Sloppy Joes are often a quick, go-to meal your family undoubtedly loves, but are you ready for a change? Then give this tasty revamped version a try. With its tasty chicken and Tex-Mex flavour, your family is sure to request it again and again!
Tex-Mex chicken Sloppy Joes
Serving size 6–8
Ingredients:
- 1-1/2 pounds (approximately 680 grams) of ground chicken
- 1 Anaheim pepper, seeded and minced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 a medium onion, diced
- 1 celery stalk, chopped
- 1/2 cup diced red pepper
- 1-1/2 cups medium chunky-style salsa
- 1 (398-millilitre) can of tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- Vegetable or olive oil
Directions:
- In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, and cook for about 10–12 minutes or until cooked through. Stir often, and use a spatula or spoon to break up the meat.
- Remove from heat, and transfer to a bowl. Set aside.
- In the same skillet, heat 2 more tablespoons of oil over medium heat. Add the Anaheim pepper, garlic, onion, celery and red pepper. Sauté the mixture, stirring often, until the vegetables are tender.
- Add the salsa, tomato sauce and tomato paste.
- Mix in the cumin, chili pepper, cayenne, salt and pepper.
- Add 1/4 cup of water, and cook the mixture for about 5 minutes to incorporate the flavours. Stir occasionally.
- Mix in the cooked chicken, and simmer over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes. Stir often.
- Add a generous portion of the chicken mixture to a toasted kaiser roll or ciabatta bun, and serve.
- Another idea is to add the chicken-Joe mix to a thick piece of bread, such as Texas toast, and then top it with Monterey Jack cheese and pop it in a hot oven for a few minutes to melt. Serve with sweet potato fries or a bean-and-corn salad.
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Note
While this recipe is moderately spicy, it’s easy to modify the heat level to suit your taste. If you prefer something that’s still flavourful but without as much of a spicy kick, simply replace the medium salsa with a mild version, or for an even milder flavour, substitute in drained diced tomatoes. If you like the heat and want to turn it up a notch, switch the Anaheim pepper with a minced jalapeno pepper, or replace the medium salsa with hot.
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