By Steve Chernek
Need a super-fast and wonderfully delicious dinner in 20 minutes? I love Chicken Sloppy Joe Sliders for those nights I need dinner right away. With only four ingredients in the skillet, you can start your timer with the ground chicken in the freezer and still have dinner on the table in just 20 minutes. I promise.
If your meat is frozen, just pop it in the microwave for 2 to 3 minutes to begin the thawing process. The rest is done in the skillet as you turn the meat, chopping it into a fine crumble.
The main seasoning component is barbecue sauce, so be sure to pick one you really love. We tend to go for sweet and spicy instead of smoked versions of ready-made sauces. Any sauce you would use on regular barbecue chicken is delicious here too.
For a true throwback treat, layer the saucy meat with pickles and potato chips right on the slider buns. The crunch of the chips, the sweet and savory pickles and the seasoned chicken explodes with flavor. I know you are going to enjoy this one!
Suggested menu
Chicken Sloppy Joe Sliders
Bread and butter pickle chips
Potato chips
Chicken Sloppy Joe Sliders
Start to finish: 20 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
1 pound ground chicken breast
6 ounces no-salt-added tomato paste
3/4 cup water
3 to 4 tablespoons barbecue sauce
8 slider buns
1/4 cup bread and butter pickle chips, drained
Potato chips, optional for serving
In a large nonstick skillet, crumble the ground chicken breast (fresh or partially thawed in microwave) and cook over medium-high heat until no longer pink, about 6 minutes.
Add the tomato paste, water and barbecue sauce and stir until mixed well; lower heat to simmer. Cover the skillet and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes or until ready to serve, stirring occasionally.
Divide the meat equally among the slider buns, top with pickles and serve with chips, if desired.
Approximate values per serving (2 sliders, no toppings): 338 calories, 3 g fat (1 g saturated), 71 mg cholesterol, 37 g protein, 44 g carbohydrates, 2 g dietary fiber, 439 mg sodium
Alicia Ross is the co-author of “Desperation Dinners!” (Workman, 1997), “Desperation Entertaining!” (Workman, 2002) and “Cheap. Fast. Good!” (Workman, 2006). Contact her at Kitchen Scoop, c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106, or send email to tellus@kitchenscoop.com. Or visit the Kitchen Scoop website at www.kitchenscoop.com.
