{Healthier} Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joes
Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joes give you spicy chicken wing flavor in a family favorite weeknight dinner made healthier and topped with a Greek yogurt blue cheese dressing. It’s getting hot in here!! This week, #SundaySupper is Spicin’ it Up and bringing you recipes with a kick.
{Healthier} Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joes -> CLICK HERE TO PIN THIS RECIPE
buOriginally published on August 11, 2013. Updated on February 1, 2017.
Are you friends with your mom on Facebook? I am. It’s simultaneously awesome and annoying. I am in New Jersey, and she is in Delaware, and we have always been very close, so it is nice to see what each other is up to, she gets to see photos of the boys, we can “chit chat” even when I can’t sit down and have a phone conversation without someone needing to be fed, a diaper changed, in and out and in and out of the minivan, “Mommy mommy mommy mommy” echoing in the background (or in my face).
MY LATEST VIDEOSBut then if I mention that The Bug might be sick or Smiles isn’t sleeping or I’m in a crappy mood, she’s gotta be a typical mom and tell me what she thinks, or have I thought about this, or did I check on that, or am I sure he doesn’t need this. I know it is just because she cares and she loves us, but like any typical daughter, I don’t always wanna hear it. I know, I know, if I don’t want people to tell me things I don’t want to hear, don’t post on Facebook. OK, you spend day in and day out with a control-freak toddler/preschooler who has had to adjust to life with a new sibling and an infant who clearly has not read the books that detail when and how much infants are “supposed” to sleep, and tell me you don’t need to just vent somewhere, anywhere, without actually screaming at your kids, and the iPhone and Facebook app are the closest thing at hand. Guilty as charged.
She also reads my blog sometimes, so I am probably gonna get a beat down for this. Actually, I don’t think she reads the blog. She just Likes everything I post… on Facebook.
So anyway, Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joes have made their way into our dinner rotation pretty frequently over the past several months.
When mom saw me post it on Facebook, she wanted the recipe. Actually, she really just wanted me to make them for her which I did. And now she has the recipe, so she can make them herself.
By using lean ground chicken, and not loading it up with butter or oil, this is a great way to get your Buffalo fix in a healthier way. I also sneak in some veggies by adding diced carrots. If you want the whole wings with carrot and celery stick experience, sub half the carrots with celery, but we aren’t big celery fans here. And I like to use my Greek Yogurt Blue Cheese Dressing, but feel free to use your favorite bottle version or recipe, or just sprinkle on some crumbled blue cheese.
If you really want to go all healthy, instead of the roll (though I did use whole wheat for the boys and gluten free for me), put it on a salad, like I showed you on Instagram the other day.
If you like your buffalo wingless, I’ve got you covered:
- Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Sandwiches
- Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese
- Buffalo Bacon Blue Dip
- Buffalo Blue Cheese Deviled Eggs
And here’s a few more from my foodie friends:
- Buffalo Cauliflower from Persnickety Plates
- Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad from Heather’s French Press
- Grilled Buffalo Shrimp Po’ Boys from Mother Thyme
- Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas from A Kitchen Addiction
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Here’s the Healthier Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joes recipe…
{Healthier} Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon oil
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
- 1 cup diced carrots or a mixture of carrots and celery
- salt & pepper
- 1 lb lean ground chicken
- 8 oz tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup hot sauce (I used Frank's Red Hot. Use more or less, depending on how spicy you like it.)
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- Greek Yogurt Blue Cheese Dressing or your favorite blue cheese dressing, or crumbled blue cheese
- 4 Rolls for serving
Instructions
- Heat oil in a saute pan over medium heat.
- Add onions, carrots (and celery, if using), and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Cook for 5-6 minutes, or until onions are becoming translucent and vegetables are softening.
- Add the ground chicken, and cook until done, breaking up the meat as it cooks.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, hot sauce, and Worcestershire, and simmer for several minutes, until heated through.
- Spoon onto rolls and top with blue cheese dressing or crumbles for serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Enjoy!
Snappy Starters & Snacks
Hatch Chile, Grape & Grilled Onion Salsa from Shockingly Delicious
Spicy Tempeh Chips from The Urban Mrs
Sriracha Popcorn from The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
Cheese, Smoked Paprika and Fennel Crackers from What Smells So Good?
Baked Banana Pepper Poppers from Daily Dish Recipes
Spicy Black Bean and Corn Stew from Mama’s Blissful
Bites
Caldo de Camaron y Pescado (Shrimp & Fish Soup) from girlichef
Bajia with Tomato and Chili Chutney from My cute bride
Shredded Buffalo Chicken Salad from Casa de Crews
Sriracha and Parmesan Fries from Mess Makes Food
Smoky Salmon Chowder from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
Hummus with Spicy Turkish Ezme Salad from Neighborfood
Goat Cheese Stuffed Peppedew Peppers from Healthy. Delicious.
Tofu Hariyali Kebabs-(Tofu Kebabs in Cilantro Sauce) from Soni’s Food
Fiery Main Dishes
Spicy Stuffed Mexican Peppers from Peanut Butter and Peppers
Jalapeno Popper Fettuccine Alfredo from Chocolate Moosey
Baked Tilapia en Escabeche from La Cocina de Leslie
Spicy Grilled Chicken Wings with Two Dipping Sauces from Runner’s Tales
Chorizo and Scallop Skewers from Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
Buffalo Chicken Pizza from Cookin’ Mimi
Thai Cashew Chicken from Doggie at the Dinner Table
Skillet Jambalaya from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
Firecracker Chicken from Juanita’s Cocina
Spiced Turkey Burger Patties from Cook the Story
Aubergine and Chickpea Curry from Small Wallet, Big Appetite
Savory Tomato & Poblano Pie from An Appealing Plan
Venison Mole Rojo from Curious Cuisiniere
Za’atar Chicken with Fattoush from Food Lust People Love
Crispy Oven Fried Buffalo Chicken Tenders from In The Kitchen With KP
Skinny Buffalo Chicken Strips from Webicurean
BBQ Chicken Pizza with Poblano Peppers and Pepitas from The Wimpy Vegetarian
Spicy Thai Beef Salad from Magnolia Days
Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joes from Cupcakes & Kale Chips
Spicy Lemon Paprika Chicken Thighs from Family Foodie
Searing Sauces & Seasonings
Homemade Buffalo Sauce from Growing Up Gabel
Whole grain Mustard recipe – Moutarde à l’ancienne from Masala Herb
Homemade Sriracha Sauce from kimchi MOM
Zesty Sweets & Sips
Cinnamon Streusel Scones from Killer Bunnies, Inc
Fiery Pomelo from My Other City By The Bay
Cinnamon Monkey Bread from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Cinnamon Peanut Butter Skillet Blondies with Ice Cream from Vintage Kitchen Notes
Goldilocks and the 3 Asian-Fusion Bars from NinjaBaking.com
DON’T MISS OUT! MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW ME FOR YUMMY RECIPES!
Sarah says
Wondering if I can add an egg and make these as a solid burger?? What do you think? I’ve has them as sloppy Joe’s and they are amazing!!!!! Just kind of wanted to be able to put them on the grill
Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Sarah, I’m not confident that this ratio of ingredients will work for burgers. I cook the ground chicken before I add the sauce for the sloppy joes. I think if you try to do that with uncooked chicken, there will be too much moisture to hold the burgers together. If you find a way to make it work, please let me know!
Jill says
Made this … my family loved it! I had mine on lettuce leaves and was super tasty. Thank you for this healthier version. No guilt whatsoever.
Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
I’m so happy that you enjoyed the sloppy joes, Jill. I love your idea of serving it as lettuce wraps!
Amy @ These Wild Acres says
These look amazing! I’ve been craving something with a little kick…
Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Thank you, Amy!
kim says
DELICIOUS!!!! Whole family loved these tonight! Awesome recipe and super easy!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Oh great, thanks for letting me know!
Heather @ French Presss says
they look SO good! I LOVE my buffalo sauce
Jocelyn@brucrewlife says
I can totally relate about your mom! Haha! What’s sad is someday we will be THAT mom! Love this recipe!!
Brianne Izzo says
Thanks Jocelyn. Yes, I suppose it comes full circle eventually.
Carrie @ Frugal Foodie Mama says
These sandwiches look so good! We are huge buffalo chicken fans in this house, so I will have to make these soon. 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing at Marvelous Mondays this week!
Courtney @ Neighborfood says
Buffalo chicken + healthy??? I never thought I would see the day. I love this idea. Lately I’ve been throwing all sorts of our leftovers on salad greens for lunch the next day, so I can totally see this being a great salad too. Thanks for sharing!
Brianne Izzo says
I love making salads form my leftovers! And I love Buffalo so much I had to find a way to make it healthier, so I can eat it more.
Laura | Small Wallet, Big Appetite says
What a great idea, I can’t wait to see if Morgan will give this recipe a try. Life with a 2 year old is a bit hit and miss in the food department but I know her dad and I would love it so hopefully it will be a family winner. 🙂
Brianne Izzo says
That is the good thing about this recipe – you can cut the hot sauce in the pan to make it more tomatoey, then add more on your own sandwich.
Renee says
My mom is not on facebook but she reads my posts because she subscribes to my blog email. I don’t think she has actually visited my blog more than once. She will call me and want to come over to have the cake or whatever and I have to keep explaining that by the time it is on my blog it is gone.
Carla says
The day my mom is on my Facebook, the apocalypse is coming. She can’t even turn on the computer. We taught her, she took classes, but she just doesn’t get it. Now my dad on the other hand. He graduated to texting me sentences and knows how to like a page for a contest. Still deciding on if he reads my blog regularly.
Anyway, when I heard the title, I need I would absolutely love these. Then I’m wondering duh why didn’t I think of this 😉 Pinned!
Brianne Izzo says
My mom shocked us all – the first time I tried to teach her a bit about the computer, she couldn’t find the power button. Now she uses an iPad!
Amy Kim (@kimchi_mom) says
I love sloppy joes and this Buffalo version sounds awesome! Thanks for sharing!
Brianne Izzo says
Thanks for hosting this week!!
Meghan @ The Tasty Fork says
I love buffalo anything! This is a great twist on the everyday sloppy joe recipe! I’ll totally make it!!
Brianne Izzo says
It is a great, easy way to get a buffalo fix and a change from usual sloppy joes.
Melissa {Persnickety Plates} says
My mom doesn’t have a FB, thankfully 🙂
I’ve never cooked with ground chicken but these look good!
& thank you for mentioning my Buffalo Cauliflower – you’ve been sending me lots of traffic =)
Brianne Izzo says
Oh, I am glad! I love the buffalo cauliflower, though I originally saw another recipe with gluten free flour. But I was happy to share yours!! And I only use ground chicken in something line this with a ton of added flavor and moisture. Kinda bland otherwise.
Melanie @ Just Some Salt and Pepper says
These look delicious! I refuse to friend my father on FB 😉 There’s no reason for me not to, I just do it on principle.
Brianne Izzo says
Thanks! I am friends with my dad, but he doesn’t use it. Mom just loves to see the boys everyday!
Becca from It's Yummi says
Brianne, my friend… you are a culinary GENIUS!
These look amazing and I can’t wait to try them!
Brianne Izzo says
Well genius may be a bit of a stretch, but they are super tasty. Thanks Becca!
Sarah Reid, RHNC (@jo_jo_ba) says
Yum!! Buffalo wings on a bun :-). How can you go wrong
Brianne Izzo says
I know, right?! 🙂
The Ninja Baker says
Spectacular supper for Sunday or any night of the week, Brianne. Love the Blue Cheese Greek Yogurt dressing, idea, too.
P.s. Thank you for sharing about your mother <3 It is nice that you are so close and that she's FB savvy.
Brianne Izzo says
I eat the greek yogurt blue cheese all the time! And this has become a staple weeknight meal for us.
Liz says
I think I was over regular sloppy joe’s in about 3rd grade. Yours, on the other hand, look irresistible!!!
Brianne Izzo says
Thanks Liz! I honestly can’t remember the last time I had one from the can stuff, but now I want to make more homemade versions. The Bug loved it.
Paula @ Vintage Kitchen Notes says
My mom calls a million times a day, maybe I should show her how to use fb… The idea of healthier sloppy joe´s is awesome, especially in a chicken version!
Brianne Izzo says
Haha, my mom knows that half the time I can’t pick up anymore!
Jen @JuanitasCocina says
I can eat two and not even feel guilty! 😀
Brianne Izzo says
Absolutely!!!
Helene D'souza says
People have given up on facebook ages ago, so I don’t have to worry if my mum reads my fb posts. =D
A healthier version of buffalo chicken, no way! I could need this now. Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Brianne Izzo says
My mom is obsesed – as a former teach, she likes to keep up on her old students. I love any way I can get buffalo chicken in a healthier way!