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Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes Recipe

Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes Recipe
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★★★★★

5 from 22 reviews

Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes are a flavorful twist on the classic sandwich, featuring ground chicken simmered in a smoky, spicy tomato sauce infused with authentic Cajun spices. Perfectly balanced with a hint of sweetness and served on soft hamburger buns, these sloppy joes bring a taste of New Orleans to your dinner table with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cajun Chicken:

  • 1.5 lbs ground chicken
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 1 bell pepper, diced (any color works)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth

Cajun Spice Blend:

  • 1 tbsp paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

For Serving:

  • 6 hamburger buns
  • Coleslaw (optional but recommended)
  • Pickles

Instructions

  1. Mix Your Spices: Combine all the Cajun spices in a small bowl. Making extra and storing it for future use is a great way to have a versatile Cajun seasoning on hand.
  2. Cook the Chicken Base: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes, breaking it up as it browns. The initial dryness indicates the moisture is cooking off, which is normal at this point.
  3. Build Those Flavors: Add the diced onion and bell pepper to the skillet and cook for about 4 minutes until they start to soften. Then add the minced garlic and Cajun spice blend, cooking for another minute until aromatic.
  4. Create the Saucy Magic: Stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and chicken broth. The brown sugar balances the heat, while chicken broth keeps the mixture moist. Simmer for 8-10 minutes until the sauce thickens to a rich consistency.
  5. Prepare for Serving: Toast the hamburger buns if desired. Spoon the spicy Cajun chicken mixture onto each bun and top with coleslaw and pickles for texture and flavor contrast.

Notes

  • Adjust the cayenne pepper based on your preferred spice level.
  • Do not overcook the ground chicken to avoid toughness; the broth helps maintain moisture.
  • The mixture tastes even better the next day as flavors meld; great for meal prep.
  • Freeze any leftovers for up to 3 months; thaw overnight before reheating gently.
  • For a kid-friendly version, reduce the cayenne pepper by half.
  • You can substitute ground turkey if desired, though it may be slightly less juicy.
  • If you don’t have all the spices, use 2-3 tablespoons of store-bought Cajun seasoning.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cajun chicken, sloppy joes, spicy chicken sandwich, ground chicken recipe, New Orleans flavors, easy dinner, Cajun spices, summer recipe

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