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Chicken Parmesan Sloppy Joes is a classic sloppy joe recipe with a delicious Italian twist! All the best flavors of chicken parmesan but in sandwich form – with ground chicken, marinara sauce, and parmesan cheese.
For more chicken parmesan dinnertime favorites be sure and try Crispy Baked Chicken Parmesan and Garlic Parmesan Chicken.
Chicken Parmesan Sloppy Joe Recipe
Switch up classic sloppy joes and make this Italian-inspired version with ground chicken, marinara sauce, garlic, and parmesan cheese. All the classic flavors of traditional chicken parmesan, but in a fun-to-eat handheld sandwich.
These can be on the dinner table in a little over 30 minutes! I don’t know about your family, but anytime my kids can eat with their hands (hello sloppy joes!), it’s always a dinnertime win. With mild flavors and cheesy goodness, these sloppy joes are sure to be a hit.
Simple Ingredients Needed
- Olive Oil : Used to cook the lean ground chicken in since the fat content is much lower, the ground chicken does need some oil when cooking. I use extra-virgin “light tasting” olive oil.
- Ground Chicken : Provides a lean, protein-rich, flavorful base for the chicken parmesan inspired sloppy joe filling.
- Sweet Onion : Adds a slight natural sweetness; a white or yellow onion can also be used.
- Marinara Sauce : Use your favorite tomato based red sauce for this recipe; it can be a cheesy marinara sauce, chunky vegetable, classic, etc.
- Garlic Powder
- Italian Seasoning : A blend of dried herbs; oregano, basil, and thyme that gives the dish it’s signature Italian flavor.
- Kosher Salt & Black Pepper
- Shaved Parmesan Cheese : Adds a salty, nutty richness. Grated or freshly shredded parmesan cheese can also be used, as well as Pecorino Romano cheese.
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese : Melts beautifully for a gooey, cheesy topping that compliments the Italian flavors.
- Buns : Use hamburger buns, sandwich rolls, or brioche buns.
How To Make Parmesan Chicken Sloppy Joes (Printable Recipe Card)
In a large skillet pan, over medium heat, add the olive oil and finely diced sweet onion. Sauté until soft and translucent; about 3 minutes.
Add the ground chicken and cook & crumble until it’s no longer pink. Drain the excess liquid from the skillet pan by soaking it up with a paper towel or draining it through a colander.
Add the garlic powder, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper and stir until thoroughly combined.
Stir in the marinara sauce until combined. Let it simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until slightly thickened and the flavors have developed.
Stir in the parmesan cheese until melted and combined.
Spoon some sloppy joe filling onto the bottom of each bun. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese and additional parmesan cheese on top. Place the top bun over the filling. Enjoy!
How To Store Leftovers
Store any leftover sloppy joe filling in a separate airtight container, in the refrigerator, for up to 3 days. Keep any leftover buns, sealed tightly, at room temperature. Assemble the sandwiches fresh rather than storing them already assembled.
Serving Suggestions
- Caesar Salad – Make your own or buy a ready-to-use Caesar salad kit from the grocery store! This is what I do and not only does it make for such a quick and easy side dish, but they are also really good too and it comes with everything you need.
- Garlic Fries – Try making these Easy Garlic French Fries for a yummy side! It starts with store-bought frozen French fries and then you add a yummy garlic butter over top.
- Roasted Vegetables – Toss some fresh veggies onto a cookie sheet and roast them in the oven (olive oil + seasonings of choice). Or try these recipes for Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts or Roasted Parmesan Potatoes.
Recipe Tips
- Toast The Buns : If you prefer a crispier texture, you can lightly toast the buns, by broiling them in the oven. I lay out the buns (both halves) on a cookie sheet. I then spread softened butter over each one or you can spray them with cooking spray. Place the buns in the oven under a medium broil, watch carefully, until they are lightly golden brown and toasted.
- Make It Spicy! : Add a pinch (more or less to taste) of red pepper flakes into the meat mixture to bring a subtle heat.
- Extra Gooey & Cheesy : Place the assembled sandwiches under the broiler for 1-2 minutes until the cheese is melty and bubbly.
More Ground Chicken Dinner Recipes
More Sloppy Joe Recipes You’ll Love
- Cheeseburger Sloppy Joes
- Manwich Sloppy Joes (Homemade Copycat Recipe)
- Taco Sloppy Joes
- Hawaiian Sloppy Joes
- BBQ Turkey Sloppy Joes
- Frito Pie Sloppy Joes
- Gumbo Soup Sloppy Joes
- Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes
Chicken Parmesan Sloppy Joes
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 sweet onion finely diced
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1/3 cup parmesan cheese (shaved, shredded, or grated)
For Serving
- 5 brioche buns or hamburger buns
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (less or more to taste)
- 3 tablespoons parmesan cheese (shaved, shredded, or grated)
- chopped fresh Italian parsley optional
Instructions
- In a large skillet pan, over medium heat, add the olive oil and finely diced sweet onion. Sauté until soft and translucent; about 3 minutes.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 sweet onion
- Add the ground chicken and cook & crumble until it's no longer pink. Drain the excess liquid from the skillet pan by soaking it up with a paper towel or draining it through a colander.1 pound ground chicken
- Add the garlic powder, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper and stir until thoroughly combined.2 teaspoons garlic powder, 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Stir in the marinara sauce until combined. Let it simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until thickened and the flavors have developed.1 cup marinara sauce
- Stir in the parmesan cheese until melted and combined.1/3 cup parmesan cheese
- Spoon some sloppy joe filling onto the bottom of each bun. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese and additional parmesan cheese on top. Place the top bun over the filling. Enjoy!5 brioche buns or hamburger buns, 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, 3 tablespoons parmesan cheese, chopped fresh Italian parsley
Notes
-
- Toast The Buns : If you prefer a crispier texture, you can lightly toast the buns, by broiling them in the oven. I lay out the buns (both halves) on a cookie sheet. I then spread softened butter over each one or you can spray them with cooking spray. Place the buns in the oven under a medium broil, watch carefully, until they are lightly golden brown and toasted.
-
- Make It Spicy! : Add a pinch (more or less to taste) of red pepper flakes into the meat mixture to bring a subtle heat.
-
- Extra Gooey & Cheesy : Place the assembled sandwiches under the broiler for 1-2 minutes until the cheese is melty and bubbly.
- Serving Size : I can get 5-6 sloppy joes out of this recipe because none of my kids put a lot of the sloppy joe mix on their buns. If you want heartier sloppy joes then plan on only getting 4 sloppy joes from the recipe above.
- Nutrition Information : The amount listed is for 1 sandwich when getting 5 sloppy joes from the recipe. The amount will vary slightly depending on what bun is used. The bun calculated in the nutrition facts was just a standard hamburger bun.
Nutrition
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