Description
This Homemade Chicken Bolognese is a lighter twist on the classic Italian comfort dish, featuring lean ground chicken simmered in a rich tomato sauce with aromatic vegetables and herbs. Perfectly balanced with fresh basil and Italian seasoning, this recipe provides a hearty and healthy meal option that’s quick to prepare and deeply satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound Ground Chicken (Use high-quality ground chicken for best results.)
- 1 medium Onion (Finely chopped.)
- 3 cloves Garlic (Minced.)
- 1 medium Carrot (Finely diced.)
- 1 stalk Celery (Finely chopped.)
Tomato Ingredients and Seasonings
- 28 ounces Canned Crushed Tomatoes (Essential for the sauce.)
- 2 tablespoons Tomato Paste (Deepens the tomato flavor.)
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning (Or a blend of dried basil, oregano, and thyme.)
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (Extra virgin for sautéing.)
- Salt, to taste (Enhances flavors.)
- Pepper, to taste (Enhances flavors.)
Garnish
- 1 handful Fresh Basil (Chopped, for garnish.)
Instructions
- Gather Ingredients: Assemble all ingredients to ensure a smooth and efficient cooking process without interruptions.
- Sauté Onions: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion and sauté for 3–4 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, making sure to stir frequently to prevent burning.
- Cook Vegetables: Add the diced carrots and chopped celery to the skillet. Continue cooking for 5–7 minutes until the vegetables are softened but not mushy.
- Brown Ground Chicken: Crumble the ground chicken into the skillet and cook for 6–8 minutes until it loses its pink color and is fully cooked through, stirring occasionally to break apart clumps.
- Incorporate Tomato Paste: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2–3 minutes to intensify the tomato flavor and slightly caramelize the paste.
- Add Crushed Tomatoes: Pour in the canned crushed tomatoes and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat.
- Season Sauce: Sprinkle in Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper according to your taste preferences. Stir well to combine.
- Simmer Sauce: Lower the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, to deepen flavors and thicken the sauce.
- Add Fresh Basil: Just before serving, stir in the chopped fresh basil to add a burst of fresh herbal aroma and flavor.
- Serve: Serve the chicken Bolognese hot over your choice of pasta, creamy polenta, or as a filling in lasagna or stuffed vegetables for a comforting meal.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, add a splash of white wine when adding the crushed tomatoes and let it reduce slightly before simmering.
- You can substitute ground turkey or lean beef if preferred, adjusting cooking times accordingly.
- Simmering longer than 30 minutes will develop deeper flavors; you can simmer up to an hour on low heat.
- This sauce freezes well; cool completely before transferring to airtight containers.
- Serve with grated Parmesan and a side of crusty bread for a complete Italian-inspired meal.
