Often times I find myself with a pound or two of ground chicken and I’m not sure how to use it. Ground Chicken Pasta Skillet to the rescue! This is such an easy meal to make and one the whole family will love. We love to have it for leftovers the next day, too!
Ingredients for Pasta with Ground Chicken
- Ground Chicken: I like to use Isernio’s brand. This is not sponsored- I just like the flavor best. They use a mixture of chicken thighs and chicken breasts in their ground chicken and it makes such a difference. The little bit of added fat from the thighs keeps it from being too dry.
- Pasta: Any shape will do. I have also made this with mini ravioli and tortellini and it is also very delicious. Orzo would be great as well.
- Diced onion: I use white, you can use whatever kind of onion you prefer. You can leave it out if you are not a fan.
- Marinara Sauce: My favorite brand is Rao’s. Ina Garten has used it for ages so you know it is good! You can find it at Costco or your local grocery store.
- Parmesan Cheese: Fresh grated always tastes best.
- Fresh Basil: I love garnishing any red pasta dish with fresh basil, it gives it such a fresh flavor!
Sauté Ground Chicken & Cook Pasta
- During this step, I like to boil my pasta at the same time.
- Once the ground chicken is about halfway cooked, add the diced onion, and continue to cook. The heat should be on medium high. This will help give the chicken and onion a little bit of brown, resulting in higher flavor.
- Add the marinara sauce, and turn the heat to low.
- Drain the pasta, and add it right to the skillet.
- Stir, and dinner is done!
I like to finish off this chicken pasta dinner with some good parmesan cheese and some freshly chopped basil. Serve it with a side salad, and enjoy! It’s that easy!
If you want to customize this pasta skillet, here are a few ways to change it up.
- Add vegetables: Mushrooms, zucchini, or bell pepper would be delicious. Add them during the step where you add the onions.
- Use different pasta: Spaghetti, orzo, farfalle, angel hair, or elbow pasta would be great.
- Add different types of cheese: Fresh mozzarella, dollops of ricotta or even feta cheese are delicious.
- Try it with a different sauce! Our 5 minute Alfredo is so easy. Pesto would be another option, Costco’s Kirkland brand is our favorite.
If you like this pasta dinner, here are a few more we think you will enjoy:
- Taco Pasta
- 5 Minute Alfredo Sauce
- Best Slow Cooker Lasagna
- One Pan Meatballs and Pasta
- Roasted Butternut Squash with Penne and garlic
Cheers to easy and delicious weeknight meals! – Kathi and Rachel
Ground Chicken Pasta Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 12 oz cooked pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp granulated garlic
- 24 oz marinara sauce (we use Rao's brand)
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
- 1 handful fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium sized skillet on medium high heat, add olive oil and ground chicken, salt, pepper and granulated garlic. Sautee for 3-4 minutes, then add diced onion to pan. Cook together until chicken is fully cooked, breaking apart chicken into pieces with a spatula. Reduce heat to low.
- Add pasta and marinara sauce. Stir until combined. Remove from heat once warm throughout.
- Top with parmesan cheese and fresh basil. Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
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Melissa Mahan says
I like penne or angel hair. And i add some spice as well. Also i think a dollop of cream cheese is yummy and asparagus with red bell pepper is delicious.
Azure Noir says
Quick and easy and very good! Since my favorite brand of pasta only has rotini in a 16 ounce box (and I completely forgot this before I dumped it into the water *of course*), mine came out a bit heavy on the pasta side — enough to where everyone said, “It’s good, but I expected there to be a little more substance besides pasta.’ Still, good is good and they all cleaned their plates, so. 🙂
I think in the future, I’d add another pound of ground chicken and maybe mushrooms, go for the 32-ounce jar of Rao’s and possibly some minced garlic and more onion. Thank you for the tip on Rao’s – I’d never tried it or, in fact, marinara sauce before, and it was a very nice twist on the usual spaghetti sauce, not to mention very well made.
Michael Nash says
Quick & easy & tasty recipe! Thx