Description
A delicious twist on classic sloppy joes featuring lean ground chicken cooked in a savory marinara and basil pesto sauce, topped with Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses, and served on toasted brioche buns for a rich, comforting meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Sloppy Joe 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
Buns and Toppings
- 4 brioche buns
- 1/4 cup garlic margarine or butter
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F to prepare for toasting the brioche buns later.
- Cook Ground Chicken: Place the ground chicken in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, breaking it apart carefully with a spatula as it cooks to ensure even browning.
- Add Onions: Once the chicken starts cooking, add the diced yellow onions and stir them with the chicken until combined well.
- Simmer with Sauce: After the chicken is fully cooked, pour in the marinara sauce, basil pesto, salt, and pepper. Stir the mixture thoroughly so every piece is coated.
- Add Parmesan Cheese: Reduce the heat to low and sprinkle in the shredded Parmesan cheese. Stir well and let the mixture simmer gently while you prepare the buns.
- Toast the Buns: Arrange the brioche buns cut-side up on a baking sheet. Spread garlic margarine evenly over each bun. Place them in the preheated oven and toast for 5 minutes until golden and slightly crispy.
- Assemble the Sloppy Joes: Remove the toasted buns from the oven. Spoon the hot chicken mixture generously onto the bottom half of each bun. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese and place the top halves of the buns on each sandwich.
- Serve: Serve the chicken Parmesan sloppy joes immediately while warm and enjoy the gooey cheesy goodness.
Notes
- Using lean ground chicken keeps this recipe healthier while still delivering great flavor.
- You can substitute garlic margarine with regular butter mixed with minced garlic if preferred.
- For a spicier twist, add red pepper flakes to the sauce mixture.
- Make sure to toast the buns to add texture and prevent sogginess from the sauce.
- Leftover sloppy joe mixture can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stove or microwave.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Chicken Parmesan, Sloppy Joes, Ground Chicken Sandwich, Easy Dinner, Comfort Food, Brioche Buns, Marinara Sauce
