Craving a mouthwatering meal that won't derail your health goals? Get ready to fall in love with these Skinny Chicken Sloppy Joes - a game-changing twist on the classic comfort food that's both incredibly delicious and surprisingly nutritious! Imagine tender, perfectly seasoned ground chicken simmered to perfection in a rich, tangy sauce, all nestled between toasted whole wheat buns. This recipe is about to become your new weeknight dinner hero, proving that healthy eating can be both easy and irresistibly tasty!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 6 hrs
Total Time: 6 hrs 10 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 cup onion, chopped
- 1 cup bell pepper, chopped
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 6 whole wheat buns
Instructions
- Prepare the vegetables by finely chopping the onion and bell pepper into uniform small pieces to ensure even cooking and distribution throughout the dish.
- In a large slow cooker, add the ground chicken, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon to create a crumbly texture that will absorb the sauce effectively.
- Add the chopped onions and bell peppers directly into the slow cooker with the ground chicken, mixing them together gently to combine.
- Pour the tomato sauce and Worcestershire sauce over the chicken and vegetable mixture, stirring thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are well coated and distributed.
- Season the mixture with salt and pepper, adjusting to your personal taste preferences. Mix well to incorporate the seasonings evenly.
- Cover the slow cooker and set to low heat. Cook for 6 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the chicken to become tender and easily shredded.
- Approximately 30 minutes before serving, use two forks to shred the chicken and mix it with the sauce, creating a cohesive sloppy joe mixture.
- Toast the whole wheat buns lightly to add a crisp texture and prevent them from becoming soggy when serving.
- Spoon the hot chicken sloppy joe mixture generously onto the prepared buns, ensuring each serving has an equal amount of meat and sauce.
- Serve immediately while hot, optionally garnishing with additional chopped herbs or a sprinkle of low-fat cheese if desired.
Tips
- Chop your vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent flavor distribution.
- Break the ground chicken into small, crumbly pieces to help it absorb the sauce more effectively.
- For maximum flavor, resist the urge to lift the slow cooker lid during cooking - let the magic happen undisturbed!
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, leave the lid slightly ajar during the last 30 minutes of cooking to allow some liquid to evaporate.
- Toast the buns just before serving to prevent sogginess and add a delightful crispy texture.
- For extra nutrition, consider adding finely chopped spinach or grated carrots to the mixture.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and make an excellent next-day lunch option.
- For a low-carb version, serve the sloppy joe mixture over cauliflower rice or in lettuce wraps.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 265kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 40mg
