Chicken Bolognese with Fettuccine
A quick and delicious Chicken Bolognese served over perfectly cooked fettuccine pasta. This recipe features tender chicken simmered in a rich and savory tomato sauce balanced with fresh vegetables and herbs, making it a satisfying, family-friendly comfort meal that’s easy to prepare in under 30 minutes.
- Author: Lucas
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free (if gluten-free pasta is used)
Protein
- 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, diced into bite-sized pieces
Pasta
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium carrot, finely chopped
- 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
Tomato Base
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
Fats & Seasonings
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh Herbs & Finishing
- 1/4 cup fresh basil or parsley, chopped
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Prep Your Ingredients: Finely chop the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces for quick and even cooking.
- Sauté Aromatics and Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, carrots, and celery, cooking until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Add diced chicken and cook until browned all over, sealing in the juices.
- Add Tomatoes and Simmer: Stir in tomato paste and crushed tomatoes along with a pinch of salt and pepper. Reduce heat to low and simmer gently for 15-20 minutes to thicken the sauce and meld flavors.
- Cook the Fettuccine: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook fettuccine according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving a little pasta water for adjusting the sauce if needed.
- Combine and Serve: Toss the cooked fettuccine into the chicken bolognese sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it. Stir in fresh herbs and finish with a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh chicken breasts or thighs for a tender, juicy sauce; avoid pre-cooked or frozen chicken that can dry out.
- Simmer the sauce gently on low heat to develop deeper flavors and natural thickness.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency and help it cling to the pasta.
- Season the sauce gradually, tasting as you go to avoid over-salting.
- Add fresh herbs at the end to retain their bright flavor and color.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: Chicken Bolognese, Fettuccine, Quick Dinner, Italian, Comfort Food, Weeknight Meal