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Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes

Tender Cajun chicken piled high on a bun for a messy, delicious meal.
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Turn up the heat with these bold and flavorful Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes! Made with juicy ground chicken, zesty Cajun spices, and a tangy tomato base, these sandwiches are a fiery twist on the classic comfort food. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or game day snack, and ready in under 30 minutes!

Ingredients

Scale

For the Filling:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 pound ground chicken

1 small yellow onion, finely diced

1 green bell pepper, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade)

½ teaspoon smoked paprika

¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)

¾ cup tomato sauce

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon brown sugar

Salt and black pepper, to taste

¼ cup water (optional, to adjust consistency)

For Serving:

4 hamburger buns, toasted

Optional toppings: shredded cheese, coleslaw, sliced pickles, or hot sauce

Instructions

Sauté the Chicken:
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground chicken and cook for 5–6 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon, until fully browned.

Add the Veggies:
Stir in diced onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook for another 3–4 minutes, until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.

Spice It Up:
Sprinkle in Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using). Stir well and cook for 1 minute to toast the spices.

Simmer the Sauce:
Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir to combine and reduce heat to low.

Let It Thicken:
Simmer the mixture for 6–8 minutes, until thickened. Add a splash of water if the sauce is too thick. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Assemble and Serve:
Spoon the Cajun chicken mixture onto toasted buns. Top with cheese, slaw, or your favorite toppings. Serve hot!

Notes

Make It Milder: Use less Cajun seasoning or skip the cayenne if you prefer a milder flavor.

Homemade Cajun Seasoning: Mix 1 tsp paprika, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, ½ tsp thyme, ¼ tsp cayenne, ¼ tsp oregano, and a pinch of salt and pepper.

Gluten-Free Option: Serve the filling in gluten-free buns or lettuce wraps.

Meal Prep Tip: The filling can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month.

 

  • Vegetarian Swap: Use plant-based ground meat and veggie broth to keep it vegetarian.

Keywords: Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes

Find it online: https://mirayamsrecipe.com/cajun-chicken-sloppy-joes/