Homemade Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joes Recipe
A flavorful twist on the classic sloppy joe featuring lean ground chicken simmered in a zesty buffalo wing sauce, combined with sautéed vegetables and topped with a creamy homemade blue cheese ranch sauce. Perfect for a spicy, protein-packed sandwich served on a soft hamburger bun.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Sandwiches
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joes
- 1 pound lean ground chicken or turkey
- ½ yellow onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup low sodium chicken broth or water
- 8 ounce can tomato sauce
- ¼ cup buffalo wing sauce (e.g., Frank’s Buffalo Wing Sauce)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- Hamburger buns for serving
Blue Cheese Ranch Sauce
- 1 cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt
- ⅓ cup crumbled blue cheese
- 3 tablespoons low-fat buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley, crushed
- ¼ teaspoon dried dill
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the vegetables: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and spray it generously with cooking spray or add a tablespoon of oil. Once hot, add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté these vegetables until they begin to soften, about 3 minutes.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, allowing its aroma to infuse the vegetables without burning.
- Cook the chicken: Add the ground chicken to the skillet, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Season with kosher salt and black pepper. Cook the mixture until the chicken is browned and no longer pink, and the vegetables are tender.
- Deglaze the pan: Pour in the chicken broth or water to loosen any browned bits from the skillet’s bottom, stirring well to incorporate the flavors.
- Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together tomato sauce, buffalo wing sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and apple cider vinegar until smooth.
- Simmer the sloppy joe mixture: Pour the buffalo sauce mixture over the cooked chicken and vegetables, stirring to combine thoroughly. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly, coating the chicken evenly.
- Prepare blue cheese ranch sauce: In a separate small bowl, combine Greek yogurt and crumbled blue cheese. Mash the cheese into the yogurt with a fork until blended. Whisk in buttermilk, lemon juice, dried parsley, dried dill, garlic powder, onion powder, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Assemble and serve: Spoon the buffalo chicken sloppy joe mixture onto hamburger buns. Top each with a generous dollop of blue cheese ranch sauce. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- For a milder flavor, reduce the amount of buffalo wing sauce or use a milder wing sauce.
- Use ground turkey instead of chicken if preferred; adjust cooking times accordingly.
- Blue cheese ranch sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Serve with a side of celery sticks or a fresh salad to balance the spicy flavors.
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free hamburger buns.
