Sloppy Joes, an American classic, gets a tasty makeover in this Ground Chicken Sloppy Joes recipe. Lean ground chicken becomes the star of the show as it simmers in a homemade, sweet, tomato-infused barbecue sauce, sure to have your whole family reaching for seconds.
While traditional Sloppy Joes include ground beef, this Sloppy Joe mixture is the leaner, meaner, healthier little cousin of the classic beef version. This recipe is saucy because of simple ingredients like tomato sauce, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and dark soy sauce that, when blended, create a perfect balance of salty and sweet.
This is one of my go-to recipes for getting an easy weeknight dinner on the table, and I love that it's a one-pan meal because the less mess there is to clean up, the better! If you're like me and you think these one-pot wonders are a great thing, try my recipe for Inside-Out Egg Rolls, which can be made with ground chicken or turkey. Or try my recipe for Cheeseburger Bowls, which takes less than 30 minutes to make.
Now, grab your napkins because things are about to get messy!
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Ingredients
Here is a summary of the ingredients you'll need to make this easy recipe for Ground Chicken Sloppy Joes:
Ingredient Notes
- Dark soy sauce is a type of soy sauce that is thicker and darker than regular soy sauce. It's commonly used in Asian cooking, especially Chinese cuisine, and it is a great way to add a beautiful, rich, dark color and a touch of sweetness to your dish.
- Brioche buns are sweeter and more tender than the typical hamburger buns you will find. This type of bun complements the slight sweetness of the Sloppy Joe filling.
See the recipe card below for all the ingredients and measurements.
Substitutions
- Ground chicken: substitute with ground turkey for a mild flavor comparable to chicken.
- Monterey Jack: mild or strong cheddar cheese can be swapped for the Monterey Jack.
- Garlic: 1 teaspoon of garlic powder can be substituted for fresh garlic.
Variations
- Try another type of ground meat: use ground beef or ground pork for a richer, heartier-tasting dish.
- You don't have carrots or celery: use green bell peppers instead or any other color bell pepper.
- For extra sweetness: add 1 tablespoon of brown sugar to the Sloppy Joe sauce.
How to Make Sloppy Joes with Ground Chicken
Step-by-step-Instructions
This Sloppy Joe recipe is tasty and a good source of lean protein, and it often makes an appearance on our weekly menu.
Step 1: Sauté aromatics. In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, add the olive oil, carrot, celery, and onions, and sauté for 4-5 minutes or until the onion is soft and translucent.
Step 2: Add chicken. Add the ground chicken to the skillet, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon. Sauté until the meat is cooked through and starting to brown and most of the liquid has evaporated. This should take 6-8 minutes.
Step 3: Add garlic. Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Step 4: Add seasoning. Add the smoked paprika and the remaining ingredients through to the diced tomatoes. Simmer with the lid ajar for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Keep an eye on the mixture, as you want the chicken mixture to be saucy and not dried out.
Step 5: Toast the buns. Toast the buns in the toaster (or bake on the middle rack of a 350-degree Fahrenheit oven for 5 minutes or so).
Step 6: Assemble and serve. On the bottom half of each toasted bun, lay a slice of cheese and spoon a generous amount of the chicken mixture over the cheese. Serve with coleslaw, a simple green salad, homemade French fries, or potato chips. Enjoy.
Secret for Success
- I like to sauté the meat until it starts to brown slightly. The caramelization of the sugars in the meat adds extra flavor to the dish.
Storage
Store the ground chicken mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Make Ahead
This is a great recipe to make ahead of time because it reheats beautifully in the microwave or gently over the stovetop.
Recipe FAQ
Yes, you can substitute ground turkey for ground chicken in this recipe, and the overall flavor will not be significantly altered.
📝 Recipe Card
Ground Chicken Sloppy Joes
Equipment
- 12-inch skillet
- wooden spoon
- chef's knife
- measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ cup carrot, diced
- ½ cup celery, diced
- ½ cup onion, diced
- 1 pound lean ground chicken
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- ¼ cup ketchup, I love Heinz ketchup
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes, I love the brand Cirio
- 6 slices Monterey Jack cheese
- 6 brioche-style buns, or hamburger buns
Instructions
- Sauté aromatics. In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, add the olive oil, carrot, celery, and onions, and sauté for 4-5 minutes or until the onion is soft and translucent.1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, ½ cup carrot, ½ cup celery, ½ cup onion
- Add chicken. Add the ground chicken to the skillet, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon. Sauté until the meat is cooked through and starting to brown and most of the liquid has evaporated. This should take 6-8 minutes.1 pound lean ground chicken
- Add garlic. Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds.1 tablespoon garlic
- Add seasoning. Add the smoked paprika and the remaining ingredients through to the diced tomatoes. Simmer with the lid ajar for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Keep an eye on the mixture, as you want the chicken mixture to be saucy and not dried out.1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon sweet paprika, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce, 1 tablespoon yellow mustard, ¼ cup ketchup, ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, ¼ teaspoon sea salt, 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes
- Toast the buns. Toast the buns in the toaster (or bake on the middle rack of a 350-degree Fahrenheit oven for 5 minutes or so).6 brioche-style buns
- Assemble and serve. On the bottom half of each toasted bun, lay a slice of cheese and spoon a generous amount of the chicken mixture over the cheese. Serve with coleslaw, a simple green salad, homemade French fries, or potato chips. Enjoy.6 slices Monterey Jack cheese
Julie says
Very good and very sloppy!! Kids loved that part too! Love the added crunch with the pickle in the middle. Makes lots of leftovers- I love that part too!
Donna Poirier says
Thank you Julie, I’m happy to know you enjoyed this recipe. Thanks for your review 🙂
Francois says
One of my favourites ! And it’s easy to just reheat leftovers !
Donna Poirier says
Thank you Francois 🙂
Frank says
These Sloppy Joes are to die for !!!
Donna Poirier says
Thank you 😊