Description
Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes are a spicy, flavorful twist on the classic sloppy joe sandwich, made with ground chicken and a blend of Cajun seasonings. This quick and easy stovetop recipe features a savory tomato-based sauce with peppers and onions, perfect for a weeknight dinner. Serve on toasted hamburger buns with optional toppings like sliced pickles, shredded lettuce, or pepper jack cheese for an extra kick.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
- 1/2 cup finely chopped bell pepper (any color)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 hamburger buns
Optional Toppings
- Sliced pickles
- Shredded lettuce
- Pepper jack cheese
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil and sauté vegetables: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and bell pepper and cook for 3–4 minutes until they are softened and fragrant.
- Add garlic and chicken: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until aromatic. Then add the ground chicken to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Cook for about 5–7 minutes until the chicken is no longer pink and fully cooked through.
- Add tomato paste and cook: Stir in the tomato paste, cooking for 1 minute. This helps deepen the flavor of the sauce.
- Combine remaining sauce ingredients and simmer: Add the tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir everything together, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce will thicken and the flavors will meld.
- Toast buns and assemble sandwiches: If desired, toast the hamburger buns until lightly browned. Spoon the Cajun chicken mixture onto each bun and top with any optional toppings such as sliced pickles, shredded lettuce, or pepper jack cheese. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Adjust the Cajun seasoning amount to your preferred spice level for a milder or spicier sandwich.
- This recipe works well as a delicious alternative using ground turkey instead of chicken.
- To save time, finely chop vegetables in advance or use pre-chopped options.
- For a lower-fat option, use ground turkey breast or extra-lean ground chicken.
- Optional toppings are great for added texture and flavor, but the sandwich is tasty on its own.
