Easy Chicken Bolognese Recipe (30-Minute Dinner)

Name: Easy Chicken Bolognese Recipe (Ready in 30 Minutes!)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 500 grams chicken mince (preferably chicken thigh mince); 2 tablespoons olive oil; 2-3 tablespoons dry red wine (or chicken broth); 2 tablespoons tomato paste (thick tomato concentrate); 1 can diced tomatoes (preferably Italian (400g / 14 oz)); 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 teaspoon raw sugar (to balance the acidity of the sauce); 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (or mixed oregano, basil, thyme); 2 bay leaves; 1 cup chicken stock; 3 tablespoons pure cream (single or double cream); Parmesan cheese rind (optional); 400 grams spaghetti or pasta of choice (fettuccine, spaghettini, or tagliatelle work well); ½ cup freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano; fresh basil or parsley leaves ( (for garnish)

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If there’s one meal my family never gets tired of, it’s a big bowl of pasta with a rich, hearty sauce. This easy Chicken Bolognese is made with chicken mince and has all the comforting flavour of a traditional Bolognese, but it’s lighter and ready in just 30 minutes. Serve it with your favourite pasta and plenty of freshly grated Parmesan for an easy family dinner.

A plate of spaghetti topped with ground chicken bolognese sauce and grated cheese, garnished with fresh basil leaves. A fork rests on the plate, and theres a pink napkin and a cheese grater with more cheese nearby.

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If you think you can’t make a rich Bolognese sauce with chicken mince, let me prove you wrong. Tomato paste, red wine, chicken stock and a Parmesan rind build plenty of depth, while a little cream added at the end gives the sauce a rich, silky finish. The result is a hearty Chicken Bolognese that tastes like it has been simmering for hours but is ready in just 30 minutes.

📝 Recipe Ingredients

An assortment of ingredients for spaghetti bolognese laid out on a white surface. Includes chicken mince, spaghetti, chicken stock, parmesan cheese and rind, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, bay leaves, cream, olive oil, spices, shallots, and basil.

Chicken mince: Opt for chicken thigh mince for a richer, juicier sauce. Chicken breast can be a bit too plain for this dish, and we want plenty of flavor.
Tomato paste: This thick tomato concentrate will add depth to the sauce and give it that beautiful rich color.
Tinned diced tomatoes: Use high-quality Italian tomatoes—they have the best flavor and make a big difference in the sauce!
Red wine: Yes, chicken and red wine might sound unusual, but trust me—it works! We’ll just need a small splash to deglaze the pan and add some complexity.
Worcestershire sauce: This brings in a bit of umami to elevate the savory flavors of the sauce.
Sugar: Just one teaspoon to help balance out the acidity of the tomatoes and round out the flavor.
Spices: We’ll be using Italian dried herbs (like oregano, basil, thyme) and bay leaves for that authentic Mediterranean flavor.
Chicken stock: This adds depth and keeps the sauce nice and rich. You can make homemade chicken stock or use a store-bought variety.
Cream: Either single or double cream works here, so go with whatever you have on hand for that creamy finish.
Parmesan cheese rind (optional): If you have a Parmesan rind lying around, throw it in! It infuses extra flavor into the sauce while it simmers.

👩‍🍳 How to Make this Delicious, Comforting Pasta Dinner

Chopped onions and garlic are sizzling in a large, round, light-colored pot on a light surface. The onions are slightly translucent, indicating they are being sautéed. The pot has two handles.

Step 1: Start by heating olive oil in a large, deep frying pan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onions and cook until they turn golden and fragrant.

A light green pot filled with cooked ground chicken meat sits on a light blue surface. The meat appears browned and steamed, with some residue visible on the sides of the pot. The handles of the pot are visible.

Step 2: Add the chicken mince to the pan, breaking it up as you cook. Let it brown slightly and continue cooking until all the liquid has evaporated.

A large pot filled with cooked ground meat, lightly browned and seasoned. The pot is light-colored with two handles, placed on a light, textured surface.

Step 3: Once the chicken is browned, splash in the red wine and let it cook on medium-high heat, stirring constantly until the wine has evaporated—this should take about 1-2 minutes.

Step 4: Add garlic powder, Italian dried herbs, and salt.

Step 5: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for about 1 minute, stirring continuously.

Step 6: Add the diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, bay leaves, chicken stock, and Parmesan rind (if using). Mix well and bring to a gentle simmer.

Step 7: Let the sauce simmer covered on very low heat for 20-30 minutes while you cook your pasta. This is the time to let those flavors really develop and come together.

A pot filled with chicken bolognese sauce consisting of ground meat and tomatoes, topped with a dollop of sour cream. A green spoon rests inside the pot, which is placed on a light-colored surface.

Step 8: Just before serving, add a splash of cream and give it a good stir to make the sauce silky and smooth.

A pan filled with homemade chicken Bolognese sauce, garnished with fresh basil leaves. In the background, there are dry spaghetti noodles, a bowl of grated cheese, and a sprig of basil. A white spoon rests in the pan.

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❄️ Storage, Freezing & Reheating

Store: Let the Chicken Bolognese cool completely, then refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freeze: Freeze the sauce without the pasta in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge.
Reheat: Reheat gently in a saucepan until piping hot, adding a splash of chicken stock or water if the sauce has become too thick.
Meal prep: The sauce is even better the next day, so you can make it ahead and simply cook fresh pasta when you’re ready to serve.

🙋‍♀️ Recipe FAQs

Can I make Chicken Bolognese ahead of time?

Yes. In fact, the sauce is even better the next day once the flavours have had time to develop. Keep it refrigerated in an airtight container and cook fresh pasta when you’re ready to serve.

Can I freeze Chicken Bolognese?

Absolutely! Let the sauce cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight and reheat on the stove with a splash of water or stock.

What can I use instead of red wine?

If you prefer to skip wine, you can use chicken stock to deglaze the pan instead.

What pasta is best with Chicken Bolognese?

Spaghetti, tagliatelle, fettuccine and spaghettini all work well. I use gluten-free pasta, but you can use your favourite pasta shape.

Can I use chicken breast mince instead of chicken thigh mince?

Yes, but I prefer chicken thigh mince because it makes a richer, juicier Bolognese. Chicken breast mince is much leaner and can result in a drier sauce.

A plate of spaghetti topped with ground chicken Bolognese sauce, garnished with shredded cheese and basil leaves. A fork is lifting a twirl of spaghetti. Text at the top reads Ground Chicken Bolognese Sauce - 30 Minute Family Dinner.

🍴 What to Cook Next

Easy Chicken Plov — another comforting, one-pot chicken dinner for busy nights.
Chicken Shawarma — an easy flavour-packed chicken dinner that’s become one of our important cluster pages.
Teriyaki Chicken Skewers — another recently strengthened weeknight chicken recipe.
Oven-Baked Bang Bang Chicken Skewers — easy, family-focused and another page we’ve just invested in.

Made this Chicken Bolognese? I’d love to hear how it went! Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and a comment below — it really helps other families find and enjoy the recipe too.

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Easy Chicken Bolognese Recipe (30-Minute Dinner)

📝 Recipe Ingredients