Believe it or not, it’s time for many little ones to head back to school. I watched my little guy walk in to his first day of 3rd grade just this morning. It seems completely unimaginable that the summer is over. We try our best to pack just as much as we possibly can into the few months we have, but somehow it never seems like enough time.
With the return of school, after school activities also start back up. That leaves us all searching for quick and easy weeknight meals so we can get supper on the table without a lot of hassle. Because regardless of the time constraint, it’s still super important for us to sit down to supper together every night.
I often turn to one-pan, one-pot, and slow cooker meals to fit the bill. I love a good sheet pan meal where everything cooks on one pan all at the same time. And there’s nothing like walking in the door to the smell of delicious food just waiting for you in the slow cooker. That’s why I love this Slow Cooker Sloppy Joe Chicken. It only calls for 2 ingredients and can be served on buns, like shown here, or even over rice.
I often hear of folks who shy away from chicken slow cooker meals because of the “dry” or “mealy” chicken that often results. The trick is not overcooking it. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts typically only need about 4 hours on low in the slow cooker to be perfectly tender and moist. Even in all this sauce, you’re going to end up with mealy chicken if you cook this for 8 hours. Most slow cookers will switch to warm after the cook time so that’s best to use on something like this, though it still will continue to cook some even on warm. If there’s a way to make it work for just 4 hours, that’s really your best bet.
Y’all try this super easy Slow Coker Sloppy Joe Chicken. I know your family will love it and they’ll love you for it! Y’all enjoy!
Recipe Card
Slow Cooker Sloppy Joe Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 (15-ounce) can sloppy joe sauce (I used Hunt's Manwich)
Instructions
- Lightly spray your slow cooker crock with nonstick cooking spray. Pour a few tablespoons of sauce into the bottom of the slow cooker crock. Add the chicken and pour the remaining sauce over the the chicken. Place the lid on and cook on low for about 4 hours.
- When ready to serve, remove the chicken and shred. Return the chicken to the slow cooker and mix with the sauce. Serve on buns, over rice, etc.
* If nutritional values are provided, they are an estimate and will vary depending on the brands used. The values do not include optional ingredients or when ingredients are added to taste. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, I recommend grabbing your favorite brands and plugging those ingredients into an online nutritional calculator.
Carol
Why would you use canned sloppy joe, instead of the same recipe you had for the beef recipe?
It’s just about convenience. Sometimes you want the can, sometimes you don’t. Feel free to use the ingredients in my homemade sauce, if you wish.
Angela
I add 8oz of mild cheddar cheese and it’s so much better
Sounds good to me!
Rebecca
Since you didn’t specify frozen, I’m assuming you mean thawed or fresh chicken should go in this recipe. Is that correct? Thanks for your explanation about the mealy chicken, btw; this complaint of my husband’s has robbed me of the reliance of my slow cooker & as I’m disabled it’s had me super bummed. I’m excited to try foisting my (more lightly-cooked) recipes on him again! 🙂
Yes, I prefer using fresh chicken in the slow cooker. Most chicken can be cooked in the slow cooker in 3 to 4 hours. Cooking it longer can make it super mealy. I sure hope this gives you a little more freedom for using this kitchen workhorse appliance!
Jason
Was never the biggest sloppy joe fan, but this chicken twist certainly has my attention.
The Better Baker
I am giddy wild over this simple and delicious dish. So tickled you shared…I will be sharing it also.
Thanks so much!!!
Kim Smith
I know what’s gonna be for supper at my house tomorrow! Thank you Stacey! <3
Hope you enjoy!!
Michael Hoffmann
How about using chicken thighs?
They should work perfectly!
Beverly
When I make sloppy joes, I use the dry mix in a packet, a can of tomato paste and water, per the instructions on the packet. (I don’t use the Mannwich because it has peppers in it and we heartily dislike them.) Can I use the packet and those ingredients to make this?
Absolutely! That will work just fine with this.
Beverly
Thank you! Can’t wait to make this!