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    Home » Recipes » Dinner

    Easy Chicken Bolognese

    Published: Oct 28, 2021 · Modified: Jan 8, 2023 by Beth Sachs · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases · 5 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Easy chicken bolognese pin image for Pinterest.

    A quick and easy chicken bolognese recipe made with healthy chicken thigh mince.

    All the flavours of authentic Italian bolognese without the beef!

    A pan of chicken bolognese with spaghetti and chopped herbs.
    Chicken Bolognese

    This chicken bolognese is much lighter and healthier than traditional beef bolognese, but still incredibly tasty!

    Perfect for busy school nights or lazy weekends, this chicken bolognese recipe ticks all of the boxes when it comes to family-friendly meals!

    👩‍🍳 Love bolognese? Try my vegetarian Quorn bolognese recipe!

    Jump to:
    • ✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!
    • 🛒 Ingredients
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 💭 Top tips
    • 🍴 Serving suggestions
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🥡 Storage
    • ❓ FAQs
    • 😋More bolognese recipes
    • More dinner inspiration!
    • Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!

    • Lighter and healthier than beef bolognese.
    • Use chicken mince or leftover roast chicken.
    • Great for batch-cooking.
    • Freezer-friendly.

    🛒 Ingredients

    Ingredients for chicken bolognese.
    • Chicken Mince - available in most major supermarkets (I bought mine from Lidl).
    • Olive Oil
    • Onion - 1 medium onion, finely chopped.
    • Garlic - 3 cloves finely chopped.
    • Carrot - peeled and chopped.
    • Celery - chopped finely.
    • Bacon Lardons - I use smoked lardons for added flavour.
    • Passata - or substitute with chopped tomatoes for a chunkier texture.
    • Stock - Chicken stock from a cube or stockpot.
    • Tomato puree - adds richness to the sauce.
    • White Wine Vinegar - for flavour. If you have a bottle of white wine open you could use that instead.
    • Milk - helps to tenderise the chicken.
    • Sugar
    • Bay Leaves
    • Oregano
    • Salt and Pepper - for seasoning.
    • Parmesan and Parsley - to serve.

    🔪 Instructions

    The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post

    Step 1: Fry the onion, carrot, celery, bacon and garlic in a little olive oil for 3-4 minutes until softened.

    Step 2: Turn the heat up to high and add the chicken mince. Fry until the chicken mince has changed colour.

    How to make chicken bolognese part 1.

    Step 3: Add in the passata, stock, tomato puree, milk, white wine vinegar, bay leaves, oregano, sugar, salt and pepper.

    Step 4: Simmer for 25 minutes on a medium low heat. Serve with pasta, Parmesan and a sprinkling of chopped parsley.

    Chicken bolognese simmering.

    💭 Top tips

    • Use leftover roast chicken instead of chicken mince if you prefer. Add in the cooked leftover chicken 5 minutes from the end of cooking. You'll need around 500g of cooked chicken.

    🍴 Serving suggestions

    Serve the chicken bolognese with spaghetti, tagliatelle or penne pasta, with a good grating of Parmesan cheese!

    The bolognese is also delicious served with rice or mashed potatoes.

    I like to serve a side of green vegetables with it for added nutrition. Roasted courgettes are nice, especially in the summer, or how about roasted Tenderstem broccoli?

    📖 Variations

    • Make it spicy by adding 1 chopped red chilli to the bolognese.
    • Up the veggies and substitute 200g of the chicken mince with finely chopped mushrooms or grated courgette.
    • Make a double batch and freeze half for another day.
    • Make the chicken bolognese in your slow cooker. Cook on low for 6 hours and reduce the stock to 100ml and milk to 30ml. Just bung everything in and switch on!
    Chicken bolognese in a red pan.

    🥡 Storage

    • To Store. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
    • To Reheat. Microwave until piping hot.
    • To Freeze. Spoon the cooled bolognese into a freezer safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge before reheating in the microwave.

    ❓ FAQs

    Why do you put milk in bolognese?

    Adding milk to your bolognese helps to tenderise the meat.

    Do you simmer bolognese with a lid on or off?

    For best results simmer the chicken bolognese uncovered.

    😋More bolognese recipes

    • Turkey Bolognese
    • Lamb Bolognese
    • Chorizo Bolognese
    • Pork Bolognese
    • Slow Cooker Bolognese

    You might also like my easy chicken goulash recipe!

    More dinner inspiration!

    • Easy Macaroni Cheese Recipe
    • Slow Cooker Pork Ragu Recipe
    • Easy Slow Cooker Red Lentil Dahl Recipe
    • Easy Slow Cooker Beef Curry Recipe (No Browning)

    Tried this recipe? Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ star rating in the comments!

    Recipe

    Chicken bolognese garnished with parsley.
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    5 from 10 votes

    Easy Chicken Bolognese

    A quick and easy chicken bolognese recipe made with healthy chicken thigh mince.
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine British
    Keyword chicken bolognese
    Prep Time 8 minutes
    Cook Time 37 minutes
    Total Time 43 minutes
    Servings 4
    Calories 307kcal
    Author Beth Sachs
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Chopping Board
    • Knife
    • Measuring Jug
    • Shallow Casserole

    Ingredients

    Metric - US Customary
    • 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
    • 1 Onion peeled and finely chopped
    • 1 Carrot peeled and finely chopped
    • 1 Celery Stalk finely chopped
    • 3 Garlic Cloves peeled and finely chopped
    • 80 g Bacon Lardons
    • 500 g Chicken Mince
    • 400 ml Passata
    • 200 ml Chicken Stock
    • 60 ml Milk
    • 2 tablespoon Tomato Puree
    • 1 tablespoon White Wine Vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon Sugar
    • 2 Bay Leaves
    • 1 tablespoon Oregano
    • Salt and Pepper

    Instructions

    • Fry the onion, carrot, celery, bacon, and garlic in 1 tablespoon of olive oil for 3-4 minutes until softened.
    • Turn the heat up to high and add the chicken mince. Fry until the chicken mince has changed colour. This will take roughly 3-4 minutes.
    • Add in the passata, stock, tomato puree, milk, white wine vinegar, bay leaves, oregano, sugar, salt and pepper. Simmer for 25-30 minutes.
    • Serve with pasta, grated Parmesan and a sprinkling of chopped parsley.

    Notes

    Top Tip:
    • Use leftover roast chicken instead of chicken mince if you prefer. Add in the cooked leftover chicken 5 minutes from the end of cooking. You'll need around 500g of cooked chicken.
     
    Variations:
    • Make it spicy by adding 1 chopped red chilli to the bolognese.
    • Up the veggies and substitute 200g of the chicken mince with finely chopped mushrooms or grated courgette.
    • Make a double batch and freeze half for another day.
    • Make the chicken bolognese in your slow cooker. Cook on low for 6 hours and reduce the stock to 100ml and milk to 30ml. Just bung everything in and switch on!
     
    Storage:
    • To Store. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
    • To Reheat. Microwave until piping hot.
    • To Freeze. Spoon the cooled bolognese into a freezer safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge before reheating in the microwave.
     
    Nutrition:
    The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
     
    Nutrition Facts
    Easy Chicken Bolognese
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    307
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    15
    g
    23
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    4
    g
    25
    %
    Trans Fat
     
    1
    g
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    3
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    8
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    111
    mg
    37
    %
    Sodium
     
    197
    mg
    9
    %
    Potassium
     
    1317
    mg
    38
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    19
    g
    6
    %
    Fiber
     
    4
    g
    17
    %
    Sugar
     
    10
    g
    11
    %
    Protein
     
    26
    g
    52
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    3154
    IU
    63
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    15
    mg
    18
    %
    Calcium
     
    82
    mg
    8
    %
    Iron
     
    4
    mg
    22
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Toni

      October 28, 2021 at 2:06 pm

      5 stars
      A delicious and satisfying meal! My kids couldn't ask for more! They really loved it!

      Reply
    2. Lauren Michael Harris

      October 28, 2021 at 2:20 pm

      5 stars
      This chicken bolognese is such a great, healthy dinner. I love that it's quick enough to make during the week too!

      Reply
    3. Gina

      October 28, 2021 at 2:25 pm

      5 stars
      I've made bolognese with lentils, beef, venison and bison but never chicken! Will be trying this asap!

      Reply
    4. Natalie

      October 28, 2021 at 3:08 pm

      5 stars
      I never tried chicken bolognese. But this sounds super delicious, to be honest. And so much healthier. I'm convinced.. I'm going to give your recipe a try.

      Reply
    5. Elaine Benoit

      October 28, 2021 at 3:12 pm

      5 stars
      I'm a big fan of bolognese but have never made it with chicken. Until now. 🙂 Your recipe was so delicious and it passed the hubby test. I'll be making this again.

      Reply

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    Beth Sachs Food Blogger

    Hi, I’m Beth, a Mum of three (and one crazy dog), living in Cornwall, UK. I love creating easy, delicious and fuss-free recipes, perfect for busy families, just like my own.

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