Ingredients
- Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon (for sautéing)
- Ground Chicken: 1.5 pounds (93% lean recommended)
- Yellow Onion: 1 medium, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
- Green Bell Pepper: 1 medium, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
- Garlic: 3 cloves, minced
- Ketchup: ¾ cup
- Water or Chicken Broth: ¼ cup (to adjust consistency)
- Brown Sugar: 2 tablespoons, packed (light or dark)
- Worcestershire Sauce: 2 tablespoons
- Apple Cider Vinegar: 1 tablespoon
- Yellow Mustard: 1 tablespoon (classic prepared mustard)
- Chili Powder: 1 teaspoon
- Smoked Paprika: ½ teaspoon (optional, for a smoky depth)
- Salt: ½ teaspoon, or to taste
- Black Pepper: ¼ teaspoon, or to taste
- Hamburger Buns: 6-8, for serving (whole wheat or classic white)
- Optional Toppings: Shredded cheese, pickles, coleslaw, thinly sliced red onion
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped yellow onion and green bell pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables have softened and the onion is translucent.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- Cook Ground Chicken: Add the ground chicken to the skillet. Break it apart with a spoon or spatula and cook, stirring frequently, until it’s no longer pink and is cooked through. This usually takes about 6-8 minutes. If there’s any excess fat, carefully drain it from the skillet.
- Build the Sauce: To the skillet with the cooked chicken and vegetables, add the ketchup, water or chicken broth, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, yellow mustard, chili powder, and smoked paprika (if using). Stir everything together until well combined.
- Simmer to Perfection: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for at least 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully and the sauce to thicken slightly. If the sauce becomes too thick for your liking, you can add a tablespoon or two more of water or broth to reach your desired consistency.
- Season and Serve: Taste the sloppy joe mixture and adjust seasonings if necessary. Add salt and black pepper to your preference. Spoon the warm ground chicken sloppy joe mixture generously onto hamburger buns. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: One Normal Portion
- Calories: 280-320