Description
Chicken Parmesan Sloppy Joes are a delicious twist on classic sloppy joes, featuring ground chicken simmered in a savory marinara and tomato sauce with Italian seasoning, topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, served on toasted hamburger buns. This easy Italian-American comfort food brings the flavors of chicken parmesan into a convenient sandwich form, perfect for a quick family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Sloppy Joe Mixture
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil (optional)
Buns
- 4 hamburger buns, split and lightly toasted
Instructions
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Cook Ground Chicken: Add the ground chicken to the skillet and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until fully browned and cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain any excess liquid if needed.
- Add Sauce and Seasoning: Stir in the marinara sauce, crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Simmer the mixture for 5 to 7 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Melt Parmesan Cheese: Reduce heat to low and stir in grated Parmesan cheese until it melts and combines evenly into the sauce.
- Assemble Sandwiches: Spoon the chicken mixture evenly onto the bottom halves of the toasted hamburger buns. Top each with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Melt Mozzarella: Place the open sandwiches under a broiler for 1 to 2 minutes until the mozzarella is melted and bubbly. Keep a careful watch to prevent burning.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh basil over the melted cheese if desired, then cover with the top halves of the buns. Serve immediately while hot and melty.
Notes
- For extra crunch, lightly butter the buns before toasting.
- You can substitute ground turkey for ground chicken as a leaner option.
- Use whole wheat buns to add more fiber and nutrients.
- Alternatively, serve the chicken parmesan mixture over cooked pasta or zucchini noodles instead of buns for a low-carb option.
