Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the sloppy Joe filling 2 - 3 days ahead of time. But, to keep the buns fresh, you need to assemble the sloppy Joes right before serving. To serve the sloppy Joes later, just let the filling cool after cooking. Then store it in a covered container in the fridge. When it's time to serve, you can reheat it in a pan set over medium-low heat. If needed, add in an additional splash of water to rehydrate the sauce.

What should I serve with chicken sloppy Joes?

Chicken sloppy Joes would taste great with a green salad and/or a side of veggies. Plus, a handful of chips or french fries of course! If you're looking for easy veggie sides to pair with the sloppy Joes, try my recipes for air fryer green beans , creamy tomato cucumber salad , or lemon herb asparagus .

Ground Chicken Sloppy Joes

Name: Ground Chicken Sloppy Joes
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 16 ounces (454 g) ground chicken (92% lean preferred - note 1); 1 tablespoon oil; 1 medium sweet (or yellow) onion, finely diced; 3/4 cup (204 g) ketchup; 1/2 cup (118 ml) water; 2 tablespoons (30 ml) Worcestershire sauce; 1 tablespoon yellow mustard; 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika (can substitute regular or chili powder); salt and pepper, to taste; 4 - 6 hamburger buns (note 2)

Ground Chicken Sloppy Joes

chicken sloppy joe with pickles on white plate.

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Ground chicken never tasted so good! You can make this delicious and easy ground chicken sloppy Joe recipe in only about 20 minutes.

Author: Kate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Dinner
Method: stove top
Cuisine: American
Diet: Dairy-Free

Ingredients

Scale

16 ounces (454 g) ground chicken (92% lean preferred - note 1)
1 tablespoon oil
1 medium sweet (or yellow) onion, finely diced
3/4 cup (204 g) ketchup
1/2 cup (118 ml) water
2 tablespoons (30 ml) Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika (can substitute regular or chili powder)
salt and pepper, to taste
4 - 6 hamburger buns (note 2)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Heat the 1 tablespoon oil in a medium (11 - 12 inch diameter) skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the ground chicken. Break the chicken up into very small chunks with a wooden spoon while it starts to brown, about 2 - 3 minutes.
Add the finely diced onion. Stir and continue to cook for an additional 4 - 5 minutes, or until the chicken is no longer pink and the onion is translucent. Season the chicken and onion with salt and pepper to taste.
Add the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, water, and smoked paprika. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a simmer. When simmering, turn the heat down to medium-low or low, to maintain the simmer. Let the sloppy Joe mixture cook for 4 - 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thickened to your liking. Taste the mixture and season with more salt and pepper if needed.
Optional: while the sloppy Joe mixture is simmering, toast the buns in a toaster oven or dry skillet.
Divide the sloppy Joe mixture between the buns and serve immediately.

Notes

I have tested this recipe with 92% lean chicken and 99% lean chicken. The recipe will work with both, but the 92% lean chicken was more flavorful and tender, so that is my preferred choice for this recipe!
This recipe will serve 4 - 6, depending on how much sloppy Joe filling you add to each bun.

Storage and reheating:

After cooling to room temperature, store any leftovers in a covered container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To freeze, transfer the cooled sloppy Joe mixture to an airtight freezer bag and freeze for 2 - 3 months.
To reheat, simmer the sloppy Joe mixture in a small saucepan until hot. Or, microwave on high in a microwave-safe container, covered with a paper towel to catch any spatter.

The nutrition information below is an estimate only. The nutrition counts of your dish will vary based on the brands and exact amounts of ingredients used. This information was provided by an online nutrition calculator, and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical, health, or nutritional advice. See our full nutrition disclosure policy.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
Calories: 309
Sugar: 9.6 g
Sodium: 764 mg
Fat: 7 g
Saturated Fat: 0.9 g
Carbohydrates: 30 g
Fiber: 1.6 g
Protein: 31 g
Cholesterol: 65 mg

Find it online: https://nibbleanddine.com/ground-chicken-sloppy-joes/