Sweet and tangy and lighter than the original, this ground chicken Sloppy Joes recipe is a healthier twist on the classic favorite. Made in one skillet and ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a perfect, no-fuss weeknight meal.
This chicken version of sloppy joes is quick, simple, and reliably satisfying. The saucy, flavorful mixture pairs perfectly with soft burger buns that soak up every last bit of sauce. It’s one of those easy dinners you’ll return to again and again.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast and convenient — ready in less than 30 minutes with minimal prep.
- One-skillet cooking makes cleanup simple; you can even toast buns in the same pan.
- Easy to double or triple and freezer-friendly for quick make-ahead meals.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Unsalted butter (use unsalted to control saltiness)
- Olive oil or another neutral cooking oil
- Ground chicken
- Onion, finely diced
- Minced garlic
- Tomato paste
- Ketchup
- Chicken broth
- Brown sugar (light or dark)
- Chili powder (American-style chili powder)
- Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
How To Make Chicken Sloppy Joes
- Heat butter and olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the ground chicken and break it up as it cooks. The butter adds flavor while the oil helps prevent burning.
- When the chicken is mostly cooked, add the diced onion and minced garlic. If there’s excess liquid or oil, drain it before proceeding.
- Stir in the tomato paste until evenly distributed, then add ketchup, chicken broth, brown sugar, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer until the sauce has thickened to your liking. Spoon onto hamburger buns and serve.
Recipe Variations
- Add sriracha or another hot sauce for extra heat.
- Swap ground chicken for ground turkey or beef if preferred.
- Use barbecue sauce instead of ketchup for a smokier flavor (the profile will change).
- Turn it into a bowl by stirring in frozen corn and peas at the end and serving over cooked rice.
Tips and Notes
- Serve the mixture over fries or waffle fries if you prefer not to use buns.
- To toast buns in the pan: add a little butter or oil to the hot skillet and place the buns cut-side down for a minute or two until golden.
- Dice onions small so they blend smoothly with the ground chicken.
- Don’t reduce the sauce too far—keep it saucy so the sloppy joes aren’t dry.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Cool completely, then freeze in airtight, freezer-safe containers for up to 4 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat on the stove or in the microwave.
Recipe
Chicken Sloppy Joes
Sweet and tangy and lighter than the classic, this one-skillet chicken sloppy joes recipe comes together in under 30 minutes—perfect for busy nights.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- ½ tablespoon unsalted butter
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground chicken
- ½ onion, diced finely
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- ½ cup ketchup
- ⅓ cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt and pepper, or to taste
Instructions
- Warm the butter and olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add ground chicken and break it up as it browns.
- When the chicken is nearly cooked, add the diced onion and minced garlic. Drain excess oil if needed.
- Mix in tomato paste, then add ketchup, chicken broth, brown sugar, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Stir until combined.
- Simmer until the sauce thickens. Serve on hamburger buns or over fries or rice, as desired.
Nutrition
Serving: 4 servings
Calories: 259 kcal |
Carbs: 17 g |
Protein: 21 g |
Fat: 13 g
Carbs: 17 g |
Protein: 21 g |
Fat: 13 g
Course: One Pot
Cuisine: American
Author: Carmy
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