A cozy, high-protein chicken bolognese that's hearty, flavorful, and secretly veggie-packed. Made with browned ground chicken, carrots, and my go-to secret - mushrooms - for that classic "meaty" taste, it's a healthy pasta sauce that feels indulgent but comes together in under an hour.
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- ✅ Recipe Name: Best Chicken Bolognese Recipe (Easy & High-Protein)
- 🕒 Ready In: 50 - 60 minutes
- 👪 Serves: 6 (6 cups of sauce)
- 🍽 Calories: ~200 calories per 1 cup of sauce
- 💪 Protein: 17 grams per 1 cup of sauce
- 🥣 Main Ingredients: Ground chicken, carrots, mushrooms, tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, basil
- 📖 Dietary Info: Gluten-free (with GF pasta), high-protein, dairy-optional, healthy comfort food
- ⭐ Why You'll Love It: Rich and flavorful like traditional bolognese but lighter, veggie-packed, and perfect for spaghetti night.
SUMMARIZE & SAVE THIS CONTENT ON
I've made this chicken bolognese more times than I can count - it's my kind of healthy comfort food. The sauce is rich and cozy but still light enough for a weeknight, packed with lean protein, real veggies, and a little secret: finely chopped mushrooms. They add that "meaty" flavor and slow-cooked richness - without adding cream or wine. I love that it tastes like it simmered all day, even though it comes together in under an hour.
If you're into cozy, high-protein dinners like this, try my Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan, Healthy One-Pot Lasagna Soup, or Healthy Alfredo Sauce. Each one is wholesome, balanced, and proof that eating well doesn't have to be boring.
I make this recipe at least once a week - it's that go-to dinner that feels indulgent but still fuels me after long training days. Plus, it's just as cozy served over Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash for a lighter twist! I hope you love it as much as I do!
Jump to:
- A Quick Look At The Recipe
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients You'll Need
- Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
- How to Make Chicken Bolognese
- Quick Video Tutorial (Step-by-Step)
- Expert Tips
- What to Serve with Chicken Bolognese
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Storage, Freezing & Meal Prepping Tips
- More Healthy Ground Chicken Recipes You'll Love
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Oh wow. I followed that recipe exactly as written, and it was absolutely amazing! The "meat and potatoes" hubby loved it, I too loved it, this will become our pasta sauce from now on! Thank you very much for that brilliant and healthy recipe 😊
- Julie
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- High-protein & hearty: Made with lean ground chicken and packed with real veggies for a lighter take on a classic comfort dish.
- It tastes "meaty" (without the beef!): Thanks to mushrooms, the sauce has that rich, hearty depth you'd expect from traditional bolognese, but it's lighter and full of real ingredients.
- Rich flavor, no cream needed: Browning the chicken and slow-simmering the sauce brings that deep, cozy flavor without heavy ingredients.
- Weeknight-friendly: Comes together in under an hour with simple, everyday ingredients you probably already have.
- Customizable: Delicious with spaghetti, pappardelle, or your favorite gluten-free pasta - and easy to make dairy-free.
- Meal prep magic: The leftovers taste even better the next day and freeze perfectly for quick, healthy dinners.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Ground chicken: Use 93% lean for the best balance of flavor and tenderness. Extra lean can dry out a bit.
- Olive oil: For sautéing the veggies and building that rich, savory base.
- Mushrooms: My secret ingredient for that "meaty" flavor and texture - they cook down beautifully, adding a rich, savory base that makes this sauce feel slow-simmered.
- Veggies: A mix of onions, carrots, and garlic adds natural sweetness, richness, and that classic Bolognese flavor.
- Tomatoes: You'll need crushed tomatoes and a little tomato paste for thickness and richness.
- Chicken broth: Helps thin the sauce while keeping it flavorful - bone broth works great too, adding extra protein and nutrition. The same trick I use in my Turkey Meatballs with Lemony Rice.
- Fresh basil & bay leaves: Add freshness and a subtle herby note.
- Butter: Just a tablespoon adds body and rounds out the acidity from the tomatoes.
- Pasta: I love this with spaghetti or pappardelle, but any type of pasta works. You can use gluten-free pasta if needed (I like brown rice noodles).
- Seasonings: Salt, pepper, and crushed red chili flakes for a hint of heat (optional, but I do love it).
Scroll to recipe card for quantities!
Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
- Use ground turkey instead of chicken: It works perfectly and gives the sauce a slightly richer flavor, just like in my healthy turkey chili recipe!
- Make it dairy-free: Skip the butter or swap it for vegan butter or olive oil - the sauce will still taste silky and full.
- Add wine for depth: Stir in ¼ cup of dry white or red wine after browning the chicken, and simmer for a few minutes before adding the tomatoes - this adds the classic Italian depth of flavor.
- Add extra veggies: Stir in finely chopped zucchini, spinach, or bell peppers for even more texture and nutrients.
- Make it creamy: Stir in a spoonful of Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, ricotta, or a splash of milk (regular or non-dairy) at the end for a creamier white chicken bolognese.
- Want it spicy? Add extra crushed red chili flakes or a pinch of cayenne for a little kick.
- Low-carb: Instead of spaghetti or pasta, try serving it over air fryer spaghetti squash for a lighter, veggie-packed twist.
Need to substitute an ingredient?
Ask AI for suggestions on how to substitute the particular ingredient.
How to Make Chicken Bolognese
- Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onion, carrot, mushrooms, and garlic.
- Step 2: Sauté until the veggies are soft and golden, about 12-15 minutes - this step builds all that rich flavor.
- Step 3: Add the ground chicken and cook until it's no longer pink, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, about 5-7 minutes.
- Step 4: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken broth, basil, bay leaves, butter, salt, pepper, and chili flakes (optional).
- Step 5: Lower the heat and let the sauce simmer uncovered for 30 minutes (or up to an hour if you have time!) - it thickens and deepens beautifully.
- Step 6: Remove the bay leaves, then toss the sauce with your cooked pasta. Add a splash of pasta water if needed to loosen it up, and serve warm.
Quick Video Tutorial (Step-by-Step)
Expert Tips
- Take your time with the veggies: Don't rush the sauté - trust me! Let the onion, carrot, and mushrooms caramelize until golden; that's where all the rich, deep flavor comes from (no cream or wine needed).
- Brown the chicken well: Let it cook undisturbed for a few minutes before stirring. That little bit of browning adds amazing savory depth to the sauce.
- Don't skip the mushrooms: They're what make this lighter bolognese taste hearty and rich without any heaviness. Finely chopped mushrooms give this sauce that classic depth and "meaty" flavor.
- Simmer for flavor: The longer it simmers, the richer it gets. Thirty minutes is great for weeknights, but an hour makes it taste restaurant-worthy. I love prepping this on a slow afternoon and letting it bubble away.
- Make extra for later: This sauce freezes beautifully and tastes even better the next day once the flavors have had time to meld.
What to Serve with Chicken Bolognese
This cozy chicken bolognese is hearty enough on its own, but a few simple sides make it feel like the ultimate comfort meal:
- Garlic bread or baguette: Always a must for soaking up that rich, tomatoey sauce. Try my Air Fryer Garlic Bread for a quick, lighter option.
- A fresh green salad: A crisp salad with arugula, spinach, or romaine tossed in lemon juice, olive oil, and a sprinkle of parmesan keeps things light and balanced. I also love my Kale Crunch Salad!
- Roasted veggies: Air Fryer Broccolini, Balsamic Maple Brussels Sprouts, or Air Fryer Broccoli and Cauliflower make a great, healthy side.
- Pasta alternatives: Use chickpea pasta to make this meal extra high in protein, or make it low-carb with my Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash or zucchini noodles.
- A sprinkle of cheese: Freshly grated parmesan or pecorino adds that final salty finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! This sauce actually tastes even better the next day once the flavors have had time to meld. Just store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, then reheat it on the stove with a splash of broth or water.
Yes! A splash (about ¼ cup) of dry white or red wine adds extra depth and richness. Let it cook down before adding the tomatoes to balance the acidity.
Yes, just let the sauce cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container. It'll keep well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating on the stove.
Spaghetti is a classic and works wonderfully with the sauce thickness here. But don't feel limited: pappardelle, rigatoni, penne, or even zucchini noodles or chickpea pasta are all excellent choices - adapt based on your dietary preference or pantry stock.
Yes! Simply skip the tablespoon of butter or replace it with vegan butter or olive oil. The sauce is still super rich and cozy.
Storage, Freezing & Meal Prepping Tips
- Storing: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The flavor actually gets better as it sits!
- Freezing: Let the sauce cool completely, then store it (without pasta) in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat on the stove with a splash of broth or water.
- Meal prep: This recipe is perfect for make-ahead lunches or dinners. Portion the sauce into single servings and store separately from the pasta so it stays fresh and saucy all week.
More Healthy Ground Chicken Recipes You'll Love
If you loved this easy chicken bolognese, here are a few more recipes to try next:
Did you make this recipe?
If you make this recipe, be sure to comment and rate it down below. Also, don't forget to tag me @healthfulblondie on Instagram and use the hashtag #healthfulblondie so I can see your delicious creation and share it with my followers!
📖 Recipe
Best Chicken Bolognese Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken, 93% lean is best
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 large carrot, finely diced (about 1 cup)
- 8 oz baby bella or cremini mushrooms, finely diced (about 1 cup)
- 4 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt, more to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 3 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth, or bone broth
- 3 tablespoon fresh basil, finely chopped
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 16 oz pasta of choice, (I like fettuccine or pappardelle), brown rice, quinoa, lentil, chickpea, gluten-free if needed
Instructions
- Sauté the veggies: Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion, carrot, mushrooms, and garlic. Cook, stirring often, until the veggies are soft and golden brown, about 12-15 minutes.
- Brown the chicken: Add the ground chicken to the pot and break it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.
- Simmer the sauce: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken broth, basil, bay leaves, butter, salt, pepper, and (1 - 2 teaspoon of chili flakes if you want this to be spicy). Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for at least 30 minutes (or up to 1 hour for a deeper flavor), stirring occasionally.
- Cook the pasta: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain, reserving ¼-½ cup of pasta water.
- Combine & serve: Remove bay leaves from the sauce. Add cooked pasta to the pot and toss to coat, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
- Garnish: Top with fresh basil and grated Parmesan. Serve warm and enjoy!
Julie says
Oh wow. I followed that recipe exactly as written and it was absolutely amazing! The "meat and potatoes" hubby loved it, I too Loved it, this will become our pasta sauce from now on! Thank you very much for that brilliant and healthy recipe 😊
Christine Allen says
so easy to make and tasty!
Danni says
So easy to make and my family loved this recipe! We served with angel hair pasta and added some extra basil.
Jilly says
Fantastic recipe. Easy and really tasty.