Ground Chicken Sloppy Joes Recipe
These Ground Chicken Sloppy Joes are a fun twist on the traditional beef version. It’s just as saucy, messy, and delicious, making it the perfect meal for a casual dinner. With barbecue sauce, onions and green bell peppers, this dish packs a ton of flavor. Grab some hamburger buns, a handful of napkins, and dig in!
One of the great things about this recipe is that you can pick your favorite barbecue sauce to make it just the way you like. Smoky, tangy, or spicy—it’s all up to you! Every time you switch up the barbecue sauce, it brings a whole new twist to the dish!
You do not have barbecue sauce on hand? No worries, I have a quick bbq sauce substitutions that you can use instead. Just check the FAQ section below for the recipe.
I also love that this meal doesn’t cost a lot to make. It’s simple, affordable, and perfect for feeding your family without spending too much.
Looking for easy dinners recipes? Try this Sloppy Joes with Chicken Gumbo Soup, this Lazy Lasagna with Ravioli, or this Chicken Pot Pie with Mashed Potatoes Recipe!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to make: Made with lean ground chicken, this recipe is packed with bold barbecue flavor and comes together easily, making it a great choice for busy weeknights or casual family dinners.
- Quick to make: With a total prep and cook time of just 30 minutes, ground chicken sloppy joes are a perfect weeknight meal.
- Packed with Flavor: The perfect balance of smoky, sweet, and savory sauce ingredients makes this an irresistible dish.
- Kid-Friendly: The hint of sweetness from the barbecue sauce makes it a hit for kids and adults alike.
Equipment
- Large Skillet: A must-have for browning the chicken and cooking the sloppy joe mixture.
- Wooden Spoon: Perfect for breaking the ground chicken into small pieces and stirring the sauce.
- Cutting Board and Knife: Essential for chopping the red onion and green bell pepper.
- Measuring Spoons and Cups: To ensure accurate measurements for the sauce ingredients.
- Serving Spoon: Handy for piling the chicken mixture onto hamburber buns.
Ingredients
You’ll need the following ingredients to make this Ground Chicken Sloppy Joes Recipe:
- Ground Chicken: I use extra lean ground chicken but lean will do just as well.
- Oil: I use vegetable oil. Feel free to use the oil of your choice.
- Red Onion: Feel free to use the onions you have on hand.
- Cup Green Bell Pepper: I went with green ones because they are cheaper but you can use red or yellow if it’s what you have.
- Barbecue Sauce: Use the one you prefer.
- Garlic Cloves: For flavor.
- Chili Powder: Adds warmth without being too spicy.
- Smoked Paprika: Provides a smoky flavor.
- Salt and Black Pepper: For seasoning the chicken and sauce.
- Hamburger Buns: Choose the type of buns that you prefer.
Substitutions and Additions
- Ground Meat Options: Swap ground chicken for ground turkey, ground pork or traditional ground beef.
- Vegetable Additions: Try adding carrots and celery for more veggies or diced jalapeño peppers for a spicy kick.
- Cheese Topping: A slice of cheddar cheese or blue cheese crumbles can be melted on top for a cheesy addition.
How to make Ground Chicken Sloppy Joes: Step-by-Step
Heat the Oil: Add 1 tablespoon of oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Brown the Chicken: Add 1 lb of ground chicken to the skillet. Use a wooden spoon to break it into small pieces. Cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
Sauté the Vegetables: Add ½ cup of diced red onion, ½ cup of diced green bell pepper, and 2 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
Season the Mixture: Stir in 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper to taste. Cook for 1 minute.
Add the Sauce: Stir in 1 cup of barbecue sauce. Reduce the heat to medium and let the chicken mixture simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
Assemble and Serve: Pile the chicken mixture onto hamburger buns. Serve warm.
Tips and Notes
- Toast the Buns: Toasting the hamburger buns adds some crunch and helps prevent them from getting soggy.
- Adjust Spice Levels: Add a dash of hot sauce or cayenne pepper if you prefer a spicier sloppy joe.
- Make Ahead: Prepare the sloppy joe mixture in advance and reheat for an even quicker meal.
- Double the Recipe: This is a great idea if you’re feeding a crowd or want leftovers for the next day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Brown the ground chicken in a skillet first, then transfer it to a slow cooker with the onions, bell peppers, garlic, seasonings, and barbecue sauce. Cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally.
Any barbecue sauce works, but a smoky or sweet BBQ sauce pairs well with the chicken. You can also use a spicy BBQ sauce if you like extra heat.
If you don’t have barbecue sauce, you can make a quick substitute.
Here’s a quick 1 cup BBQ sauce substitute recipe using ketchup:
¾ cup ketchup
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
¼ tsp black pepper
Mix everything together in a bowl and use it in place of the barbecue sauce.
Serving Suggestions
- With a Simple Salad: Pair with butter lettuce, ranch dressing, or a quick slaw for a light side dish.
- Potato Chips or Homemade French Fries: Classic sloppy joes are always great with potato sides.
- Lettuce Wraps: Use butter lettuce as a low-carb alternative to hamburger buns.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Store any leftover chicken mixture in an airtight container.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat or in the microwave until warm.
Freezing Ground Chicken Sloppy Joes
- Let the chicken mixture cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe airtight container or freezer bag.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
Defrosting and Reheating Ground Chicken Sloppy Joes
- To defrost, transfer the frozen chicken mixture to the refrigerator overnight.
- Reheat in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or barbecue sauce if needed to refresh the flavors.
I hope you love this Ground Chicken Sloppy Joes Recipe! If you make it be sure to leave a comment and a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating so I know you liked it!
Ground Chicken Sloppy Joes Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/2 cup red onion diced
- ½ cup green bell pepper diced
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 hamburger buns
Instructions
Heat the Oil
- Add 1 tablespoon of oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Brown the Chicken
- Add 1 lb of ground chicken to the skillet. Use a wooden spoon to break it into small pieces. Cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
Sauté the Vegetables
- Add ½ cup of diced red onion, ½ cup of diced green bell pepper, and 2 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
Season the Mixture
- Stir in 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper to taste. Cook for 1 minute.
Add the Sauce
- Stir in 1 cup of barbecue sauce. Reduce the heat to medium and let the chicken mixture simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
Assemble and Serve
- Pile the chicken mixture onto hamburger buns. Serve warm.