Italian Chicken Sloppy Joes

Italian Chicken Sloppy Joes are an easy homemade sandwich made with ground chicken, peppers, onion, garlic, tomato sauce, and melty mozzarella cheese. This simple 30-minute Sloppy Joe recipe is a delicious Italian twist on traditional Sloppy Joes and a great weeknight dinner.

You can NEVER have too many quick and easy dinner ideas, and these Italian Chicken Sloppy Joes are just the thing for busy weeknights! These homemade Sloppy Joes take the basic idea of a traditional Sloppy Joe sandwich and give it a delicious Italian twist. Instead of ground beef and a sweet traditional Sloppy Joe sauce, this easy recipe combines ground chicken, tomato sauce, peppers, onion, garlic, and mozzarella cheese on big crusty rolls.

Simple ingredients. Not a lot of prep. And dinner is ready in about 30 minutes! YES please.

I especially love these Italian Chicken Sloppy Joes when things get busy with school, homework, activities, work, and everything else life throws at you. The filling comes together quickly in one skillet, and you don’t need a long list of ingredients to make it.

I like to serve the chicken Sloppy Joe mixture on big crusty Italian rolls from the grocery store. You can lightly toast the rolls first if you’d like, then pile on the saucy ground chicken and top everything with slices of mozzarella cheese.

They’re hearty, cheesy, saucy, and a little messy. Exactly how a good Sloppy Joe should be!

What I Love About This Recipe

• It’s a quick 30-minute dinner. These Italian Chicken Sloppy Joes have only about 15 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cooking time. Everything comes together in one skillet, so you don’t need to spend all evening cooking or cleaning. It’s a great recipe to keep around for busy weeknights when you need dinner FAST.
• It’s an easy twist on traditional Sloppy Joes. Traditional Sloppy Joes are generally associated with ground beef and a sweet and tangy sauce, but this version goes in a completely different direction. Ground chicken, tomato sauce, peppers, onion, garlic powder, and mozzarella give the sandwich an Italian-inspired flavor. It’s familiar enough for Sloppy Joe fans while still being something different.
• You can customize the vegetables. Don’t like onions or green peppers? No problem! Try finely chopped mushrooms, carrots, zucchini, or eggplant instead. You can even add extra vegetables if you’re trying to sneak a few more into dinner.
• The meat is easy to substitute. Although ground chicken is the star of this recipe, you can substitute ground turkey, beef, pork, Italian sausage, or your favorite meat alternative. That makes this a great basic homemade Sloppy Joe recipe to adapt to what you already have. Just be sure whatever meat you choose is cooked thoroughly.
• There are LOTS of ways to serve it. A toasted roll and mozzarella cheese make a great classic sandwich, but that’s only the beginning. Serve the chicken Sloppy Joe filling over rice, pasta, cauliflower rice, zoodles, or even mashed potatoes. For a lower-carb option, spoon it into lettuce leaves for easy Italian lettuce wraps.

Equipment You May Need

• Large Skillet – Use a roomy skillet so you have enough space to cook the vegetables and break up the ground chicken.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula – Helpful for breaking the ground chicken into small pieces while it cooks.
• Cutting Board – You’ll need one for prepping the onion, bell pepper, and any additional vegetables.
• Sharp Knife – Finely chopping the vegetables helps them cook quickly and blend into the Sloppy Joe filling.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons – Useful for measuring the vegetables, olive oil, and seasonings.
• Baking Sheet – Optional for lightly toasting the rolls before assembling the sandwiches.

Italian Chicken Sloppy Joes Ingredients

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Helps cook the vegetables and prevents the chicken and vegetables from sticking to the skillet.
• Onion – Finely chopped onion adds savory flavor and texture to the homemade Sloppy Joe filling.
• Green Bell Pepper – Adds color and mild pepper flavor. Chop it finely so it softens quickly.
• Ground Chicken – The main ingredient in these Italian Chicken Sloppy Joes and a fun alternative to traditional ground beef.
• Salt – Seasons the chicken and vegetables.
• Black Pepper – Adds a little extra savory flavor.
• Garlic Powder – An easy way to add garlic flavor without additional chopping.
• Tomato Sauce – A 24-ounce jar creates the simple homemade Italian-style Sloppy Joe sauce.
• Rolls – Use your favorite sandwich rolls. I love big crusty Italian rolls, lightly toasted if desired.
• Mozzarella Cheese – Thin slices melt over the warm chicken filling for an easy cheesy finish.

How to Make Italian Chicken Sloppy Joes

Step One: Cook the Peppers and Onion
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions and peppers and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables start to soften, about 2 to 3 minutes.

Step Two: Cook the Ground Chicken
Add the ground chicken to the pan, then stir in the salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Break up the meat and stir until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are soft, about 5 to 7 minutes.

Step Three: Add the Tomato Sauce
Add the tomato sauce to the pan, stir everything together, and heat until the sauce and chicken mixture are warmed through.

Step Four: Assemble the Sandwiches
Spoon the Sloppy Joe mixture onto the bottom parts of the rolls, then top with mozzarella cheese and the top parts of the rolls. Serve immediately.

(Full printable recipe card with full details is at bottom of post.)

Italian Chicken Sloppy Joe Variations

There are SO many ways to customize this simple recipe.

Italian Sausage Sloppy Joes: Substitute ground Italian sausage for the ground chicken. Depending on the sausage, you may need less olive oil and salt.

Ground Beef Sloppy Joes: Use ground beef instead of chicken for a heartier version that’s a little closer to a traditional Sloppy Joe.

Turkey Sloppy Joes: Ground turkey is an easy substitute for the chicken and keeps the basic texture similar.

Extra Veggie Sloppy Joes: Add or substitute chopped zucchini, eggplant, carrots, or mushrooms.

Cheesy Sloppy Joes: Try provolone, Parmesan, or shredded Italian blend cheese instead of mozzarella.

Spicy Italian Sloppy Joes: Add crushed red pepper flakes or chopped hot peppers to taste.

Herb Sloppy Joes: Fresh basil and oregano would both be great additions to the tomato sauce.

Vegetarian Sloppy Joes: Use your favorite ground meat alternative or skip the meat and add additional vegetables or beans. Cooked lentils could also inspire a vegetarian variation.

Serving Suggestions

Wondering what to serve with Sloppy Joes? There are LOTS of easy options!

• Italian Salad: A big green salad with Italian dressing is an easy way to round out dinner.
• Easy Pasta Salad: A cold pasta salad works especially well for a family dinner, picnic, or casual get-together.
• Baked Fries: Homemade baked fries are always a great sandwich side.
• Zucchini Fries: Keep the Italian theme going with crispy zucchini fries.
• Roasted Vegetables: Use whatever vegetables you have around for an easy side.
• Potato Wedges: Crispy baked potato wedges are another family-friendly option.
• No Bread: Don’t want a sandwich? Serve the chicken Sloppy Joe mixture over cooked rice, pasta, cauliflower rice, zoodles, or mashed potatoes.

Quick Tips for Best Results

• Finely chop the vegetables. Smaller pieces cook faster and mix more evenly into the chicken filling.
• Prep ahead. Chop the peppers and onions ahead of time and refrigerate them until you’re ready to cook.
• Adjust the olive oil as needed. Depending on your skillet, you may need a little more or less oil to prevent sticking.
• Use a nonstick skillet. With a good nonstick pan, you may be able to reduce or omit the olive oil.
• Break up the ground chicken. Keep breaking and stirring the meat as it cooks so you get small pieces rather than large clumps.
• Cook the chicken thoroughly. Make sure the ground chicken is completely cooked before adding the tomato sauce.
• Don’t be afraid to change the vegetables. Mushrooms, zucchini, carrots, and eggplant are all good options.
• Watch cooking times with substitutions. Different vegetables and meats may need more or less cooking time.
• Use leftover vegetables. Precooked vegetables can make this easy dinner even faster.
• Let it simmer for extra flavor. If you have time, let the chicken mixture simmer in the tomato sauce for about 5 to 10 minutes.
• Toast the rolls. Lightly toasted rolls hold up better under the saucy filling and add a little crunch.
• Serve immediately. Assemble the sandwiches right before eating so the bread doesn’t have time to get too soggy.

Italian Sloppy Joes FAQ

Can I make these Italian Sloppy Joes ahead?
Yes! You can make a batch of the sloppy joe mixture ahead of time and store covered in the refrigerator for a few days.

How do I store the leftovers?
Store leftover Sloppy Joe filling separately from the rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Keeping the filling and bread separate prevents the sandwiches from becoming soggy. Reheat the filling and assemble fresh sandwiches when you’re ready to eat.

Can I freeze these?
Yes, but I would freeze only the chicken Sloppy Joe mixture, not the assembled sandwiches. Place the cooled filling in an airtight freezer container or resealable freezer bag, remove as much air as possible, and freeze it flat if using a bag. Thaw and reheat the filling, then serve it on fresh rolls with mozzarella.

How long will the Italian Chicken Sloppy Joe filling last?
You can make the filling ahead and keep it covered in the refrigerator for a few days. This makes the recipe convenient for meal prep because you can simply reheat the chicken mixture and assemble sandwiches as needed.

Can I use something other than ground chicken?
Yes! You can definitely substitute your favorite ground meat such as Italian sausage, beef, pork, or turkey. For a vegetarian option, you could use your favorite ground meat alternative or omit completely and just add more vegetables or even your favorite beans.

Can I substitute anything for the green peppers and onions?
Definitely! You, of course, can add more vegetables or swap out the onions and peppers for other vegetables.  Just be sure to finely chop any vegetables you’re using. Other vegetables such as eggplant, zucchini, carrots, and mushrooms would work well. You may need to adjust the cooking time though depending on the vegetable and how large you chop them. You could even use precooked or thawed frozen vegetables.

What else can I add to this recipe?
Try fresh basil, oregano, crushed red pepper, mushrooms, zucchini, Parmesan cheese, or additional garlic. You could also add more vegetables to bulk up the filling. Keep additions finely chopped so the mixture stays easy to pile onto a sandwich.

Do you have other serving suggestions for these Sloppy Joes besides the rolls?
You can easily adapt this recipe for different dietary needs such as low carb or gluten-free. For a lower-carb option, you could serve the sloppy joe mixture in lettuce leaves for a fun Italian lettuce wraps or could serve over rice cauliflower. You could also serve the sloppy joe mixture over cooked rice (or rice cauliflower), pasta (or zoodles), or even mashed potatoes (or mashed cauliflower).

Can I make this vegan/vegetarian/low carb/gluten-free?
Here are some suggestions, but I can’t guarantee results. Be sure as always to check particular brands and ingredients if you’re following a specific diet or have diet restrictions or allergies.

Vegan – Use a meat alternative and make sure your rolls are vegan.

Vegetarian – For vegetarian Sloppy Joes, substitute your favorite ground meat alternative or omit the chicken and add more vegetables or beans. Lentils could also work as inspiration for a meatless version

Low-Carb – Skip the rolls and serve in lettuce wraps or low carb tortillas or rolls.

Gluten-Free – Use gluten-free rolls and be sure to check other ingredients.

Other Recipes You May Enjoy

• Mexican Sloppy Joes – Another easy, family-friendly Sloppy Joe dinner that’s perfect for busy nights.
• Mediterranean Chicken Burgers – A fun homemade chicken dinner with Mediterranean-inspired flavors.
• Pickle Chicken Burgers – Homemade chicken burgers with dill pickles mixed right into the burgers for plenty of flavor.
• Philly Cheesesteak Burger – A hearty burger piled with vegetables and an easy homemade cheese sauce.
• Oktoberfest Burger Recipe – An easy gourmet burger made with pork or chicken, beer, pretzels, onions, mustard, and potato rolls.

Hope you enjoy this Italian Chicken Sloppy Joe recipe. Tell me in the comments about what veggies you used! For a quick dessert option to go with these fun sandwiches, check out my super popular Best Cannoli Dip!