Chicken Sloppy Joes
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If you’re craving something barbecue-inspired for Memorial Day dinner but want to skip the hassle of grilling, these chicken sloppy joes might be what you’re looking for. They offer all the smoky, savory flavors you love in a barbecue dish without the need to fire up the grill.
This recipe is also incredibly versatile, making enough for 6 servings, but it can easily be doubled or tripled if you’re feeding a crowd. It’s a simple and satisfying option for a relaxed holiday meal.
The recipe starts with cooked and shredded chicken, which forms the base of these delicious sloppy joes. Using a rotisserie chicken is a convenient and flavorful option, saving you time and effort in the kitchen. The tender, pre-cooked meat absorbs the sauce beautifully, making it a great choice for this dish.
Alternatively, if you prefer to prepare your own chicken, I like to cook large batches of chicken breasts in my slow cooker. I season the chicken with various herbs and spices, then cook it low and slow until it’s tender enough to shred with a fork. Once shredded, I portion the chicken into freezer bags and store it in the freezer.
This way, I always have cooked chicken on hand, ready to go for recipes like these chicken sloppy joes. This time-saving strategy makes weeknight dinners and last-minute meals a breeze, especially when you’re looking for a quick and delicious barbecue fix without the grill.
These chicken sloppy joes are easy to make and packed with flavor, making them a great addition to your Memorial Day menu or any casual summer dinner.
Ingredients to Make Chicken Sloppy Joes
- COOKED AND SHREDDED CHICKEN
- TOMATO SAUCE
- BROWN SUGAR
- YELLOW MUSTARD
- APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
- SALT
- GARLIC POWDER
- PEPPER
- RED PEPPER FLAKES
- HAMBURGER BUNS
- BUTTER
How to Make Chicken Sloppy Joes
Once you have your cooked and shredded chicken ready, it’s time to make the sauce that will bring these chicken sloppy joes to life. This sauce is quick and easy to prepare, and you probably already have most of the ingredients in your pantry.
Start by grabbing a 15-ounce can of tomato sauce as the base and adding it to a medium-sized pot. The tomato sauce provides a rich, tangy foundation that pairs perfectly with the chicken. To the tomato sauce, add a tablespoon of prepared yellow mustard, which brings a nice tang and a slight sharpness to the sauce.
Then, stir in a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to add a bit of acidity and balance out the sweetness of the tomato sauce. Season the mixture with salt, garlic powder, and black pepper to taste, ensuring the sauce has a well-rounded flavor profile. For a little extra kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes. This will give your sloppy joes a subtle heat that complements the other flavors without overpowering the dish.
Time to simmer:
Add the shredded chicken to the mixture once all your sauce ingredients are combined. Stir everything together until the chicken is evenly coated in the sauce. Now, bring the mixture to a gentle simmer on the stove over medium heat.
Let it simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. This simmering time allows the flavors to meld together and ensures the chicken is fully heated and infused with the delicious sauce. It’s a quick and easy step, but it’s essential for developing that classic sloppy joe flavor.
While the chicken and sauce are simmering, take a few minutes to prepare the buns. Because these sloppy joes are, well, sloppy, I highly recommend toasting the buns before serving. Toasting adds a layer of crispness to the bread, which helps prevent the buns from becoming soggy under the saucy chicken mixture.
For the buns:
To toast the buns, butter the cut sides and place them on a skillet or griddle over medium heat. Cook them until golden brown and crisp, which should take just a few minutes. Toasting the buns might seem like a small step, but it makes a big difference in the texture and overall enjoyment of the sandwich.
Once the buns are toasted and the sloppy joe mixture is ready, it’s time to assemble your sloppy joes. Spoon a generous amount of the saucy chicken onto the bottom half of each toasted bun, then place the top half of the bun on top. Serve the sloppy joes immediately while they’re still warm, and the buns are nice and crisp.
These chicken sloppy joes are perfect on their own, but you can also serve them with your favorite sides, like coleslaw, potato chips, or a fresh green salad. They’re a quick, easy, and inexpensive meal perfect for a busy weeknight or a casual gathering with friends and family.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of meat instead of chicken?
You can easily substitute the chicken with other meats like ground chicken, turkey, beef, or even pork. Just cook the meat until it is fully done before adding it to the sauce. The cooking method and sauce remain the same so you can customize the recipe based on your preferences.
Can I use leftover chicken for this recipe?
Absolutely! Leftover roasted or grilled chicken works great for this recipe. Just shred the chicken and add it to the sauce. Using leftovers is a great way to reduce food waste and make a quick meal.
Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the sauce ahead of time and store it in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days. When ready to serve, reheat the sauce and mix it with the shredded chicken. This can save time, especially if you’re preparing for a busy day.
How do I make this recipe spicier?
To add some heat, you can increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce or cayenne pepper to the sauce. You can also mix in some diced jalapeños or use spicy mustard to give the sloppy joes an extra kick.
FOR MORE RECIPES LIKE THIS, TRY:
Chicken Sloppy Joes
Real Mom Kitchen
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked and shredded chicken
- 1 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 4 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp yellow mustard
- 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- pepper to taste
- a dash of red pepper flakes
- 6 hamburger buns
- softened butter
Instructions
- In a large sauce pan, add in the chicken, tomato sauce, brown sugar, mustard, vinegar, salt, garlic powder, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine.
- Heat over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 5 minutes or until heated through.
- Butter inside of buns and broil in the oven until toasted. Serve chicken on the toasted buns. Serves 6.
Nutrition
This recipe is adapted from $5 Dinner Mom.
