Description

Turn up the heat on a classic comfort food with these Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes! This bold twist on the traditional Sloppy Joe is made with juicy ground chicken, vibrant Cajun spices, and a savory tomato-based sauce. Piled high on toasted buns and topped with crunchy slaw or pickles, it’s a weeknight dinner that’s packed with flavor and ready in under 30 minutes.

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Ingredients

Scale

For the Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joe Filling:

1 lb ground chicken
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
1 small green bell pepper, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp tomato paste
½ cup tomato sauce
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tsp Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
½ tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp brown sugar
Salt and pepper to taste
¼ cup chicken broth or water (as needed for consistency)

For Serving:

4 burger buns, lightly toasted
Optional toppings: coleslaw, sliced pickles, jalapeños, shredded lettuce

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Instructions

Step 1: Sauté the Veggies
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the chopped onion and green bell pepper. Cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
Add the minced garlic and sauté for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 2: Cook the Ground Chicken
Add ground chicken to the skillet. Break it up with a spatula as it cooks.
Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
Cook for 5–6 minutes until the chicken is no longer pink.

Step 3: Add the Flavor Boosters
Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to caramelize slightly.
Add tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and brown sugar. Mix well to combine.

Step 4: Simmer and Thicken
Add a splash of chicken broth or water if the mixture looks too thick.
Reduce heat to low and let it simmer for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and flavors meld.
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed—add more Cajun spice if you like it hotter!

Step 5: Toast the Buns
While the filling simmers, toast your burger buns in the oven or on a dry skillet until lightly golden.

Step 6: Assemble the Sloppy Joes
Spoon the Cajun chicken mixture generously onto the bottom half of each bun.
Top with slaw, pickles, or your favorite crunchy topping.
Place the top bun on and serve hot.

Notes

Use Fresh Garlic – For the most aromatic, rich flavor.
Adjust Spice Level – Use mild Cajun seasoning or add extra cayenne for more heat.
Don’t Skip Toasting – Toasted buns hold up better to the juicy filling.
Double the Batch – This recipe is easy to scale and perfect for leftovers.
Top with Crunch – A cool, creamy coleslaw adds great texture and contrast.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Cuisine: American-Cajun Fusion