Name: Slow Cooker Chicken Sloppy Joe Sliders Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 4 h
Total time: 4 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 lbs boneless chicken breast and/or thighs; 14 oz can organic tomato sauce; ¼ cup canned organic tomato paste; 3 Tbsp yellow mustard; 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar; 2 tsp coconut amino; 3 pitted dates, finely chopped (optional); ¾ cup shredded carrots; 1 tsp garlic powder; ½ tsp onion powder; ½ tsp smoked paprika; ¼ tsp sea salt; ¼ tsp black pepper; 2 sweet potatoes, sliced into ¼-inch rounds; Avocado oil or olive oil, for brushing

There’s something downright cozy about sinking your teeth into these tender, flavorful sliders, especially when they’re crafted with love in a slow cooker. This Slow Cooker Chicken Sloppy Joe Sliders Recipe brings all that classic sloppy joe goodness but with a juicy, healthy chicken twist, plus a fun sweet potato “bun” that just seals the deal.

The image shows a sandwich with two thick slices of toasted brown bread. The bottom layer has green leafy lettuce, topped with thin slices of purple onion. Above that is a large pile of shredded cooked meat mixed with small green herb pieces. The top slice of brown bread rests above, slightly tilted. The sandwich sits on a surface with a white marbled texture and the background is a blurry gray. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Slow Cooker Chicken Sloppy Joe Sliders Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Slow Cooker Chicken Sloppy Joe Sliders Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Slow Cooker Chicken Sloppy Joe Sliders Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I can’t get enough of this recipe’s balance—comfort food vibes but without the heavy guilt. It’s one of those dishes that’s surprisingly simple to throw together, yet impressive enough to serve when friends come over. Plus, it’s loaded with wholesome ingredients that make your family feel good.

Easy Prep: Toss it all in the slow cooker and let it work its magic while you focus on other things.
Healthy Take: Chicken replaces beef, and sweet potato rounds swap the usual buns for a nutrient-rich, gluten-free option.
Flavor Packed: The blend of mustard, vinegar, smoky paprika, and a hint of natural sweetness from dates keeps every bite exciting.
Versatile Serving: Whether you want sliders or prefer lettuce wraps or salad bowls, this recipe adapts easily to your mood.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This mix of pantry-friendly staples and fresh touches creates a saucy, tender chicken that’s far from boring. I always recommend using quality tomato products and fresh spices for the best punch of flavor. The sweet potatoes, sliced just right, get perfectly tender and serve as fantastic “buns” holding everything together without the heaviness.

Flat lay of fresh boneless chicken breasts and thighs arranged naturally, a small white ceramic bowl of vibrant organic tomato sauce, another small bowl filled with rich organic tomato paste, a small white bowl holding bright yellow mustard, a small bowl with clear apple cider vinegar, a small bowl of dark coconut aminos, three glossy pitted dates chopped finely on a white plate, a neat pile of bright shredded carrots, a small heap of golden smoked paprika powder, separate small piles of fine garlic powder and onion powder on the white surface, tiny piles of sea salt and black pepper, two thick slices of fresh sweet potato rounds, and a small white bowl containing golden olive oil, all arranged with perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Chicken breast and/or thighs: Thighs add juiciness but breast is leaner; I love combining both for texture and flavor.
Tomato sauce: Use organic for a richer tomato flavor without additives.
Tomato paste: Concentrates the tomato base, deepening the sauce’s taste.
Yellow mustard: Brings subtle tang and a classic sloppy joe character.
Apple cider vinegar: Adds a brightness that balances the tomatoes’ sweetness.
Coconut aminos: A milder, lower sodium alternative to soy sauce, boosting umami.
Pitted dates: Optional but a secret weapon for natural sweetness instead of refined sugar.
Shredded carrots: Sneaky veggie boost that keeps things moist and adds gentle sweetness.
Garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, sea salt, black pepper: These seasonings layer in smoky, savory notes that make the sauce truly addictive.
Sweet potatoes: Sliced into rounds to serve as satisfying buns that are nutrient-dense and lightly sweet.
Avocado or olive oil: For roasting the sweet potato slices and enhancing their natural flavor.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love shaking up this recipe depending on what I have on hand or dietary needs. Maybe you're feeling a bit more indulgent or want to keep it lighter. The beauty is, this slow cooker chicken sloppy joe sliders recipe welcomes your creativity.

Variation: I’ve swapped in ground turkey for chicken when I’m out, and it still tastes fantastic—just adjust the cooking time slightly to avoid dryness.
Make it Vegan: Use jackfruit or a plant-based ground meat alternative and swap the coconut aminos for tamari. The slow cooker will infuse the flavors beautifully.
Spicy Kick: Add a dash of cayenne or finely chopped jalapeño if you want to bring some heat to your sliders.
Sweet Potato Buns Alternative: Use thick slices of toasted eggplant or portobello mushrooms if you want a different low-carb bun option.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Slow Cooker Chicken Sloppy Joe Sliders Recipe

The image shows a sandwich and coleslaw on a white plate with a white marbled surface underneath. The sandwich has three visible layers: the bottom layer is a light green leafy vegetable, the middle layer is shredded orange chicken mixed with green herbs and chopped red onions, and the top layer is a thick, toasted orange bun slightly tilted. Next to the sandwich is a generous serving of coleslaw made of shredded white and purple cabbage, thin orange carrot strips, and green herbs, all mixed and lightly coated. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep Your Sweet Potato "Buns"

Start by slicing your sweet potatoes into ¼-inch thick rounds. Drizzle them with avocado or olive oil on both sides, sprinkle with a pinch of salt, and roast in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 20 minutes, flipping once halfway through. They’ll turn tender and develop a caramelized edge that's perfect for holding the sloppy joe filling. I like to roast these first so they’re ready and warm when the chicken is done.

Step 2: Layer the Slow Cooker Ingredients

Place the chicken breasts and/or thighs at the bottom of your slow cooker. Pour the tomato sauce, tomato paste, yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, and coconut aminos over the top. Scatter the finely chopped dates (if using) and shredded carrots. Then, add garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, sea salt, and black pepper. Give everything a gentle stir to combine the flavors but keep the chicken mostly intact—you’ll shred it later.

Step 3: Cook Low and Slow

Set your slow cooker to low and cook for about 4 hours. This slow cooking process lets the chicken absorb all those rich, tangy flavors while becoming tender enough to shred effortlessly with two forks. Resist the temptation to peek too often—opening the lid lets heat escape and can lengthen your cooking time.

Step 4: Shred and Mix Everything

Once the time’s up, use forks to shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker, mixing it thoroughly with the sauce. The sauce will thicken slightly as the shredded chicken soaks it up. If you want it saucier, go ahead and stir in a little extra tomato sauce or a splash of water. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary—sometimes a tiny touch more vinegar or mustard brightens it right up.

Step 5: Assemble Your Sliders

Place a generous scoop of the shredded chicken sloppy joe mix on one sweet potato round, top with another round, and gently press down. If you’re feeling fancy, add a slice of cheese, a leaf of lettuce, or a dollop of Greek yogurt or avocado for creaminess.

Top Tip

From my kitchen to yours, here are the nuggets I’ve learned that make this slow cooker chicken sloppy joe sliders recipe truly shine every time.

Consistent Sweet Potato Slicing: I use a mandoline to get perfectly even rounds, which ensures they roast evenly and stack nicely for sliders.
Oil Choice Matters: Avocado oil withstands high heat beautifully and adds a subtle richness compared to olive oil’s fruitiness, but both work great.
Let It Rest: After roasting sweet potatoes and shredding chicken, let everything cool just a few minutes so the flavors settle and the sweet potatoes don’t get soggy.
Don’t Skip the Dates: That little sweetness balances the tang and spices without sugar overload—well worth the effort chopping them finely.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Chicken Sloppy Joe Sliders Recipe

Slow Cooker Chicken Sliders - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I often top mine with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or green onions for a pop of color and freshness. A slice of sharp cheddar or pepper jack cheese melted atop the chicken gives a creamy edge that’s hard to resist. Sometimes I’ll add pickles or a quick slaw for a little crunch and tang contrast.

Side Dishes

These sliders pair wonderfully with a simple side salad when I want to keep things light. Other times, I’ll roast extra sweet potato wedges or serve with some roasted veggies or crispy oven fries. For a real comfort feast, coleslaw or baked beans round out the meal beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I like plating these sliders on a large wooden board with little bowls of toppings like sliced jalapeños, extra mustard, or avocado slices so guests can customize their own. They also make adorable appetizers when cut into mini slider-sized bites for cocktail gatherings.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Any leftover shredded chicken mixes well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. I keep the sweet potato “buns” separate to avoid them getting soggy, and reassemble right before eating.

Freezing

I’ve frozen the cooked chicken sloppy joe filling in portioned containers, and it reheats wonderfully—just thaw overnight in the fridge and warm gently on the stove or microwave. Sweet potatoes don’t freeze as well roasted, so I recommend prepping those fresh.

Reheating

For quick reheating, I warm the chicken in a covered skillet over low heat, adding a splash of water or tomato sauce to keep it moist. Sweet potatoes taste best warmed in a toaster oven or oven for a few minutes to regain that slight crispness.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

Yes! Frozen chicken breasts or thighs can be used, but it’s best to thaw them first for even cooking and shredding. If you use frozen chicken, expect to add extra cooking time and check doneness carefully.

What if I don’t have coconut aminos?

You can substitute coconut aminos with low-sodium soy sauce or tamari if you tolerate gluten. If avoiding soy, leave it out and add a pinch of smoked paprika or a splash of Worcestershire sauce for extra umami.

Can I make this recipe in an Instant Pot instead?

Absolutely! Use the sauté function to combine ingredients, then set to pressure cook on high for about 15 minutes, followed by a natural release. Adjust sweet potatoes separately in the oven or air fryer.

How do I keep the sweet potato buns from getting soggy?

Roast the sweet potato rounds separately until they’re just tender and slightly caramelized, then cool completely before assembling the sliders. Serve immediately after assembling and avoid making too far ahead for the best texture.

Final Thoughts

This Slow Cooker Chicken Sloppy Joe Sliders Recipe is a gem I always come back to when I want a comforting yet wholesome meal with minimal fuss. The slow cooker does the heavy lifting, and the sweet potato buns add a colorful, nourishing twist that feels special but simple. I hope you enjoy making and sharing these sliders as much as I do—there’s something truly satisfying about sharing good food made easy with the people you care about.