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Ground Chicken Picadillo

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Chicken Picadillo is a quick and healthy ground chicken recipe that everyone loves! Make a double batch of this easy picadillo and freeze half for next week.

Originally Posted: January 17th, 2016  |  Updated: March 5th, 2019

cooked chicken picadillo in a green bowl in front of a white bowl of cauliflower rice

What is Picadillo?

Picadillo is a hash-like ground meat based dish that is often served alongside rice. It’s a traditional dish in many Latin American countries and also in the Phillippines, each with their own twist and variation of ingredients.

I’ve had Cuban Picadillo, Mexican Picadillo, and even a vegetarian Picadillo in Costa Rica, all different. Some with potatoes, some with raisins, and even some with carrots!

When it comes to ground meat recipes for Picadillo, the most common ground meat that is used is ground beef and then after that, chorizo.

To lighten this up, I used ground chicken thigh meat. You could use ground chicken breast but may need to add more fat as ground white meat chicken tends to be drier and less flavorful.

What do you serve Picadillo with?

Picadillo recipes are often served with white or brown rice. Depending on the region, the Picadillo Recipe could be served with plantains, beans or even tortillas.

If you want to keep this low carb or grain free, you can serve it with cauliflower rice!

My older son loved this so much, he happily declared, “I could eat this every day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and be happy!”

If that isn’t high praise, what is?!

cooked chicken picadillo in a green bowl in front of a white bowl of cauliflower rice

Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below!

Ground Chicken Picadillo
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 35 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
 

Chicken Picadillo is a quick and healthy ground chicken recipe that everyone loves! Make a double batch of this easy picadillo and freeze half for next week.

Course: Mains
Cuisine: Latin, Mediterranean
Keyword: easy mayonnaise, ground chicken recipes, healthy dinner, low carb soup, picadillo
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 247 kcal
Author: Alyssa Brantley
4.89 from 36 votes
cooked chicken picadillo in a green bowl in front of a white bowl of cauliflower rice
Print
Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 medium cloves garlic finely chopped
  • 1 medium yellow onion finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
  • 1 medium red bell pepper finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
  • 1.5 pounds ground chicken thighs
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 cup canned, no-salt diced tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup pimento stuffed olives sliced
  • 2 tablespoons olive brine
  • 2 tablespoons water (or 1/4 cup dry white wine)
  • 1 tablespoon raisins
  • 1 handful chopped cilantro for garnish
Instructions
To Prepare:

  1. Peel and finely chop garlic and onion. 

    Remove core and seeds from bell pepper and finely chop. 

    Mix spices in small dish. 

    Slice olives and measure raisins, diced tomatoes, tomato paste and olive brine plus water.

    wood cutting board with choped onion, bell pepper, olives and spices for picadillo recipe
To Cook:

  1. Heat a large skillet (12 to 14") over medium heat. Once hot, add olive oil and then garlic, onion and bell pepper.

    large frying pan with oil, chopped garlic, onion and red pepper

  2. Saute 6 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently, until onions are beginning to turn translucent.

    Add ground chicken and raise heat to medium-high. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to break into pieces as it cooks. Continue cooking, about 4 to 6 minutes, until chicken is browned and most of the pink is gone.

    sauteeing ground chicken in a frying pan with finely chopped veggies for picadillo

  3. Toss in spices. Cook, stirring until well mixed, for about 1 minute, until spices are fragrant.

    Add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, sliced olives, olive juice and water (or wine) and raisins. Toss to mix and reduce heat to medium.

    adding spices, olives and tomatoes to chicken and veggies for picadillo

  4. Simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

    When the Picadillo is done, the sauce should have reduced so that when you scrape the bottom of the pan with your spatula, you don't see liquid pooling.

    Stir in chopped cilantro and serve over cauliflower rice or steamed white rice. Enjoy!

    large frying pan with cooked ground chicken picadillo
Nutrition Facts
Ground Chicken Picadillo
Amount Per Serving (0.15 finished dish)
Calories 247 Calories from Fat 135
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 15g 23%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Cholesterol 97mg 32%
Sodium 960mg 40%
Potassium 808mg 23%
Total Carbohydrates 8g 3%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Sugars 3g
Protein 21g 42%
Vitamin A 19.3%
Vitamin C 38.6%
Calcium 3.6%
Iron 11.1%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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cooked chicken picadillo in a green bowl in front of a white bowl of cauliflower rice

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Vicki says

    March 29, 2019 at 11:27 pm

    Thanks for a delicious dish. I made the recipe with ground turkey. We had it with cauliflower rice and a cranberry kale salad. Outstanding meal to share with a family friend.

    Reply

  11. Blanca says

    July 7, 2016 at 6:16 pm

    Amazing! Delicious! I grew up eating picadillo, always traditionally with ground beef, and this is honestly some of the best I’ve had. This was my first time ever using ground chicken and I’m hooked. This is also my first time making one of your recipes and am now looking for more. Thank You for this amazing dish!

    Reply

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