From the time I was very young, I’ve been a huge fan of sloppy joes. This one is much leaner than most, and it’s one of my all-time favorite versions.

I prefer making this recipe with chicken over turkey, though both will work. If you have trouble finding extra-lean ground chicken, ask your butcher to grind chicken breasts for you — most will happily do it at no extra charge.

SexyJoes

Sexy Joes

A leaner take on sloppy joes made with ground chicken — one of the all-time favorite versions.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound extra-lean ground chicken
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon hot-pepper sauce
  • 2/3 cup chopped yellow onion
  • 1/3 cup chopped green bell pepper
  • 3/4 cup low-sodium tomato sauce
  • 3/4 cup chili sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
  • 4 whole-grain or whole-wheat hamburger buns

Method
 

  1. Mist a medium nonstick skillet with olive oil spray and set over medium-high heat. Add the chicken. Cook, stirring with a wooden spoon and breaking into large chunks, for 4 to 6 minutes, until no longer pink.
  2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the vinegar, Worcestershire, honey, and hot-pepper sauce. Whisk to blend.
  3. Drain off any liquid that has accumulated in the pan. Add the onion, bell pepper, tomato sauce, chili sauce, chili powder, and the reserved vinegar mixture to the pan. Stir to blend.
  4. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat so it simmers. Cook for 20 minutes, or until thickened.
  5. Spoon the mixture equally onto the opened buns. Serve immediately.

Notes

Makes 4 servings.
Per serving: 331 calories, 31g protein, 43g carbohydrates, 4g fat (less than 1g saturated), 66mg cholesterol, 5g fiber, 876mg sodium.
Reprinted from THE BIGGEST LOSER COOKBOOK by Chef Devin Alexander and The Biggest Loser Experts and Cast. © 2006 by Universal Studios Licensing LLLP, The Biggest Loser and NBC Studios, Inc., and Reveille LLC. Permission granted by Rodale, Inc., Emmaus, PA 18098. Photo credit: Mitch Mandel.
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