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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F to prepare for toasting the brioche buns later in the recipe.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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