{BBQ Chicken Sloppy Joe Lettuce Wraps}

I love me a good Sloppy Joe!  Sloppy Joe's were always one of my favorite meals growing up!  I remember eating Sloppy Joe's as a kid and being a complete mess once I was done eating.  I would literally have Sloppy Joe sauce (sounds weird!) all the way up my arm and all over my face once I was finished!! Yes, I was a messy kid at times!  

 Nowadays I make my Sloppy Joe's with ground chicken (or turkey) and sneak in a few veggies for added texture and a nutritional punch!  However I took these BBQ Sloppy Joe's to a whole new level and turned them into... Sloppy Joe Lettuce Wraps!! Seriously, ever since making these Fish Taco's I have been obsessed with lettuce wraps!    

I know it seems a bit out there, but trust me you won't miss the bun once you bite into these crunchy BBQ Chicken Sloppy Joe's!  They have all the flavors you love about traditional Sloppy Joe's and trust me they are darn delicious and just as messy!

BBQ Chicken Sloppy Joe Lettuce Wraps

Brunch N'Cupcakes 

Serves 4-6 

Ingredients:

1 Lb Lean Ground Chicken (or Turkey if you prefer) 

1 Red Pepper Roughly Chopped 

1 Small Onion Roughly Chopped 

2 Clovers Garlic Minced

1 Cup Black Beans 

1 - 15 Oz. Can Tomato Sauce 

2 Tablespoons Tomato Paste 

2 Teaspoons Worcestershire Sauce 

2 Teaspoon Apple Cider Vinegar 

1 Tablespoon Hot Pepper Jelly 

1 1/2 Teaspoon Chili Powder, Paprika and Cumin 

Salt and Pepper to Taste 

8-12 Large Romaine Lettuce Leaves (or 4-6 Whole Wheat Hamburger Buns for Serving)

Directions:

1- In a large skillet coated with cooking spray saute pepper and onion until tender.  Add garlic and saute until fragrant. 

2- Add ground chicken (make sure to break up with a wooden spoon or spatula), chili power, paprika and cumin to skillet with vegetables.  Cook until chicken is cooked through. 

3- While chicken is cooking combine tomato sauce, tomato paste, worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar and hot pepper jelly in a small bowl.  Whisk until well combined, set aside. 

4-  Once chicken is cooked through pour BBQ sauce over skillet and cook on medium heat until sauce thickens (5-8 minutes). 

5- Once Sauce thickens stir in beans.  Season with salt and pepper to taste and adjust seasoning as desired. 

Serve the BBQ Chicken Sloppy Joe's in romaine lettuce leaves with feta and sriracha.  If you prefer serve on hamburger buns instead of in the romaine leaves.  For a complete meal serve with baked sweet potato fries (great recipe here, Cooking Light) or with crudites. 

Enjoy!