Quick Chicken Parmesan Sloppy Joes Recipe For Family Fun

Sizzling and packed with flavor, these chicken parmesan sloppy joes blend the best of two beloved comfort foods into one irresistible meal.

The classic Italian-American combination melts perfectly between soft burger buns, creating a hearty dish that sparks excitement at the dinner table.

Tender chicken mingles with rich marinara sauce, generating a mouthwatering blend of textures and tastes.

Melted cheese adds a golden, gooey layer that takes this recipe from ordinary to extraordinary.

Weeknight dinners demand quick, delicious solutions, and this recipe delivers with minimal effort and maximum satisfaction.

Every bite promises a delightful explosion of savory goodness that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Dive into this crowd-pleasing recipe and transform your typical meal into a memorable culinary adventure.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 480 kcal

Servings: 5

Chicken Parmesan Sloppy Joes Ingredient Guide

• Ground Chicken: Lean and juicy protein that creates the hearty foundation of the sloppy joe, choose fresh ground chicken with minimal fat content for best texture.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds rich, nutty depth and helps bind the meat mixture, select freshly grated cheese for maximum flavor intensity.

• Marinara Sauce: Provides tangy tomato base that elevates the entire dish, opt for high-quality jarred sauce or homemade version with robust tomato notes.
• Basil Pesto: Introduces aromatic herbal complexity, look for authentic pesto with bright green color and fresh basil aroma.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and amplify overall taste profile, use freshly ground black pepper for maximum zesty kick.

• Brioche Buns: Soft, buttery bread that serves as delicious vessel for sloppy joe mixture, choose golden-brown buns with slight sweetness.
• Garlic Margarine: Adds savory richness when toasting buns, select margarine with pronounced garlic flavor.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Provides creamy, melty topping that complements chicken mixture, use fresh mozzarella for superior stretch and flavor.

Tools You’ll Need for Chicken Parm Sloppy Joes

• Large Sauté Pan: Essential for cooking ground chicken and mixing ingredients.
• Baking Sheet: Needed for toasting brioche buns in the oven.
• Spatula or Wooden Spoon: Perfect for crumbling and stirring chicken while cooking.
• Measuring Spoons: Helpful for adding precise amounts of salt, pepper, and seasonings.
• Cheese Grater: Optional for fresh Parmesan if not using pre-shredded cheese.
• Oven Mitts: Crucial for safely handling hot baking sheet and removing toasted buns.

Making Chicken Parmesan Sloppy Joes Easily

• Preparation Station

Set up your cooking workspace with all necessary tools and ingredients, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable cooking experience.

• Chicken Foundation

Brown ground chicken in a large pan, breaking it into small pieces while cooking over medium-high heat.

• Flavor Builders

Introduce diced onions to the chicken, creating a rich and aromatic base for the sloppy joes.

• Sauce Magic

Stir in marinara sauce, basil pesto, and seasonings, transforming the simple chicken mixture into a zesty filling.

• Cheese Charm

Lower heat and sprinkle Parmesan cheese, allowing it to melt and blend seamlessly with the chicken mixture.

• Bun Transformation

Spread garlic margarine on brioche buns and toast in a preheated oven until golden and crispy.

• Final Assembly

Layer the spiced chicken mixture onto the toasted buns, crown with melted mozzarella, and complete with the top bun.

Customizing Chicken Parm Joes with Add-ins

• Swap ground chicken with ground turkey or lean beef for different flavor profiles and protein options.
• Add red pepper flakes or hot sauce to increase heat level and create a zesty kick in the sloppy joe mixture.
• Experiment with alternative cheese combinations like provolone, romano, or a blend of Italian cheeses for enhanced depth.
• Prepare the chicken mixture ahead of time and store in refrigerator for up to 3 days, making weeknight dinners faster and easier.
• Replace ground chicken with plant-based crumbles or finely chopped mushrooms for a meat-free version that maintains rich, savory flavors.

Serving Up Chicken Parm Sloppy Joes

• Cheese Lover's Dream Platter: Serve these sloppy joes with extra mozzarella and Parmesan sprinkled on top for maximum cheesy goodness.
• Crispy Side Companions: Pair with golden garlic parmesan fries or a fresh crisp garden salad to balance the rich, saucy burger.
• Fresh Herb Finish: Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley right before serving to add a bright, aromatic touch that elevates the entire dish and brings a pop of color to the plate.
• Dipping Delight: Offer marinara sauce or additional pesto on the side for those who love extra sauce and want to customize their sloppy joe experience.

How to Store Chicken Parm Sloppy Joe Mix

• Meal Planning & Storage Advice
• Smart Batch Cooking: Prepare a double batch of chicken mixture and store half in airtight containers for quick weeknight meals. Refrigerated portions stay fresh for 3-4 days, making meal prep a breeze.
• Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Portion the cooked chicken mixture into freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags. Freeze up to 2 months for convenient future meals. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Lunch Box Hero: Pack the chicken mixture separately from toasted buns to maintain crispness. Reheat filling gently in a microwave or small skillet, ensuring even temperature throughout.
• Bun Freshness Tip: Keep unused brioche buns in their original packaging or a sealed bread box. Store at room temperature for 2-3 days or freeze for extended shelf life. Toast briefly before serving to restore original texture and warmth.

Rustic Chicken Parmesan Sloppy Joes

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Classic Italian-American chicken parmesan sloppy joes merge comfort with excitement in one skillet meal. Melted mozzarella, crispy chicken, and marinara sauce create a delicious twist for you to savor with crusty bread.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound (454 grams) lean ground chicken
• 24 oz (680 grams) marinara sauce
• 1 cup diced yellow onion
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ⅓ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 4 brioche buns
• ¼ cup garlic margarine or butter
• 2 tbsps basil pesto
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Meat Preparation: Sauté ground chicken in a skillet over medium-high heat, meticulously breaking down meat while ensuring uniform cooking and releasing rich flavors.
2. Flavor Enhancement: Integrate diced onions into chicken, stirring continuously to develop a harmonious base, then introduce marinara sauce, basil pesto, salt, and pepper for a robust taste profile.
3. Cheese Infusion: Reduce heat to low, gently fold in Parmesan cheese, allowing ingredients to meld and create a velvety, aromatic mixture that promises depth and complexity.
4. Bun Transformation: Brush brioche buns with garlic-infused margarine, arrange on baking sheet, and toast in a preheated 400°F oven for 5 minutes until edges turn golden and crisp.
5. Assembly Artistry: Layer toasted bottom bun with generous chicken mixture, strategically drape with melted mozzarella cheese, and crown with top bun to complete this gourmet sloppy joe experience.

Notes

• Meat Mastery: Break ground chicken into tiny, even pieces for consistent texture and thorough cooking.
• Flavor Fusion: Stir marinara and pesto thoroughly to create a harmonious, well-blended sauce that coats every chicken morsel.
• Cheese Strategy: Sprinkle Parmesan during low simmer to help cheese melt seamlessly and enhance overall richness.
• Bun Brilliance: Watch brioche carefully during 5-minute toasting to achieve perfect golden-brown crispness without burning.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 480
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg