Chicken Parmesan Sloppy Joes Recipe

Introduction

Chicken Parmesan Sloppy Joes offer a delicious twist on a classic comfort food. Combining savory ground chicken simmered in marinara and pesto with melted cheeses on toasted brioche buns, this recipe is perfect for a cozy weeknight meal.

Ingredients

• 1 lb lean ground chicken
• 1 cup diced yellow onion
• 24 oz marinara sauce
• 2 tablespoons basil pesto
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 4 brioche buns
• 1/4 cup garlic margarine or butter
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F to prepare for toasting the buns.
2. Step 2: Place the ground chicken in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat.
3. Step 3: Crumble the ground chicken well as it cooks, ensuring even browning.
4. Step 4: Add the diced yellow onions to the pan and stir together with the chicken while it cooks.
5. Step 5: Once the chicken is fully cooked, pour in the marinara sauce and add the basil pesto, salt, and pepper.
6. Step 6: Stir the mixture until the chicken is thoroughly coated with the sauce.
7. Step 7: Reduce the heat to low and sprinkle in the shredded Parmesan cheese, stirring well to combine. Allow the mixture to simmer gently while you prepare the buns.
8. Step 8: Arrange the brioche buns in a single layer on a baking sheet and spread the garlic margarine or butter evenly on each.
9. Step 9: Toast the buns in the preheated oven for about 5 minutes until golden and slightly crisp.
10. Step 10: Spoon the chicken mixture generously onto the bottom half of each toasted bun.
11. Step 11: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella over the hot chicken mixture, then top with the other half of the bun.
12. Step 12: Serve immediately and enjoy your flavorful Chicken Parmesan Sloppy Joes!

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce while simmering.
• Substitute ground turkey for chicken if you prefer a leaner option.
• Try using whole wheat or ciabatta buns for a different texture.
• For a lower-fat version, use part-skim mozzarella and reduce the amount of margarine or butter on the buns.

Storage

Store leftover chicken mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave before assembling. Toast buns fresh before serving for best texture. Once assembled, sandwiches are best eaten immediately but can be wrapped and refrigerated for up to 1 day.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the chicken mixture ahead of time?

Yes, the chicken mixture can be cooked and stored in the refrigerator a day in advance. Reheat it on low heat before assembling the sandwiches.

What can I use if I don’t have basil pesto?

If you don’t have basil pesto, you can substitute with a teaspoon of dried basil or Italian seasoning for a similar herb flavor.

Chicken Parmesan Sloppy Joes Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 60 reviews

• Author: Lily
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

Chicken Parmesan Sloppy Joes are a delicious twist on the classic sloppy joe sandwich, combining lean ground chicken simmered in a rich marinara and basil pesto sauce, topped with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, and served on toasted brioche buns spread with garlic margarine for an irresistible Italian-inspired meal.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Chicken Mixture

• 1 lb lean ground chicken
• 1 cup diced yellow onion
• 24 oz marinara sauce
• 2 tablespoons basil pesto
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

For the Buns

• 4 brioche buns
• 1/4 cup garlic margarine or butter
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

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Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F to prepare for toasting the brioche buns later in the recipe.
2. Cook Chicken: Place the lean ground chicken in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a spoon or spatula as it cooks to ensure even browning and crumbling.
3. Add Onions: Add the diced yellow onions to the pan, stirring with the chicken to combine and cook until the chicken is fully cooked and the onions are softened.
4. Add Sauce and Seasoning: Once the chicken is fully cooked, pour in the marinara sauce and stir in the basil pesto, salt, and pepper. Mix well so the chicken is completely coated in the flavorful sauce.
5. Simmer with Cheese: Reduce the heat to low, then stir in the shredded Parmesan cheese. Continue cooking on low heat to allow the cheese to melt into the sauce and blend all flavors together.
6. Prepare Buns: Arrange the brioche buns in a single layer on a baking sheet. Spread the garlic margarine or butter evenly on the cut sides of the buns.
7. Toast Buns: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and toast the buns for about 5 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned and crisp.
8. Assemble Sloppy Joes: Spoon the chicken Parmesan mixture generously onto the bottom half of each toasted bun. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the hot meat mixture so it begins to melt, then cover with the top bun.
9. Serve: Serve the sandwiches immediately while warm and enjoy the rich, cheesy, and flavorful Chicken Parmesan Sloppy Joes.

Notes

• Use lean ground chicken for a healthier option and to keep the mixture from being too greasy.
• For a spicier version, add red pepper flakes to the marinara sauce.
• If you don’t have basil pesto, substituting with fresh chopped basil works well.
• To melt the mozzarella cheese more thoroughly, you can place the assembled sandwiches back in the oven for 2-3 minutes on broil before serving.
• Use a good quality marinara sauce for the best flavor.
• Leftover sloppy joe mixture can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: Chicken Parmesan, Sloppy Joes, Chicken Sloppy Joes, Italian Sloppy Joes, Easy Chicken Recipes, Sandwich Recipe