The humble sloppy Joe doesn’t have to be a painful school cafeteria memory. I found a way to upgrade it from lunchtime loser to weeknight winner with just the right combination of fresh and pre-made ingredients. The filling starts with an aromatic base of onions, bell peppers, jalapenos, and garlic, which get cooked with ground chicken, making this a little bit lighter than the ground beef-based OG. After a quick simmer in a blend of crushed tomatoes and Kansas City-style BBQ sauce, the sloppy Joe mix is ready to be piled onto a toasted bun and topped with a creamy, tangy coleslaw to bring balance to every bite.
Serve it with some pickles and your favorite BBQ sides (hello, potato salad), and you’ve got a family-friendly weeknight dinner that everyone can get behind.
If you have any leftovers, store the BBQ chicken sloppy Joe filling in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Made this recipe? Let us know how it went in the comments below!
