauce adds a sharp contrast to the savory chicken. If you like meal prepping but hate eating the same thing all week, this one gives you some flexibility.
Get the Recipe: Mini Chicken Meatloaves with Pineapple BBQ Sauce
Chicken Marsala Meatballs
All the flavor of classic chicken marsala packed into meatballs you can serve with mashed potatoes, pasta, or on their own. It’s a smart way to use ground chicken when you want something a little more polished without getting complicated.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Marsala Meatballs
Chicken Ricotta Meatballs
Ricotta keeps these meatballs soft and tender without needing breadcrumbs or heavy binders. They bake quickly and have a light texture that still holds up in sauce. You can use them in a bunch of different meals throughout the week.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Ricotta Meatballs
Costco Chicken Meatballs
These homemade meatballs are simple and versatile. The garlic, basil, and parmesan give them enough flavor to stand on their own, but they also work in wraps, with pasta, or in a bowl with grains and veggies. They freeze well too, so you can make a double batch and save some for later.
Get the Recipe: Costco Chicken Meatballs
Creamy Chicken Meatballs & Mushrooms
This dish is a full dinner built around chicken meatballs in a creamy mushroom sauce. It’s comforting without being heavy and comes together fast enough for a weeknight. Serve it over rice, noodles, or anything that will soak up the sauce.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken Meatballs & Mushrooms
Ramen Noodle Stir Fry
This is a simple stir fry that makes ramen feel like a real dinner. Add your favorite vegetables and ground chicken, toss with a quick sauce, and it’s ready in minutes. It’s great for using up random fridge items and getting dinner on the table fast.
Get the Recipe: Ramen Noodle Stir Fry
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
