Ground Chicken Makes These Classic Dinner Recipes Healthier and Cheaper

Mexican Chicken Meatball Soup (Sopa de Albondigas de Pollo)
Mexican Chicken Meatball Soup (Sopa de Albondigas de Pollo). Photo: Allrecipes

If you're looking to cut back on red meat, or just want to eat a bit healthier, then you need to add lean ground chicken to your shopping list. It makes easy, fast, and low-cost meals that are perfect when you have a hungry family to feed. You can still have your old favorites like meatloaf, chili, and burgers, but relish the fact that they're a little healthier and cheaper made with ground chicken. Here are some easy recipes to get you started.

01 of 15

Chicken Cheddar and Guacamole Burgers

Chicken Cheddar and Guacamole Burgers
Photo by Terry E.

These spicy chicken burgers are a healthier, tastier, and cheaper alternative to regular beef burgers. The cilantro, lime, and guacamole add a delicious Mexican flavor. "Looks and tastes great," says kemosuave. "With the price of beef nowadays, I needed a healthier and a little cheaper way to get my burger fix. You could use ground turkey instead of chicken, I would think. And toasting the buns adds another layer of flavor."

02 of 15

Spicy Chicken Enchiladas

Spicy Chicken Enchiladas
Spicy Chicken Enchiladas. Louie

These chicken enchiladas are ready in about 40 minutes. They feature ground chicken with a package of dry rice and chicken sauce mix with broccoli, onion, garlic, jalapeno, diced tomatoes with green chile peppers, enchilada sauce, and Cheddar cheese. "These were great chicken enchiladas," says
LYKA88. "They are spicy just as the name suggests, so I suggest omitting the jalapeno or substitute a poblano or some other mild pepper if you don't like spicy."

03 of 15

Tangy Apple Chicken Loaf

Tangy Apple Chicken Loaf
Photo by Allrecipes Magazine.

This tangy chicken meatloaf is a really family winner. According to Jessica Warder Ellis, "It tasted like a chicken dinner with all the fixin's -- all in one loaf! ... The kids loved it."

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Larb - Laotian Chicken Mince

Larb - Laotian Chicken Mince
Photo by Buckwheat Queen.

This recipe uses chicken thighs ground up in the food processor, but to save yourself some time, you can use packaged ground chicken. This dish is full of fresh herbs, and eastern spices, and makes for a really light and delicious dinner in a lettuce wrap.

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Chicken and Chorizo Chili

Chicken and Chorizo Chili in white bowl with sour cream on top
Linda T

This scrumptious chili is rich with chicken, beans, beer, and chorizo sausage. Serve with some sour cream and tortilla chips, and you have a very satisfying family meal. "This is easy to prepare. Kind of hard to go wrong," says John Humphrey. "It tastes really good. In order to accommodate the taste buds of a five year old I did 'kick it down' just a tad by using only 3tbl chili powder. Like a lot of similar dishes, this one tastes a little better on the second day."

06 of 15

Bill's Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joes

Bill's Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joes
Photo by Soup Lovin Nicole.

Buffalo chicken Sloppy Joes served with warm, buttery, biscuits taste divine, especially with blue cheese dressing on the side.

07 of 15

Super Easy Polish Cabbage Rolls

Super Easy Polish Cabbage Rolls
Super Easy Polish Cabbage Rolls. ifarmthings

A simplified version of cabbage rolls, this recipe does it with ground chicken. "This is a very easy way to make cabbage rolls," says JRebel. "They taste great with little work involved. I'm Polish and love them, but this recipe sure beats the lengthy one my dad used."

08 of 15

Cheesy Chicken Meatballs

Cheesy Chicken Meatballs
Photo by KGora.

You won't miss the red meat, when you taste these cheesy, chicken meatballs. Serve with some pasta to make it a full dinner. "I have abandoned fatty ground beef in favor of healthier options such as ground chicken and turkey," says Raquel Teixeira. "I can ensure with the perfect additions, these will not be bland nor dry--you will not be missing the beef here."

09 of 15

Quinoa Chicken

Quinoa Chicken
Photo by LilSnoo.

This one-dish dinner combines chicken, quinoa, and a can of tomatoes. It's simple to make, and and even easier to clean-up afterwards. "This is incredibly easy, delicious and spicy!" says StephR0131. "Taste-test approved by a very picky 3-year-old."

10 of 15

Chef John's Chicken Satay Burger

Chicken Satay Burger
Photo by Chef John.

Chef John's Satay burger is far from ordinary. Ground chicken is flavored with coconut milk, spices, garlic, soy sauce, chopped basil, and chili paste. And instead of peanut dipping sauce, you'll see how to make a spicy peanut spread for the burger buns. Watch the video, and see how easy it is to make them.

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Chicken Meatballs and Spaghetti

Chicken Meatballs and Spaghetti
Chicken Meatballs and Spaghetti. Mina

Chicken meatballs simmer in a homemade tomato sauce and served with spaghetti. "Chicken meatballs and spaghetti is a great alternative to beef or pork," says Kimberly Anne Thomas. "Now, I love beef and pork, but I wanted to give my family something different. This is a recipe for a family of five, plus a little extra for leftovers."

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Ground Chicken Burgers

Ground Chicken Burgers
Ground Chicken Burgers. France C

"Delicious alternative to beef, these flavorful burgers made with ground chicken, Parmesan cheese, and garlic will keep you grilling from spring to fall," says Katy B. "Top with a spicy cheese or BBQ sauce."

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Mexican Chicken Tortilla Lasagna

Mexican Chicken Tortilla Lasagna
Mexican Chicken Tortilla Lasagna. thedailygourmet

Here's a fusion casserole featuring ground chicken, corn tortillas, taco seasoning, enchilada sauce, and Cheddar cheese. Jenn Green rates it 5 stars: "It was wonderful! Kids loved it!"

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Chicken Cheese Steak

Chicken Cheese Steak
Chicken Cheese Steak. Linda T

These tasty chicken cheese steak sandwiches require just a handful of ingredients and are a quick-and-easy option for family-friendly dinners. "This recipe is a life saver when I came home from work exhausted," says Anya. "It is very easy to make and everyone is happy."

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Mexican Chicken Meatball Soup (Sopa de Albondigas de Pollo)

Mexican Chicken Meatball Soup (Sopa de Albondigas de Pollo)
Mexican Chicken Meatball Soup (Sopa de Albondigas de Pollo). Allrecipes

Ground chicken meatballs are simmered in chicken broth with zucchini, carrots, and chayote squash. "A delicious soup recipe. ," says gem. I like to serve it with fresh spinach, chopped avocado, lemon juice, and chipotle chile."

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