Chicken Mince: 12 Fast Weeknight Dinners
Chicken mince is lean, quick and cheap. Twelve dinners on the table in under 30 minutes, plus how to stop chicken mince going dry.
Chicken mince is the leanest common mince, which is its strength and its weakness — it cooks in minutes but turns to sawdust if you push it. The fix is fat and moisture: a splash of oil, an aromatic paste, and a sauce it can finish in.
12 dinners under 30 minutes
- Chicken larb — dry-fried mince, toasted rice powder, lime, fish sauce, herbs, in lettuce cups.
- Chicken and corn soup — mince stirred into stock with creamed corn and egg ribbons.
- Thai basil chicken — chilli, garlic, oyster sauce, basil, fried egg.
- Chicken bolognese — lighter than beef; good with pappardelle and lots of parmesan.
- Chicken meatballs — bind with grated zucchini and ricotta so they stay moist; bake and drop into tomato or broth.
- San choy bau — the chicken version, with water chestnut and hoisin.
- Chicken kofta — mince with garlic, cumin, coriander, mint; grill on skewers (kebab skewers here).
- Chicken burgers — add grated apple or onion for moisture; 74°C internal.
- Chicken taco filling — mince with chipotle, lime, a little stock to keep it saucy.
- Chicken and vegetable dumplings — freeze a batch on a tray.
- Chicken ragu pasta bake — mince, béchamel, penne, cheese, 20 minutes in the oven.
- Chicken rissoles — mince, breadcrumb, egg, herbs; pan-fry and serve with mash.
Stop it drying out
- Don't buy the leanest grind for burgers and meatballs — ask for chicken thigh mince (around 85/15) instead of breast mince (95/5).
- Add a wet binder: grated vegetable, ricotta, an egg, or a spoon of yoghurt.
- Take it off the heat the moment it's cooked through. Carryover finishes it.
Buying chicken mince
We grind chicken mince fresh from Australian free-range birds — breast mince for the leanest option, thigh mince where you want more moisture and flavour. Lean chicken mince is also the base of our raw pet mince range for dogs on a poultry diet.
Frequently asked questions
Why does chicken mince go dry?
Breast mince is around 95% lean, so there's almost no fat to keep it moist, and it overcooks in seconds. Use thigh mince for burgers and meatballs, add a wet binder like grated zucchini or ricotta, and pull it off the heat as soon as it's cooked through.
Is chicken mince healthy?
Chicken breast mince is one of the leanest minces available — high protein, low fat. Thigh mince has more fat and flavour but is still leaner than most beef or pork mince.
What's the difference between chicken breast mince and thigh mince?
Breast mince (about 95/5) is very lean and pale — best for soups, larb and meal prep. Thigh mince (about 85/15) is darker, richer and more forgiving — better for burgers, koftas and meatballs.
Can you freeze chicken mince?
Yes, in flat 500g portions for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge and always cook chicken mince through to 74°C.