I must have made this Chicken Helper Recipe for picky eaters 100 times! It is kid-friendly, creamy, cheesy and loaded with hidden veggies.
My family absolutely loves this savory, one pot meal. Its easy-going flavors and textures are comforting and delicious. It’s one of those recipes you turn to when you’ve had a crazy day and just want something tasty but also hassle-free. It’s also easy to make a dairy free version of this – which is what I did while I was postpartum, as I followed a dairy free diet for a while to accomodate my breastfed baby’s dairy sensitivity.
Hunting for more 30-minute midweek meals? Check out my Garlic, Lemon Shrimp Pasta, these Air Fried Blackened Salmon Tostadas and my Dairy Free Hamburger Helper.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE
This recipe is basically a high protein chicken helper copycat dish that everyone loves. It is a classic comfort food recipe with creamy, cheesy and savory flavors.
I love this homemade version because I know exactly what’s in it – plus, it’s all made in one pot, which means no extra dishes! Ready in 30 minutes, it’s perfect for midweek madness when I want something healthy but also something QUICK.
INGREDIENTS
- Ground chicken: Use lean and protein-rich ground chicken in your one pot chicken helper dinner.
- Olive oil: I love using good quality olive oil for sauteing with and adding richness.
- Yellow onion: Finely dice it so it mixes evenly through this recipe.
- Garlic: Use freshly minced garlic for the best aromatic flavor in your Chicken Helper Recipe.
- Paprika: Adds warmth and some smokiness. Plus, it boosts the color.
- Salt and black pepper: Season your one pot chicken helper dinner well!
- Dried oregano: The herbyness from oregano is so delicious.
- Tomato paste: This adds a yummy rich and concentrated tomato flavor.
- Worcestershire sauce: This gives the dish some depth and umami.
- Zucchini: Add grated zucchini for added moisture and hidden veggies. Zucchini are loaded with fiber, so I love the extra boost it adds to this recipe.
- Chicken broth: Use a good quality broth or bone broth. A low sodium version is great.
- Milk: Any milk will do in this one-pot chicken helper dinner.
- Elbow macaroni: This classic and kid-friendly pasta shape is best for my Ruby.
- Cheddar cheese: Use sharp or mild – depending on what your family likes!
- Optional: Boost your quick weeknight chicken helper meal with chopped parsley for a pop of color.
HOW TO MAKE THIS CHICKEN HELPER RECIPE
Check out my step-by-step guide to making Chicken Helper Recipe:
Cook the base of the recipe
Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 3–4 minutes until soft. Stir in the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.
Cook and season the chicken
Next, add the ground chicken and break it up with a wooden spoon. Season the mixture with salt, pepper, paprika, and oregano. Cook until the chicken is browned.
Add the tomato paste
Mix in the tomato paste and let it cook for about a minute.
Add the balance of the ingredients
Add the grated zucchini, then pour in the Worcestershire sauce, chicken broth and milk. Stir everything together, then add the uncooked elbow macaroni.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat, and let it simmer for 10–12 minutes. Stir it now and then until the pasta is tender in your one-pot chicken helper dinner.
Finish the recipe
Once the pasta is cooked and the liquid has mostly absorbed, turn off the heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy.
Serve warm, garnished with chopped parsley if you like.
SUBSTITUTIONS AND VARIATIONS
Here are a couple of easy swaps you might want to make:
- Ground chicken: Swap with ground turkey for a similar lean option, or use ground beef instead.
- Olive oil: Use avocado oil, canola oil, or butter.
- Yellow onion: Red or white onion will also work.
- Garlic: Substitute with ½ teaspoon garlic powder if you don’t have fresh garlic.
- Paprika: Try smoked paprika for a deeper flavor if you like.
- Zucchini: Grated carrot, spinach, or finely chopped bell peppers can be used instead.
- Cheesy broccoli version: Swap zucchini for finely chopped broccoli florets and stir in with the pasta.
- Buffalo chicken twist: Stir in a few tablespoons of buffalo sauce before adding the cheese.
- Gluten free chicken helper alternative: All you’ll need to do is use a gluten free pasta and double check the chicken broth is gluten free.
STORAGE AND MAKE AHEAD
One of the beautiful things about this Chicken Helper Recipe is that it can be made ahead of time. It’s a great weeknight dinner and can be prepared up until adding the cheese.
Store this one-pot chicken helper dinner for up to 2 days, uncooked and covered in the fridge. Just before you’re ready to eat it, reheat it gently on the stove and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese.
Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Reheat slowly on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of milk or chicken broth if the mixture becomes too thick.
You can also freeze the dish without the cheese in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
SERVING AND PAIRING
I love to serve straight out of the pan with a fresh salad on the side. If you want to bulk up this meal with an appetizer, try it with my Bruschetta and Burrata on Toasted Garlic Bread or Whipped Feta and Cottage Cheese with Balsamic Strawberries on Toasted Garlic Bread.
TIPS AND PROBLEM SOLVING
My pasta didn’t cook properly: Make sure you simmer the dish covered and stir it from time to time. Add a little broth or water, if the pasta needs to cook further.
My Chicken Helper Recipe is dry: Add a little extra milk to the mixture and loosen it up a bit.
Avoid getting a watery dish: Squeeze out any moisture from the grated zucchini before adding it.
It’s a little bland: That’s ok! Season with a little more salt and pepper and add in some fresh herbs.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yup – small or short pasta shapes work well in this Chicken Helper Recipe. Make it with bowtie (farfalle) or penne instead of elbow macaroni.
Yes! When I was postpartum, I ate a dairy free diet and would make this recipe using plant based milk and cheese. Add nutritional yeast for extra cheesy flavor in your dairy free chicken helper recipe.
OTHER EASY CHICKEN RECIPES TO TRY
Freezer Friendly Coconut Curry Chicken Marinade
Chicken Helper Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup zucchini grated
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups milk any kind, whole milk is best
- 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Optional: chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- In a large deep skillet or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until soft. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Add ground chicken, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, and oregano. Cook until chicken is no longer pink.
- Stir in tomato paste and let it cook for about 1 minute to deepen the flavor.
- Add in the grated zucchini then pour in Worcestershire sauce, chicken broth and milk. Stir well, then add in the uncooked macaroni. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer for about 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender.
- Once the pasta is cooked and most of the liquid is absorbed, turn off the heat and stir in the shredded cheddar until melted and creamy.
- Spoon into bowls and top with a sprinkle of parsley if desired.
Tried this last night. I had ground beef thawed so used that and beef broth instead of the chicken. It was yummy. Hubby loved it. Had to add some additional seasonings because I had 1 1/2 lbs beef. Will definitely be making it again. Can’t wait to try it with chicken.
Thank you for sharing, Beckie! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!