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
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?!
Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below!
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.
- 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
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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.
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Heat a large skillet (12 to 14") over medium heat. Once hot, add olive oil and then garlic, onion and bell pepper.
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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.
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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.
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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!
Did you make this recipe? Tag @EverydayMaven on Instagram with the hashtag #EveryDayMaven and please give a star rating below.
We really enjoy this dish. It makes a repeat appearance about once a month in our meal planning. Easy to make and no exotic hard-to-find ingredients. My only downside is that I can only get ground chicken in 1# packages…not really a problem. Thanks for accommodating my dietary limitations with such delicious options!
Hi Susan! That makes me so happy! My kids also request this at least 1x month. In fact, our older son just made it himself for all of us 2 weeks ago!!
how many cups/ounces would you say the .15 serving size is?
Hey Imelda – about 1/2 (heaping) cup.
Very delicious! It was my first time trying it and I was googling “cooking with ground chicken” and this popped up and I’m so glad I checked it out. The recipe was so easy to follow. Quick, easy and tasty meal! Definitely saving this recipe, thank you!
Yay Katie! Thanks for taking the time to let me know 🙂
Everyone in my family really enjoyed. I omitted the olives and raisins. I will definitely make again.
So happy to hear everyone loved it with the changes Maria!
My family was so impressed with this!
Hey Willie – that is the best feeling!
Very authentic Latin flavor with less calories. Loved it!
Awesome Debora!!!
My family loved this! Thanks for the recipe!
So happy to hear it Dara!!
I love this lightened up version with chicken, so delicious!
Thanks! So glad you liked it!
Had never had this before but my family loved it! The olives add so much flavor!
So happy to hear that everyone loved it Rebecca!
Cannot wait to have this again over a big bowl of quinoa! Thanks for the recipe!
Awesome Jenn!
I’m always looking for ways to use ground chicken and this recipe is a winner for sure!!
So happy to hear it Renee!
Mi husband love it, thank you dear
Perfect Vivi! Thanks for letting me know 🙂
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.
Hi Vicki! That sounds like a perfect dinner!
Super tasty and perfect for low carb diet followers like myself. I eat this by the spoonful!
I am the same way! I am always sneaking tastes out of the pan 😉
I think I want to put this tacos, burritos and salads! So yummy!
So many possibilities!
This has the same ingredients as in my empanada filling, I just chop everything finely. I’m sure you are right; it would be great in tortillas too.
What a delicious recipe! Thank you so much for such a wonderful and tasty recipe!
We have a 5 & 7 year old and all four of us enjoyed it! We had a peaceful dinner, thank you Alyssa!!
Fantastic Renee!!
You are so welcome!
This is amazing! I don’t know there are different kind of picadillo and this ground chicken version sounds so comforting.
It really is!
This recipe is the perfect excuse to introduce my girls to new ingredients! Yum!
My kids LOVE this Kelly! I hope yours do as well 🙂
I had some ground chicken in the freezer and this was a delicious new recipe to try!!
Yay!! So happy to hear this Liz!
Thank you. We loved thus recipe!!!
Yay! So great to hear Elise!
This was absolutely delicious! Will make a double batch next time!
Love hearing that!! Thank you 🙂
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!
Wow Blanca – that is an amazing complement! Thank you so much and I’m glad you are here 🙂