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You are here: Home / Family Friendly / One Pot Meals / Ground Chicken Picadillo

Published March 5, 2019. By Alyssa Brantley 149 Comments

Ground Chicken Picadillo

  • Dairy free
  • Gluten free
  • Low carb
  • Nut free
  • Paleo
  • Whole 30
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green serving bowl with ground chicken picadillo topped with chopped cilantro

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
5 from 46 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*
Fat 15g23%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Cholesterol 97mg32%
Sodium 960mg42%
Potassium 808mg23%
Carbohydrates 8g3%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 21g42%
Vitamin A 965IU19%
Vitamin C 31.8mg39%
Calcium 36mg4%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Did you make this recipe? Tag @EverydayMaven on Instagram with the hashtag #EveryDayMaven and please give a star rating below.

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

Filed Under: By Diet, By Occasion, Course, Dairy Free, Date Night, Egg Free, Fall, Family Friendly, Freezer Meals, Gluten Free, Grain Free, Kid Friendly, Low Carb, Mains, Nut Free, One Pot Meals, Paleo, Potluck + Picnic, Poultry, Primal, Proteins, Season, Spring, Summer, Whole30, Winter

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Susan says

    December 6, 2019 at 3:33 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Alyssa Brantley says

      December 6, 2019 at 4:29 pm

      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!!

      Reply
  2. Imelda says

    August 24, 2019 at 12:23 am

    how many cups/ounces would you say the .15 serving size is?

    Reply
    • Alyssa Brantley says

      September 23, 2019 at 1:40 pm

      Hey Imelda – about 1/2 (heaping) cup.

      Reply
  3. Katie says

    August 15, 2019 at 4:56 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Alyssa Brantley says

      August 21, 2019 at 8:23 am

      Yay Katie! Thanks for taking the time to let me know 🙂

      Reply
  4. Maria says

    August 11, 2019 at 8:01 pm

    Everyone in my family really enjoyed. I omitted the olives and raisins. I will definitely make again.

    Reply
    • Alyssa Brantley says

      August 21, 2019 at 8:22 am

      So happy to hear everyone loved it with the changes Maria!

      Reply
  5. Willie says

    July 21, 2019 at 11:57 pm

    My family was so impressed with this!

    Reply
    • Alyssa Brantley says

      July 22, 2019 at 9:41 am

      Hey Willie – that is the best feeling!

      Reply
      • Debora Libby says

        July 27, 2019 at 6:55 am

        Very authentic Latin flavor with less calories. Loved it!

        Reply
        • Alyssa Brantley says

          August 2, 2019 at 9:11 am

          Awesome Debora!!!

          Reply
  6. Dara Michalski says

    July 20, 2019 at 11:32 pm

    My family loved this! Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
    • Alyssa Brantley says

      July 22, 2019 at 9:41 am

      So happy to hear it Dara!!

      Reply
  7. wilhelmina says

    July 17, 2019 at 10:32 pm

    I love this lightened up version with chicken, so delicious!

    Reply
    • Alyssa Brantley says

      July 18, 2019 at 10:44 am

      Thanks! So glad you liked it!

      Reply
  8. Rebecca Hubbell says

    July 17, 2019 at 6:41 pm

    Had never had this before but my family loved it! The olives add so much flavor!

    Reply
    • Alyssa Brantley says

      July 18, 2019 at 10:43 am

      So happy to hear that everyone loved it Rebecca!

      Reply
  9. Jenn says

    July 16, 2019 at 5:57 pm

    Cannot wait to have this again over a big bowl of quinoa! Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
    • Alyssa Brantley says

      July 18, 2019 at 10:43 am

      Awesome Jenn!

      Reply
  10. Renee Goerger says

    July 16, 2019 at 3:24 pm

    I’m always looking for ways to use ground chicken and this recipe is a winner for sure!!

    Reply
    • Alyssa Brantley says

      July 18, 2019 at 10:42 am

      So happy to hear it Renee!

      Reply
  11. Vivi says

    June 15, 2019 at 3:02 pm

    Mi husband love it, thank you dear

    Reply
    • Alyssa Brantley says

      June 17, 2019 at 9:33 am

      Perfect Vivi! Thanks for letting me know 🙂

      Reply
  12. 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
    • Alyssa Brantley says

      April 5, 2019 at 10:52 am

      Hi Vicki! That sounds like a perfect dinner!

      Reply
  13. Sandra Shaffer says

    March 9, 2019 at 2:16 pm

    Super tasty and perfect for low carb diet followers like myself. I eat this by the spoonful!

    Reply
    • EverydayMaven says

      March 14, 2019 at 11:59 am

      I am the same way! I am always sneaking tastes out of the pan 😉

      Reply
  14. Jersey girl Cooks says

    March 8, 2019 at 3:03 pm

    I think I want to put this tacos, burritos and salads! So yummy!

    Reply
    • EverydayMaven says

      March 14, 2019 at 11:58 am

      So many possibilities!

      Reply
    • Laura says

      March 31, 2020 at 6:06 pm

      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.

      Reply
  15. Terri says

    March 8, 2019 at 2:35 pm

    What a delicious recipe! Thank you so much for such a wonderful and tasty recipe!

    Reply
    • Renee Grigalunas says

      March 12, 2019 at 8:51 am

      We have a 5 & 7 year old and all four of us enjoyed it! We had a peaceful dinner, thank you Alyssa!!

      Reply
      • EverydayMaven says

        March 14, 2019 at 11:59 am

        Fantastic Renee!!

        Reply
    • EverydayMaven says

      March 14, 2019 at 11:58 am

      You are so welcome!

      Reply
  16. Linda says

    March 8, 2019 at 2:04 pm

    This is amazing! I don’t know there are different kind of picadillo and this ground chicken version sounds so comforting.

    Reply
    • EverydayMaven says

      March 14, 2019 at 11:58 am

      It really is!

      Reply
  17. Kelly says

    March 8, 2019 at 1:07 pm

    This recipe is the perfect excuse to introduce my girls to new ingredients! Yum!

    Reply
    • EverydayMaven says

      March 14, 2019 at 11:58 am

      My kids LOVE this Kelly! I hope yours do as well 🙂

      Reply
  18. Liz says

    March 6, 2019 at 3:05 pm

    I had some ground chicken in the freezer and this was a delicious new recipe to try!!

    Reply
    • EverydayMaven says

      March 14, 2019 at 11:55 am

      Yay!! So happy to hear this Liz!

      Reply
  19. Elise says

    January 1, 2019 at 6:42 pm

    Thank you. We loved thus recipe!!!

    Reply
    • EverydayMaven says

      January 2, 2019 at 11:22 am

      Yay! So great to hear Elise!

      Reply
  20. Holly says

    March 9, 2018 at 10:53 am

    This was absolutely delicious! Will make a double batch next time!

    Reply
    • EverydayMaven says

      April 25, 2018 at 1:15 pm

      Love hearing that!! Thank you 🙂

      Reply
  21. 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
    • EverydayMaven says

      July 8, 2016 at 6:57 am

      Wow Blanca – that is an amazing complement! Thank you so much and I’m glad you are here 🙂

      Reply
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