Transform a classic comfort food into a Mediterranean delight with these Greek chicken sloppy joes. The savory blend of ground chicken, vibrant veggies, and aromatic spices offers a fresh twist that’s perfect for any weeknight dinner. Serve inside a toasted brioche bun and top with tangy feta and briny kalamata olives for an irresistible meal.
Photos of Greek Chicken Sloppy Joes Recipe
While most ingredients in this recipe are common pantry staples, you may need to pick up kalamata olives and feta cheese if they aren't regularly stocked in your kitchen. These ingredients add a distinctive Mediterranean flair, so don't skip them on your supermarket run.
Ingredients For Greek Chicken Sloppy Joes
Ground chicken: Provides a lean and flavorful base for the dish.
Olive oil: Used for sautéing and adding a rich, fruity undertone.
Red onion: Adds a mild sweetness and some crunch to the mixture.
Green bell pepper: Brings a fresh, slightly bitter flavor and great texture.
Garlic: Enhances the overall flavor with its pungent aroma and taste.
Tomato sauce: Forms the main body of the sauce, providing moisture and a deep tomato flavor.
Chicken broth: Adds depth and a savory note to the sauce.
Tomato paste: Intensifies the tomato flavor and thickens the sauce.
Oregano: Infuses the dish with classic Mediterranean herbiness.
Feta: Offers a tangy, creamy contrast that pairs beautifully with the savory mixture.
Kalamata olives: Add a briny, bold flavor that enhances the Mediterranean theme.
One reader, Cortie Fay says:
This Greek chicken sloppy joes recipe is a delightful twist on a classic! The flavors of feta and kalamata olives blend perfectly with the savory chicken. Quick to make and absolutely delicious, it's a new family favorite.
Techniques Required for Making Greek Chicken Sloppy Joes
How to chop onions: Finely chop the red onion into small, even pieces to ensure they cook evenly and blend well with the other ingredients.
How to chop bell peppers: Dice the green bell pepper into small, uniform pieces to ensure they cook evenly and add a consistent texture to the dish.
How to mince garlic: Mince the garlic cloves finely to release their flavor and ensure they are evenly distributed throughout the dish.
How to brown ground chicken: Cook the ground chicken in a skillet until it is well browned, breaking it apart but leaving some chunks about the size of a raspberry or small grape.
How to reduce a sauce: Continue cooking the mixture until the sauce starts to evaporate and thickens, becoming sloppy in texture.
How To Make Greek Chicken Sloppy Joes
Enjoy a filling meal with this greek chicken Sloppy Joes made with feta cheese, bell peppers, and ground chicken tossed in a tomato sauce.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 1lbground chicken
- 2tbspolive oil
- ½red onion,chopped
- ½cupgreen bell pepper,chopped
- 2garlic cloves,minced
- 1cuptomato sauce
- 1cupchicken broth
- ¼cuptomato paste
- 1tsporegano
- ½cupfeta
- ½cupkalamata olives
Instructions
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Add the chicken, olive oil, onions, and green bell pepper to a large skillet on medium-high heat breaking it apart but leaving some chunks about the size of raspberry or small grape.
-
Cook until well browned for 5 to 6 minutes then add in the garlic, tomato sauce, chicken broth, tomato paste, and oregano.
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Continue cooking until the sauce starts to evaporate and the mixture becomes sloppy for about 5 to 6 minutes.
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When the sauce is reduced, top with feta and olives then serve inside a toasted brioche bun.
Nutrition
- Calories: 353.35kcal
- Fat: 22.77g
- Saturated Fat: 6.84g
- Trans Fat: 0.07g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 11.60g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 2.93g
- Carbohydrates: 13.35g
- Fiber: 2.85g
- Sugar: 7.04g
- Protein: 25.99g
- Cholesterol: 116.01mg
- Sodium: 871.57mg
- Calcium: 142.57mg
- Potassium: 1081.77mg
- Iron: 3.06mg
- Vitamin A: 56.98µg
- Vitamin C: 24.78mg
Technique Tip for Perfecting Greek Chicken Sloppy Joes
To enhance the flavor of the ground chicken, make sure to brown it thoroughly in the olive oil before adding the other ingredients. This caramelization process will add depth and richness to your Greek Chicken Sloppy Joes.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing Greek Chicken Sloppy Joes
Pre-chop vegetables: Chop the red onion, green bell pepper, and garlic cloves ahead of time and store them in the fridge.
Use pre-cooked chicken: Substitute ground chicken with pre-cooked shredded chicken to cut down on cooking time.
One-pot cooking: Use a large skillet to cook everything in one pot, reducing cleanup time.
Pre-measure ingredients: Measure out the tomato sauce, chicken broth, tomato paste, and oregano before starting to streamline the cooking process.
Buy pre-crumbled feta: Save time by using pre-crumbled feta instead of crumbling it yourself.
Substitute Ingredients For Greek Chicken Sloppy Joes Recipe
ground chicken - Substitute with ground turkey: Ground turkey has a similar texture and flavor profile, making it a suitable alternative.
olive oil - Substitute with canola oil: Canola oil has a neutral flavor and similar cooking properties.
red onion - Substitute with yellow onion: Yellow onions provide a similar sweetness and texture when cooked.
green bell pepper - Substitute with red bell pepper: Red bell peppers offer a slightly sweeter flavor but maintain the same crunch and texture.
garlic cloves - Substitute with garlic powder: Use 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder per clove for a similar flavor.
tomato sauce - Substitute with crushed tomatoes: Crushed tomatoes provide a similar consistency and flavor.
chicken broth - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth offers a similar savory base while keeping the dish flavorful.
tomato paste - Substitute with ketchup: Ketchup can provide a similar thickness and sweetness, though it may be slightly less concentrated.
oregano - Substitute with Italian seasoning: Italian seasoning contains oregano along with other complementary herbs.
feta - Substitute with goat cheese: Goat cheese has a similar tangy flavor and crumbly texture.
kalamata olives - Substitute with black olives: Black olives provide a similar briny flavor, though they are slightly milder.
Best Way to Present Greek Chicken Sloppy Joes
Serve smaller portion sizes: Present the Greek chicken sloppy joes in a refined, smaller portion to highlight the flavors and maintain elegance. Use a small brioche slider bun instead of a full-sized bun.
Use decoration: Garnish the plate with a sprig of fresh oregano and a few whole kalamata olives to add a touch of color and sophistication.
Layer the ingredients: Carefully layer the ground chicken mixture inside the toasted brioche bun, ensuring that each bite has a balanced mix of chicken, feta, and olives.
Add a side salad: Accompany the dish with a small side salad of mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a light lemon vinaigrette to add freshness and contrast to the rich flavors of the sloppy joes.
Drizzle with sauce: Lightly drizzle some extra tomato sauce around the plate for added visual appeal and to enhance the overall taste.
Use high-quality ingredients: Ensure that all ingredients, especially the feta and kalamata olives, are of the highest quality to impress the culinary professionals.
Highlight textures: Emphasize the different textures by ensuring the ground chicken is cooked to perfection, the brioche bun is toasted just right, and the feta is crumbled delicately on top.
Serve on elegant dishware: Present the dish on a sleek, modern plate to elevate the overall dining experience and make the dish visually appealing.
Add a touch of citrus: Include a thin slice of lemon or a light sprinkle of lemon zest on the plate to add a hint of brightness and complement the Mediterranean flavors.
Balance the flavors: Ensure that the tomato sauce, chicken broth, and tomato paste are perfectly balanced to create a harmonious and rich flavor profile that will impress even the most discerning palates.
Essential Tools for Making Greek Chicken Sloppy Joes
Large skillet: A broad, flat-bottomed pan used for browning the ground chicken and sautéing the vegetables.
Wooden spoon: Useful for breaking apart the ground chicken and stirring the ingredients as they cook.
Measuring spoons: Essential for accurately measuring the olive oil, oregano, and other small quantity ingredients.
Measuring cups: Necessary for measuring the tomato sauce, chicken broth, and tomato paste.
Chef's knife: Ideal for finely chopping the red onion, green bell pepper, and garlic cloves.
Cutting board: Provides a safe and clean surface for chopping the vegetables and garlic.
Can opener: Handy for opening cans of tomato sauce and tomato paste.
Garlic press: Optional but useful for mincing the garlic cloves quickly and efficiently.
Spatula: Helps in scraping down the sides of the skillet and ensuring even cooking.
Toaster: Used for toasting the brioche buns before serving.
Serving spoon: Useful for scooping the sloppy joe mixture onto the toasted buns.
Mixing bowl: Optional for mixing the feta and olives before topping the sloppy joes.
How To Store and Freeze Greek Chicken Sloppy Joes
- To store leftover greek chicken sloppy joes, allow them to cool completely to room temperature before transferring to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
- When reheating, add a splash of chicken broth or water to help moisten the mixture and prevent it from drying out. Heat in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through.
- For longer storage, freeze the cooled sloppy joe mixture in freezer-safe containers or resealable bags for up to 2-3 months. Label the containers with the date and contents for easy reference.
- To thaw frozen greek chicken sloppy joes, transfer the container to the refrigerator and allow it to thaw overnight. Alternatively, you can thaw the mixture in the microwave using the defrost setting.
- Once thawed, reheat the sloppy joe mixture in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. Add a little chicken broth or water if needed to achieve the desired consistency.
- For best results, store the sloppy joe mixture separately from the brioche buns. Toast the buns and assemble the sandwiches just before serving to prevent them from becoming soggy.
How To Reheat Leftover Greek Chicken Sloppy Joes
Reheat the greek chicken sloppy joes in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through and the sauce is bubbling. This method allows the flavors to meld together and the sauce to thicken slightly, creating a more intense taste experience.
Place the leftover sloppy joes in a microwave-safe dish and cover with a damp paper towel. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through, stirring halfway through the reheating process. This is a quick and easy method for those short on time.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer the greek chicken sloppy joes to an oven-safe dish, cover with aluminum foil, and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. This method helps to maintain the moisture content of the dish and prevents it from drying out.
For a crispy twist, place the leftover sloppy joes on a baking sheet and top with additional feta cheese and kalamata olives. Broil on high for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the edges of the meat mixture are slightly crispy.
Transform your leftover greek chicken sloppy joes into a new dish by using them as a filling for stuffed bell peppers or zucchini boats. Cut the vegetables in half, remove the seeds, and fill them with the reheated sloppy joes mixture. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and the filling is heated through.
Random Fact About Greek Chicken Sloppy Joes
A unique twist on the traditional sloppy joes recipe, this Greek chicken sloppy joes version incorporates Mediterranean flavors like feta cheese and kalamata olives, offering a delicious and healthier alternative to the classic American dish.
Is Making Greek Chicken Sloppy Joes Economical for Home Cooking?
This Greek chicken sloppy joes recipe is quite cost-effective for a household. Ground chicken is generally affordable, and ingredients like olive oil, red onion, green bell pepper, garlic, and tomato sauce are pantry staples. Specialty items like feta and kalamata olives might be pricier but are used in small quantities. Overall Verdict: 8/10. Approximate cost for a household of 4 people: $15-$20 USD.
Are Greek Chicken Sloppy Joes Healthy or Unhealthy?
The Greek chicken sloppy joes recipe is a healthier twist on the classic comfort food. By using ground chicken instead of beef, the dish becomes lower in saturated fat and calories. The addition of vegetables like red onion and green bell pepper provides essential vitamins and minerals. The tomato sauce, paste, and chicken broth create a flavorful base without relying on excessive salt or sugar. Oregano adds a nice herbal touch, while feta and kalamata olives contribute to the Greek-inspired flavors.
However, there are a few areas where the recipe could be improved to make it even healthier:
- Opt for a whole wheat or multigrain bun instead of brioche to increase fiber intake
- Reduce the amount of feta cheese to lower the overall fat and sodium content
- Add more vegetables, such as diced zucchini or mushrooms, to boost the nutrient density
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to control salt levels
- Serve with a side salad or roasted vegetables to create a more balanced meal
Editor's Thoughts on Greek Chicken Sloppy Joes Recipe
This Greek chicken sloppy joes recipe offers a delightful Mediterranean twist on a classic comfort food. The combination of ground chicken, feta, and kalamata olives provides a rich, savory flavor profile, while the oregano adds a touch of herbal freshness. The use of tomato sauce and paste ensures a robust, tangy base, and the chicken broth keeps the mixture moist. Serving it on a toasted brioche bun adds a buttery, slightly sweet contrast. Overall, it's a well-balanced, flavorful dish that's both hearty and unique.
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Why trust this Greek Chicken Sloppy Joes Recipe:
This Greek chicken sloppy joes recipe combines the rich flavors of ground chicken, feta, and kalamata olives for a Mediterranean twist on a classic dish. The use of olive oil and oregano ensures an authentic taste, while the tomato sauce and tomato paste create a deliciously sloppy texture. Easy to follow and quick to prepare, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. Trust in the quality ingredients and straightforward instructions to deliver a satisfying meal that will impress your family and friends.
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