Spicy & Saucy Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joes: A Weeknight Dinner Winner!
Forget boring weeknight dinners! These Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joes are about to become your new go-to meal. They’re packed with flavor, easy to make, and require minimal ingredients, making them perfect for busy weeknights. Imagine juicy shredded chicken simmered in a spicy, tangy buffalo sauce, piled high on a toasted bun. Are you drooling yet? Let’s get cooking!
Why You’ll Love These Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joes
- Quick and Easy: From start to finish, this recipe comes together in under 30 minutes.
- Flavor-Packed: The combination of buffalo sauce, creamy ranch dressing (or blue cheese, if you prefer!), and juicy chicken is simply irresistible.
- Customizable: Adjust the heat level to your liking, and add your favorite toppings.
- Budget-Friendly: Chicken is a relatively inexpensive protein, making this a great option for feeding a family on a budget.
- Crowd-Pleasing: Everyone loves a good sloppy joe, and the buffalo chicken twist takes it to the next level.
- Perfect for Leftovers: These sloppy joes are even better the next day!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll need to make these delicious Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joes. Don’t worry, most of these are pantry staples!
- Chicken: 1.5 – 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs. You can also use shredded rotisserie chicken for an even quicker meal!
- Buffalo Wing Sauce: Choose your favorite brand and heat level. Frank’s RedHot is a classic choice, but feel free to experiment.
- Ranch Dressing (or Blue Cheese Dressing): This adds creaminess and tanginess. Use your favorite brand, or make your own!
- Celery: 1/2 cup, finely diced. Celery adds a refreshing crunch and classic buffalo flavor.
- Onion: 1/2 cup, finely diced. Yellow or white onion works best.
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced. Garlic adds a savory depth of flavor.
- Butter: 2 tablespoons. Used to sauté the onion and garlic, adding richness to the sauce.
- Worcestershire Sauce: 1 tablespoon. This adds umami and depth of flavor.
- Brown Sugar: 1 tablespoon. Balances the acidity of the buffalo sauce.
- Chili Powder: 1 teaspoon. Adds a subtle smoky flavor.
- Salt and Pepper: To taste.
- Hamburger Buns: Your favorite type of hamburger buns. Brioche buns are a great option.
- Optional Toppings: Shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled blue cheese, sliced green onions, avocado slices, a drizzle of ranch or blue cheese dressing.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Large Skillet or Dutch Oven: For cooking the chicken and simmering the sauce.
- Cutting Board and Knife: For chopping the vegetables.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: For accurate measuring of ingredients.
- Fork or Two Forks: For shredding the chicken.
- Toaster or Oven: For toasting the buns (optional).
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s how to make these mouthwatering Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joes:
- Cook the Chicken: There are several ways to cook the chicken for this recipe. Choose the method that works best for you:
- Boiling: Place the chicken breasts in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F or 74°C).
- Baking: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the chicken breasts on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through.
- Slow Cooker: Place the chicken breasts in a slow cooker. Add 1/2 cup of chicken broth or water. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, or until the chicken is easily shredded.
- Instant Pot: Place the chicken breasts in the Instant Pot. Add 1 cup of chicken broth or water. Cook on high pressure for 8-10 minutes, followed by a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then a quick release.
- Shredded Rotisserie Chicken: If you’re short on time, use pre-cooked shredded rotisserie chicken. You’ll need about 3-4 cups of shredded chicken.
- Shred the Chicken: Once the chicken is cooked, let it cool slightly. Then, use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and celery and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- Make the Buffalo Sauce: Add the shredded chicken, buffalo wing sauce, ranch dressing (or blue cheese dressing), Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and chili powder to the skillet. Stir to combine.
- Simmer the Sloppy Joe Mixture: Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly and the flavors have melded together. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Taste and Adjust Seasoning: Taste the sloppy joe mixture and adjust the seasoning as needed. Add more buffalo sauce for extra heat, or more ranch dressing for extra creaminess. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Toast the Buns (Optional): While the sloppy joe mixture is simmering, toast the hamburger buns in a toaster or in the oven.
- Assemble the Sloppy Joes: Spoon the buffalo chicken sloppy joe mixture onto the toasted hamburger buns.
- Add Toppings: Add your favorite toppings, such as shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled blue cheese, sliced green onions, or avocado slices.
- Serve and Enjoy! Serve immediately and enjoy!
Tips and Variations
- Adjust the Heat Level: Use mild, medium, or hot buffalo sauce depending on your preference. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper for extra heat.
- Use Different Cheeses: Try using Monterey Jack cheese, pepper jack cheese, or provolone cheese instead of cheddar cheese.
- Add Some Veggies: Add other vegetables to the skillet, such as diced bell peppers, carrots, or mushrooms.
- Make it Healthier: Use ground chicken or turkey instead of chicken breasts. Use light ranch dressing or Greek yogurt instead of regular ranch dressing. Serve on whole wheat buns.
- Make it Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free buns and gluten-free Worcestershire sauce.
- Make it Ahead: The buffalo chicken sloppy joe mixture can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Simply reheat before serving.
- Serve it as a Dip: Serve the buffalo chicken sloppy joe mixture as a dip with tortilla chips or celery sticks.
- Add Some Crunch: Top the sloppy joes with crumbled tortilla chips or fried onions for extra crunch.
- Spice it up with Jalapenos: Add diced jalapenos to the mixture for an extra kick.
Serving Suggestions
These Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joes are delicious on their own, but they also pair well with a variety of side dishes:
- Coleslaw: A classic side dish for sloppy joes.
- Potato Salad: Another classic side dish that complements the flavors of the sloppy joes.
- Macaroni Salad: A creamy and comforting side dish.
- French Fries: A crowd-pleasing side dish that’s always a hit.
- Sweet Potato Fries: A healthier alternative to french fries.
- Onion Rings: Crispy and flavorful, onion rings are a perfect complement to sloppy joes.
- Corn on the Cob: A fresh and seasonal side dish.
- Green Salad: A light and refreshing side dish.
- Chips and Dip: A simple and easy side dish.
Storage Instructions
Leftover buffalo chicken sloppy joe mixture can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet or microwave until heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I use ground chicken instead of chicken breasts?
A: Yes, you can definitely use ground chicken or ground turkey. Brown the ground meat in the skillet before adding the other ingredients.
Q: Can I make this recipe in a slow cooker?
A: Yes, you can! Place all the ingredients (except the buns and toppings) in a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Shred the chicken with two forks before serving.
Q: Can I freeze the sloppy joe mixture?
A: Yes, you can freeze the sloppy joe mixture. Let it cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Q: Can I use blue cheese instead of ranch dressing?
A: Absolutely! Blue cheese dressing is a classic pairing with buffalo chicken. Use your favorite brand or make your own.
Q: How do I make this recipe spicier?
A: Add more buffalo sauce, a pinch of cayenne pepper, or diced jalapenos to the mixture.
Q: Can I make this recipe without celery?
A: Yes, you can omit the celery if you don’t have any on hand or if you don’t like it.
Nutritional Information (Approximate)
(Based on one serving – approximately 1/6 of the total recipe, excluding bun and toppings)
- Calories: Approximately 350-450
- Protein: 30-40g
- Fat: 20-30g
- Carbohydrates: 10-20g
Note: Nutritional information can vary depending on the specific ingredients used.
More Delicious Buffalo Chicken Recipes
If you love buffalo chicken, be sure to check out these other tasty recipes:
- Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Buffalo Chicken Wings
- Buffalo Chicken Pizza
- Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
- Buffalo Chicken Salad
Conclusion
These Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joes are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for any occasion. They’re quick, easy, and bursting with flavor. So, ditch the boring weeknight dinners and give this recipe a try! You won’t be disappointed. Don’t forget to share your creations with us on social media using #BuffaloChickenSloppyJoes!
Printable Recipe
(Copy and paste the ingredient list and instructions above into a document for easy printing.)
Enjoy your delicious and spicy Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joes! We hope you love them as much as we do.