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.
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.
- 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.
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
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
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Slow Cooker Chicken Sloppy Joe Sliders Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
These Slow Cooker Chicken Sloppy Joe Sliders offer a comforting and unique twist on classic sloppy joes by using tender slow-cooked chicken served between flavorful sweet potato rounds. Perfect for a hearty family meal, they combine savory tomato-based sauce with subtle sweetness from carrots and dates, all slow-cooked to perfection.
Ingredients
Chicken Sloppy Joe Mixture
- 2 lbs boneless chicken breast and/or thighs
- 14 oz can organic tomato sauce
- ¼ cup canned organic tomato paste
- 3 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoon coconut amino
- 3 pitted dates, finely chopped (optional)
- ¾ cup shredded carrots
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Sweet Potato Rounds
- 2 sweet potatoes, sliced into ¼-inch rounds
- Avocado oil or olive oil, for brushing
Instructions
- Prepare the Slow Cooker Mixture: Place the chicken breasts or thighs in the slow cooker. Add the organic tomato sauce, tomato paste, yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, coconut amino, chopped dates (if using), shredded carrots, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, sea salt, and black pepper. Stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly over the chicken.
- Cook the Chicken: Cover and cook on low heat for 4 hours until the chicken is fully cooked and tender enough to shred easily.
- Shred the Chicken: Remove the cooked chicken from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and mix well with the sauce to absorb all flavors. Keep warm while preparing the sweet potatoes.
- Prepare Sweet Potato Rounds: Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the sweet potato slices on the sheet in a single layer. Lightly brush each round with avocado or olive oil and season with a pinch of salt if desired.
- Bake the Sweet Potatoes: Bake the rounds for about 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until tender and slightly golden.
- Assemble the Sliders: Use two sweet potato rounds to sandwich a generous scoop of the shredded chicken sloppy joe mixture, creating sliders. Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- This recipe makes a traditional comfort food healthier by using chicken and sweet potato rounds instead of bread buns.
- For a lighter option, serve the sloppy joe mixture in lettuce wraps, over greens, or your preferred base instead of sweet potato.
- The dates add a subtle sweetness but can be omitted if you prefer a less sweet flavor profile.
- Use organic ingredients where possible for better flavor and nutrition.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stove or microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ⅛ of recipe (without sweet potato)
- Calories: 187 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg

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