Let me tell you about my buffalo chicken sloppy joes delicious recipe – the messy, spicy twist on classic sloppy joes that became my family’s favorite weeknight dinner by accident! One frantic Tuesday when I had leftover rotisserie chicken and zero dinner ideas, I threw together buffalo sauce and ranch with the shredded chicken. Ten minutes later, we were wiping sauce off our chins and begging for seconds. The tangy heat from the buffalo sauce mixed with cool ranch creates magic between toasted buns. Now my kids request “Mom’s buffalo joes” every game night – they’re that good.
What makes this recipe special? It’s all about that perfect balance between fiery and creamy, with crunchy celery adding fresh contrast. Unlike traditional sloppy joes that can be cloyingly sweet, these pack serious flavor punch. Plus, you probably have most ingredients in your fridge right now. Trust me, once you try this buffalo chicken version, you’ll never go back to plain old ground beef sloppy joes again!
Ingredients List for Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joes
Here’s everything you’ll need for these gloriously messy buffalo chicken sloppy joes – and trust me, measuring matters for that perfect saucy-to-chicken ratio! I’ve made these enough times to know exact amounts make all the difference between “just okay” and “oh wow!”
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken works beautifully here!)
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce (I’m loyal to Frank’s RedHot, but use your favorite)
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing (or blue cheese if you’re feeling fancy)
- 1/4 cup finely diced celery (for that essential crunch)
- 4 hamburger buns (the sturdier the better – we’re dealing with saucy goodness here)
- 1 tablespoon butter (because everything’s better with butter, right?)
That’s it! Just six simple ingredients for the most flavor-packed 15-minute dinner you’ll ever make. Pro tip: Double the recipe if you’ve got hungry teenagers – these disappear fast!
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joes
Okay, here’s where the magic happens – turning those simple ingredients into the most addictive sandwich you’ll ever eat! The key is moving fast but not rushing the steps. Let me walk you through exactly how I make these buffalo chicken sloppy joes every time.
Step 1: Prepare the Buffalo Chicken Mixture
Grab your favorite skillet (mine’s well-seasoned cast iron) and melt that butter over medium heat. Why medium? Too hot and your sauce will reduce too fast; too low and everything gets soggy. Once the butter’s foaming, dump in your shredded chicken – I like to hear that satisfying sizzle! Pour in the buffalo sauce and ranch, then stir like you mean it until every piece of chicken gets coated in that beautiful orangey-red sauce. Let it bubble away for about 5 minutes – just until everything’s heated through and the sauce thickens slightly around the chicken.
Step 2: Toast the Buns
While the chicken mixture works its magic, don’t neglect those buns! I pop mine under the broiler for about 90 seconds (watch them like a hawk!) or toast them in a dry skillet. You want them golden with crispy edges that’ll stand up to all that saucy goodness without turning into mush. This step makes ALL the difference – trust me!
Step 3: Assemble and Serve
Now for the fun part! Spoon that glorious buffalo chicken mixture onto your toasted buns – don’t be shy, pile it high! The finishing touch? A generous sprinkle of diced celery for that fresh crunch contrast. Serve these immediately with plenty of napkins (and maybe some wet wipes for messy eaters). Warning: first bites are always Destiny’s Child-level “hot, hot, hot” – wait exactly 37 seconds like I do!
Why You’ll Love This Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joes Recipe
Let me count the ways these buffalo chicken sloppy joes will steal your heart (and probably become your new obsession)! Here’s why everyone in my house goes wild for them:
- Lightning fast – Ready in 15 minutes flat, even when you’re hangry
- Spicy-sweet perfection – That buffalo-ranch combo is pure magic
- Heat control – Dial the spice up or down to your mood
- Weeknight hero – Uses pantry staples you probably have right now
- Crowd pleaser – My picky eater AND my spice-lover both clean their plates
Seriously, these check all the boxes – easy, fast, flavorful, and fun to eat. What’s not to love?
Ingredient Substitutions and Tips
Listen, I’m all about making recipes work with what you’ve got! Here are my tried-and-true swaps for these buffalo chicken sloppy joes:
- Dressing drama? Swap ranch for blue cheese – it’s incredible with the spicy buffalo sauce. Greek yogurt mixed with ranch powder works in a pinch too!
- Heat level? Start with 1/4 cup buffalo sauce if you’re nervous, then add more to taste. My husband adds extra hot sauce right at the end – oof!
- Chicken shortcuts? Rotisserie chicken is my MVP, but leftover grilled chicken works beautifully. Even canned chicken in emergencies!
Storage tip: These keep surprisingly well! Just pop leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight – if they last that long!
Serving Suggestions for Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joes
Now let’s talk about what to serve with these beauties! My family’s go-to is crispy waffle fries – perfect for scooping up any runaway buffalo sauce. Creamy coleslaw cools the heat beautifully, while carrot and celery sticks keep things fresh. Game day? Add pickle spears and call it a party! The best part? These sloppy joes turn any casual meal into something special with almost no extra work.
Nutritional Information
Okay, let’s talk numbers – but remember, these are estimates that’ll vary based on your specific brands and how generous you are with that buffalo sauce! Here’s the breakdown per sandwich (and yes, I’ve done the math so you don’t have to):
- Calories: About 350
- Protein: A solid 25g (thanks, chicken!)
- Carbs: Around 30g (mostly from those sturdy buns)
- Fat: 12g (butter and dressing do their thing)
Not bad for something this delicious, right? Pro tip: Using light ranch or reducing the butter cuts calories without sacrificing flavor. But hey – some days are worth every single calorie!
FAQ
Can I use rotisserie chicken for this recipe?
Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken is my secret weapon for these buffalo chicken sloppy joes. The pre-cooked meat saves so much time – just shred it up while still warm (it’s easier that way). The seasoned skin adds extra flavor too – bonus!
How can I make these less spicy for kids?
Easy fix! Start with just 1/4 cup buffalo sauce instead of 1/2 cup, then stir in extra ranch to tame the heat. My daughter likes when I mix in a teaspoon of honey too – the sweetness balances the spice perfectly for little taste buds.
What’s the best way to reduce sodium?
Two simple swaps: use low-sodium buffalo sauce (yes, it exists!) and make your own ranch dressing with Greek yogurt instead of bottled. You’ll still get all the flavor without feeling like you just licked a salt block!
Can I make these ahead of time?
You bet! The chicken mixture actually tastes better after sitting overnight – the flavors really meld together. Just store it separately from the buns, then reheat gently on the stove with a splash of water to loosen the sauce.
Any bun alternatives?
Get creative! These work great on slider buns for parties, wrapped in lettuce for low-carb versions, or even stuffed into baked potatoes (trust me, it’s amazing). My neighbor swears by serving them over nachos – messy but delicious!
Share Your Twist!
Now I want to hear from you! Did you add blue cheese crumbles? Try it with turkey instead of chicken? Leave a comment below with your creative twists – I’m always looking for new ways to make these buffalo chicken sloppy joes even more delicious!
Print
15-Minute Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joes Recipe – Irresistible!
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Low Calorie
Description
A twist on the classic sloppy joe, featuring shredded buffalo chicken for a spicy kick.
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing
- 1/4 cup diced celery
- 4 hamburger buns
- 1 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, and ranch dressing. Stir to combine.
- Cook for 5 minutes until heated through.
- Toast the hamburger buns lightly.
- Spoon the buffalo chicken mixture onto the buns.
- Top with diced celery and serve immediately.
Notes
- Adjust buffalo sauce for more or less heat.
- Use blue cheese dressing instead of ranch for a different flavor.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Sandwiches
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: buffalo chicken, sloppy joes, spicy sandwich, quick dinner