These homemade Chicken Sloppy Janes are like Sloppy Joes but made with tender and juicy shredded chicken instead of ground beef. This recipe is quick and easy, and healthy with no preservatives or additives.
The other night, David and I had a plan to get our commuter car serviced after work. After the appointment, I would go home and throw some Mediterranean Chicken in the oven for supper because it is something quick and easy. Well, that was the plan until I realized on the way home I had used up every bit of the feta cheese we had on the Spinach Feta Pizza we had for Meatless Monday.
As I drove home, I started going over the ingredients I had and what we could make instead. David had a few suggestions. However, there were too many ingredients we would still need and I didn’t want to stop at the store.
It was getting late and it took everything in me not to stop at a restaurant before heading out of the city. The chicken was defrosted and we had to do something with it or it would spoil.
I ran the ingredient list back through my mind again and realized I had everything to make Sloppy Joes. But instead of hamburger, I had chicken.
It just so happen to be National Sloppy Joe day. So, why not try chicken instead of beef in the Sloppy Joes?
We love Sloppy Joes, especially since they don’t come out of a can anymore. David was game so when we finally arrived on the mountain, I changed my clothes and began making Chicken Sloppy Janes.
Homemade Sloppy Joes, made with chicken instead of ground beef. This recipe is healthy with no preservatives or additives.
Let’s make Chicken Sloppy Janes!
How To Make Chicken Sloppy Janes
Heat oil in a nonstick pot or skillet over medium-high heat.
Lightly salt and pepper the chicken breast. Carefully place the chicken breasts in the pan starting with one end closest to you to avoid splattering hot oil on yourself.
Do not overcrowd the chicken and allow even spacing between the chicken breasts.
After about 6 to 7 minutes, flip the chicken. Cook the second side for about an additional 6 to 7 minutes.
Check the thickest part of the breasts with an instant-read thermometer. The chicken is ready when the temperature has reached 165 degrees F.
Remove the chicken to a plate or cutting board and let it rest for five minutes.
Meanwhile, chop up the garlic, onion, red pepper and jalapeno. Set aside.
Once the chicken has cooled to touch, begin to cut it into bite-size chunks and then shred the chicken using two forks, pulling in opposite directions.
Next, add the onion, garlic, jalapeno, and red pepper into the same pot used to cook the chicken, cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Once the onions and peppers are soft and begin to wilt, add the shredded chicken back into the pot and stir.
Pull the veggies and shredded chicken to one side of the pot, then add the tomato paste directly to the bottom of the pot and allow it to brown. Once the paste is a nice rust color, stir it around with the chicken mixture until well-distributed.
Stir in the tomato sauce and the rest of the ingredients, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
As the mixture simmers it will begin to loosen up a bit and form a nice sauce-like texture.
Serve the Chicken Sloppy Janes on a bun or on open face sandwich bread.
Using up all that feta cheese was a great mishap. The Sloppy Joe mixture turned out great! If you are wondering why I am calling them Sloppy Janes, I can explain. According to a blog post by John-Bryan, Sloppy Joes have many aliases.
Since the chicken made this a much lighter variation I decided that the name “JOE” was too heavy. “JANE” seems a little lighter and I thought it was perfect for this recipe.
What do you think?
Chicken Sloppy Janes
Ingredients
- 2 whole chicken boneless-skinless chicken breasts
- Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 onion diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 ½ tablespoons pickled jalapenos diced
- 2 teaspoons pickled jalapeno juice
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 15 ounce can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon molasses
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1 tablespoon prepared mustard
- Bread or buns for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Heat oil in a nonstick pot or skillet over medium-high heat. Lightly salt and pepper the chicken breast. Carefully place the chicken breasts in the pan starting with one end closest to you to avoid splattering hot oil on yourself. After about 6 to 7 minutes, flip the chicken. Cook the second side for about an additional 6 to 7 minutes.Check the thickest part of the breasts with an instant-read thermometer. The chicken is ready when the temperature has reached 165 degrees F.
- Meanwhile, chop up the garlic, onion, red pepper and jalapeno. Set aside.
- Once the chicken has cooled to touch, begin to cut it into bite-size chunks and then shred the chicken using two forks, pulling in opposite directions.
- Next, add the onion, garlic, jalapeno, and red pepper into the same pot used to cook the chicken, cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Once the onions and peppers are soft and begin to wilt, add the shredded chicken back into the pot and stir.
- Pull the veggies and shredded chicken to one side of the pot, then add the tomato paste directly to the bottom of the pot and allow it to brown. Once the paste is a nice rust color, stir it around with the chicken mixture until well-distributed.
- Stir in the tomato sauce and the rest of the ingredients, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. As the mixture simmers it will begin to loosen up a bit and form a nice sauce-like texture.
- Serve the Chicken Sloppy Janes on a bun or on open face sandwich bread.
Anna Buckley says
I love your story…nothing in the fridge? Always something in a cooks fridge! Cheaper and quicker than take-out…and a new recipe for the blog (and us).
The Mountain Kitchen says
Thank you Anna! I really liked this recipe. It was no way as heavy as the traditional ground beef version. Hope you’ll give it a try! 😉
Rachel says
Yummmmmm the husband will love these. & I like calling them Janes. Much cuter 🙂
The Mountain Kitchen says
Oh, Rachel you have to make them! They were really good and I didn’t feel all beefed up afterwards. 🙂
Cheryl "Cheffie Cooks" Wiser says
WooHoo I love improvising. Some great recipes have resulted in mishaps I believe. I have a crazy recipe on TK its called Sloppy George’s using Ground Turkey-who says it has to be Sloppy Joes. I like your Sloppy Janes.
Dana @ IveGotCake says
Way to work with what you’ve got Debbie!!
Chicken gets a bad rap for being boring so thank you for making this.
And giving me new ideas for this underrated meat 😀
The Mountain Kitchen says
I spiced it up, Dana!!
Samuel Thomas says
Great take on a classic and I love the happy accident with the feta. These look so delicious!
Samuel xx
The Mountain Kitchen says
Hey Samuel! These are quick and easy. I think you should try them.