Homemade Spaghetti Sauce with Ground Chicken
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Making a homemade spaghetti sauce with ground chicken combines the best of taste and health. Not only is this sauce burning with flavor from San Marzano Tomatoes but opting for chicken over beef results in a sauce packed with protein and fewer calories.
Choosing Your Ingredients
Making a great sauce is not as difficult as it may seem, it often comes down to the choice of ingredients. Choosing the right ingredients can elevate the taste of any dish. Enter San Marzano Tomatoes, known for their exceptional flavor and texture.
San Marzano Tomatoes are native to Italy and are grown in a unique Mediterranean climate with nutrient-rich volcanic soil. This climate produces a balanced sweetness and acidity. Their lower water content creates a thicker sauce with concentrated flavors. These tomatoes have fewer seeds and less bitterness, making them ideal for creating a smooth and luscious sauce.
Traditionally, a spaghetti meat sauce is made with ground beef. We’ve opted for ground chicken as a healthier alternative. Ground chicken is leaner than ground beef, resulting in a sauce with fewer calories. Protein-packed ground chicken is great for those following a high-protein diet and looking for less saturated fat, promoting a healthier heart.
How to make Homemade Spaghetti Sauce with Ground Chicken
Sauté fresh garlic in olive oil: Start with a cold saucepan and add the olive oil. I like to add the minced garlic to the cold pan and then turn up the heat to medium-low. This gives it time to soften the minced garlic and infuse the oil with its flavors. If you have fresh basil add a few whole leaves to the oil also. Just remove and toss the leaves before adding the tomatoes.
Puree the tomatoes: Add both cans of tomatoes to a blender and process the tomatoes on low until you reach a thin, smooth consistency. If you prefer a chunkier sauce, which I sometimes do, just don’t blend very long or you can even roughly chop the tomatoes. Add the tomatoes directly to the olive oil and garlic.
Season the sauce: Next, add in your dried herbs, Italian seasoning, dried basil, and crushed red pepper.
You can make a delicious spaghetti sauce with dried herbs and I typically do it just for the convenience factor. If you have fresh herbs such as basil or oregano, by all means, use them. Although, wait to add the fresh herbs until the sauce is almost done. This will give your sauce a nice fresh flavor and prevent any bitter flavor.
Simmer: Add in the browned chicken and stir to combine. Cover and simmer for about 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, you should have a rich, flavorful sauce.
Serve: Serve over your favorite spaghetti or pasta and top with fresh grated Parmesan cheese.
This sauce also makes for a great base to add to other dishes such as lasagna, baked ziti, chicken parmesan, and more.
Tips for Storing Leftovers & Freezing
Refrigerate: Let the sauce cool to room temperature then store it in an airtight container or glass jar. Refrigerate for 3-4 days.
How to freeze: Let the sauce cool to room temperature then store it in an airtight container. I like to freeze them in ziplock freezer bags and lay them flat to save on freezer space. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Homemade Spaghetti Sauce with Ground Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves fresh garlic minced
- 2 28 oz can whole peeled San Marzano tomatoes
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp dried basil
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes adjust to taste
- salt to taste
- Cooked spaghetti or your favorite pasta
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium-low heat. Add minced garlic and let it slowly cook, stirring occasionally, until it softens and infuses the oil with its flavor. Be careful not to let the garlic brown or burn.
- Meanwhile, brown the ground chicken in a separate skillet over medium-high heat. Once it's cooked through, set it aside.
- While the garlic is cooking, place the San Marzano tomatoes in a blender and puree them until smooth.
- Pour the pureed tomatoes into the saucepan with the softened garlic and infused oil. Stir to combine.
- Add the Italian seasoning, dried basil, and crushed red pepper flakes to the saucepan. Stir well to incorporate the spices into the sauce.
- Now, add the browned ground chicken to the sauce and stir to combine.
- Increase the heat to medium-high, bringing the sauce to a boil. Once it starts boiling reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently.
- Cover the saucepan and let it simmer for about 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together and the sauce to thicken slightly. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Taste the sauce and season with salt according to your preference.
- After 30 minutes, the homemade spaghetti sauce with ground chicken should be rich, flavorful, and ready to serve.
- Cook your favorite spaghetti or past according to package instructions. serve sauce over the cooked pasta, and enjoy your delicious homemade spaghetti with ground chicken sauce!
