image of the recipe rebel cookbook cover on transparent background.Get The Recipe Rebel Cookbook here 🎉

The Recipe Rebel

The Recipe Rebel / Uncategorized

{Slow Cooker} BBQ Chicken Quinoa Sloppy Joes

written by Ashley Fehr

Updated June 9, 2025

5 from 2 votes
Pin RecipeJump to Recipe

I have a thing for saucy, meaty sandwiches. Bread, meat and sauce.

barbecue chicken quinoa sloppy joes on open bun on white plate with pickles

Since I made these BBQ Beef and Lentil Sloppy Joes, I’ve been a little disappointed with their lack of popularity.

Maybe that sounds totally selfish, but it’s not that. It’s just because I know how absolutely, incredibly delicious they are, and I feel like people are really missing out.

For the last month or so I’ve really been thinking about doing a chicken and quinoa version.

I am just as inexperienced with cooking quinoa as I was with cooking lentils, but I figured things couldn’t go too wrong if I knew the correct amount of liquid for the quinoa to cook in the slow cooker.

bbq chicken quinoa sloppy joes on white plate closed bun

It turns out quinoa and lentils require the same amount of liquid to cook, so my job was pretty easy.

I made a couple other changes to try to make the recipe a bit healthier. I took out the brown sugar completely, but found that I had to increase the barbecue sauce a bit in its place. I halved the salt and used a shredded carrot instead of a zucchini.

If you want to make this even healthier, you could sub the ketchup for crushed tomatoes (keeping in mind you’ll lose some of the sweetness from the ketchup), and use a light barbecue sauce or one with less sugar.

We love this version just as much as the beef and lentil! You really wouldn’t believe how much healthy stuff you can sneak into some good old sloppy joes until you try.

Want to save this recipe?
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox. You’ll also get new recipes and a free monthly menu plan!

{Slow Cooker} BBQ Chicken Quinoa Sloppy Joes

written by Ashley Fehr

{Slow Cooker} BBQ Chicken Quinoa Sloppy Joes: a lighter, healthier version of an old favorite. Packed with protein! www.thereciperebel.com
5 from 2 votes
Rate Pin Print
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8 sandwiches
Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email and we’ll send it to you, along with new recipes and menu plans!

Ingredients 

  • 1 lb ground chicken
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 3/4 cup quinoa, dry
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 1 medium-large carrot, shredded
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 5 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 3/4 cup barbecue sauce
  • 1/2 tsp minced garlic
  • 2 tbsp worcestershire sauce
  • 1-2 pinches crushed red pepper
US Customary – Metric
information about the recipe rebel cookbook.

Instructions 

  • In a medium pan, fry chicken over medium-high heat until cooked, stirring regularly. When chicken is browned, add onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until onion starts to soften. Add to the slow cooker.
  • Add the dry quinoa to the pan and toast over medium heat for 1-2 minutes until toasted. Add to the slow cooker.
  • Add water through crushed red pepper to the slow cooker (all remaining ingredients) and stir well. Scrape down the sides to make sure the quinoa is in the liquid.
  • Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 2-3 hours. Serve on buns or rolls of your choice.

Notes

*Using different brands or slightly different ingredients will affect the nutrition information for the recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 234cal, Protein: 13.5g, Fat: 7.2g, Saturated Fat: 1.8g, Fiber: 2.8g, Sugar: 13g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Want to save this recipe?

Create an account easily save your favorite content, so you never forget a recipe again.

Register Now

Tried this recipe?

Tag @thereciperebel or hashtag #thereciperebel —
I love to see what you’re making!

Tag @thereciperebel
Pin

Meet Ashley

My name is Ashley Fehr and I love creating easy meals my family loves. I also like to do things my way, which means improvising and breaking the rules when necessary. Here you will find creative twists on old favorites and some of my favorite family recipes, passed down from generations!

Read More

You May Also Like

Reader Interactions

Comments

  5. Amanda @ Cookie Named Desire says

    Weeknight deliciousness here I come!! I’m on my way to the grocery store, so I’m glad I stopped by to your blog first cause I am SO making this for dinner tonight! It looks so flavorful and like you won’t even notice that it’s good for you. I can’t wait.

    Reply

  6. Christina @ Bake with Christina says

    What yummy looking sloppy joes! And I love that they’re slow cooker, that’s always a plus 🙂

    Reply

  11. Sarah @ The Gold Lining Girl says

    What a great idea! I wouldn’t have thought to add quinoa into sloppy joes, but I think you can probably sneak the quinoa in pretty easily, and it probably adds a nice little subtle flavor. Plus, I can always get behind a slow cooker recipe. I always need those in my life! 🙂

    Reply

  14. Esther says

    My husband and I definitely loved the lentil and beef version! This one sounds delicious as well! Love your pictures and your blog!

    Reply
5 from 2 votes

Leave A Reply

Have you tried this recipe? Leave a rating