Get ready for a serious comfort food mashup! Chicken Parmesan Sloppy Joe’s are a joyful collision of two beloved classics — saucy, cheesy chicken Parm and the messy magic of a Sloppy Joe — all piled high on toasty, buttery buns. Your weeknight dinner game just got a whole lot more delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick & Family-Friendly: On the table in just 25 minutes, Chicken Parmesan Sloppy Joe’s make weeknight dinners completely stress-free.
- Ultimate Flavor Mashup: Think juicy ground chicken in tangy marinara, ooey-gooey cheese, and buttery crunchy crumbs—all the Italian vibes in a fun, handheld package.
- Hidden Veggie Boost: Shredded zucchini melts right into the mix for extra moisture and nutrition (picky eaters won’t even notice!).
- Crowd-Pleasing & Customizable: Serve these at parties, for family dinner, or make them gluten-free or low-carb with just a few tweaks.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Chicken Parmesan Sloppy Joe’s lies in simple, smart ingredients that work together to create big-time flavor. Each one adds its own touch—richness, brightness, gooeyness, or crunch. Here’s what you’ll need and why they matter:
- Olive oil: For sautéing the onions and building that savory base flavor right from the start.
- White onion: Adds sweetness and depth as it softens and mingles with the chicken.
- Ground chicken: Mild and juicy, perfect for soaking up those Italian-inspired flavors.
- Shredded zucchini: Keeps things moist and adds extra nutrients without overpowering the dish.
- Italian seasoning: Brings those herby, classic Chicken Parm notes to every bite.
- Marinara sauce: Tangy, saucy, and all about big tomato flavor—store-bought or homemade both work beautifully.
- Shredded Italian cheese: Melts into luscious, stretchy goo over the chicken mixture (mozzarella blends are perfect!).
- Unsalted butter: Used for toasting the breadcrumbs, bringing richness and golden crunch.
- Breadcrumbs: The “Parmesan” part! Toasted and buttery, they’re the magic finishing touch.
- Brioche buns: Super soft and slightly sweet, sturdy enough to hold all that glorious sloppy filling.
Variations
One of the best things about Chicken Parmesan Sloppy Joe’s is just how flexible they are! Whether you want to switch up the protein, sneak in other veggies, or lighten them up, try these fun variations to make them your own.
- Make It Spicy: Stir in some red pepper flakes or chopped Calabrian chilies to bring gentle heat to the filling.
- Go Low-Carb: Skip the bun and serve the saucy chicken mixture over roasted zucchini boats or in a lettuce wrap.
- Swap the Protein: Try ground turkey for an even leaner option, or plant-based crumbles for a vegetarian twist.
- Add More Veggies: Chopped spinach, grated carrot, or bell pepper all melt in seamlessly for a colorful veggie boost.
How to Make Chicken Parmesan Sloppy Joe’s
Step 1: Sauté the Onions
Start by heating olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in your diced white onion and let it cook, stirring occasionally, until it softens up and becomes a little golden around the edges—it takes about 5 minutes and smells absolutely irresistible!
Step 2: Brown the Ground Chicken
Add the ground chicken straight to the skillet with softened onions. Use a spatula to break it up into chunks as it cooks, stirring occasionally, until it’s browned and cooked through. This builds the hearty, juicy base for your Chicken Parmesan Sloppy Joe’s.
Step 3: Add Zucchini & Italian Seasoning
Once your chicken is cooked, stir in the shredded zucchini and Italian seasoning. Let everything cook together for another 3–4 minutes—the zucchini will soften and add a lovely moisture to the filling without taking over the flavor.
Step 4: Pour in the Marinara
Pour in the marinara sauce and let the mixture simmer for another 5 minutes. This step infuses the chicken with classic, savory-sweet tomato flavor and helps everything meld into that saucy Sloppy Joe consistency we love.
Step 5: Melt in the Cheese
Sprinkle the shredded Italian cheese evenly over the chicken mixture, turn the heat to low, and cover the skillet until the cheese is melted, about 4–5 minutes. If your skillet is oven-safe, you can pop it under the broiler for cheese that’s bubbly and lightly golden!
Step 6: Make the Buttery Breadcrumbs
While the chicken filling simmers, heat butter in a small skillet. Add the breadcrumbs and a pinch of salt, stirring constantly until they’re nicely golden and crisp—about 2–3 minutes. They bring that irresistible, toasty crunch reminiscent of classic Chicken Parm.
Step 7: Assemble & Serve
To serve, toast your brioche buns until golden and pile them high with the cheesy chicken mixture. Sprinkle generously with buttery breadcrumbs before diving in for the perfect bite—messy hands encouraged!
Pro Tips for Making Chicken Parmesan Sloppy Joe’s
- Maximum Flavor Marinara: If using store-bought sauce, jazz it up with an extra pinch of Italian herbs, crushed garlic, or even a splash of balsamic vinegar for bigger flavor.
- Juicy Chicken Every Time: Don’t overcook the chicken—brown it just until done so it stays moist and soaks up the sauce later on.
- Super Golden Breadcrumbs: Stir the breadcrumbs constantly while toasting for even browning—don’t walk away or they’ll burn fast!
- Bun Upgrade: For truly epic Chicken Parmesan Sloppy Joe’s, brush your brioche buns with a little butter before toasting for extra richness.
How to Serve Chicken Parmesan Sloppy Joe’s
Garnishes
Enhance each Sloppy Joe with a sprinkle of fresh basil or parsley for a burst of color and herby freshness. Some shaved Parmesan or a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil over the top can take it from cozy to company-worthy in seconds.
Side Dishes
Pair your Chicken Parmesan Sloppy Joe’s with a simple salad dressed with balsamic vinaigrette, crispy sweet potato fries, or fresh-cut veggies for dipping. For a comforting twist, serve them alongside classic garlic bread or roasted broccoli.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn your Sloppy Joe’s into Chicken Parmesan sliders for parties, or serve the cheesy chicken mixture in lettuce cups for a lighter, finger-friendly option. For a playful family dinner, set up a “Sloppy Joe Bar” with toppings like pepperoni, extra cheese, or mini mozzarella balls!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover chicken mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the toasted buns and breadcrumbs separate so everything stays fresh and the breadcrumbs remain deliciously crisp.
Freezing
The chicken mixture freezes beautifully! Cool completely, then store in freezer-safe containers or zip-top bags for up to 2 months. Wait to make the breadcrumb topping and toast the buns fresh when you’re ready to eat.
Reheating
Reheat the chicken mixture gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or extra marinara if needed to loosen it up. Toast buns and make fresh breadcrumbs, then assemble for the best texture and taste.
FAQs
-
Can I use ground turkey or beef instead of chicken?
Absolutely! Ground turkey or beef both work well — just keep in mind that the flavor will shift slightly, but you’ll still get that saucy, cheesy, Sloppy Joe experience. Use whichever protein you or your family likes best.
-
Do I have to peel the zucchini?
Nope! Just give the zucchini a wash and shred away. The skin softens as it cooks and adds a little color and nutrients to the Chicken Parmesan Sloppy Joe’s filling.
-
Can I make Chicken Parmesan Sloppy Joe’s ahead of time?
You sure can! The chicken mixture can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in the fridge. When ready to serve, reheat gently, toast your buns, make fresh breadcrumbs, and assemble for the best flavor and crunch.
-
What’s the best way to keep the breadcrumbs crunchy?
Store the buttered breadcrumbs separately at room temperature and add them right before serving. This way, they stay perfectly crisp and add that irresistible crunch to every bite.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving all of the flavors of Chicken Parmesan in a fuss-free, family-friendly way, these Chicken Parmesan Sloppy Joe’s are calling your name. I hope you love every saucy, cheesy, crunchy bite — and maybe even make them your new weeknight go-to!
PrintChicken Parmesan Sloppy Joe’s Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Stovetop
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
A delicious twist on the classic Sloppy Joe, these Chicken Parmesan Sloppy Joe’s feature ground chicken cooked with onions, zucchini, Italian seasoning, marinara sauce, and melted Italian cheese, served on toasted Brioche buns and topped with buttered breadcrumbs.
Ingredients
Main Sloppy Joe:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 white onion, diced
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 cup shredded zucchini (about 1 small zucchini)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded Italian cheese
Buttered Breadcrumbs:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- Salt, to taste
For Serving:
- 4 Brioche buns
Instructions
- Main Sloppy Joe: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Cook diced onion until softened, about 5 minutes. Add ground chicken, cooking until browned. Stir in shredded zucchini and Italian seasoning; cook for 3-4 minutes. Add marinara sauce and cook for another 5 minutes. Sprinkle shredded Italian cheese on top, reduce heat, cover until melted, about 4-5 minutes.
- Buttered Breadcrumbs: In a separate pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add breadcrumbs, stir to coat with butter, season with salt. Cook until golden, about 2-3 minutes.
- Serve the chicken mixture on toasted Brioche buns, topped with buttered breadcrumbs. Enjoy!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 95mg