Description

Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes offer a hearty, bold, and quick meal featuring tender ground chicken infused with zesty Cajun seasonings and a rich, tangy tomato sauce. This spicy twist on a classic sloppy joe delivers the perfect balance of heat and comfort, making it an ideal family-friendly dinner option ready in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein and Base

1 lb ground chicken

Vegetables and Aromatics

1 medium onion, diced
1 cup bell peppers, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced

Seasonings and Sauces

2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
1/2 teaspoon salt (to taste)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup tomato sauce
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon oil (for sautéing)

Bread

8 slider buns or hamburger buns, toasted

Instructions

Sauté Onions and Peppers: Heat a skillet over medium heat with a tablespoon of oil. Add diced onions and bell peppers, cooking for 4-5 minutes until softened and translucent to build a flavorful base.
Cook the Ground Chicken: Add ground chicken to the skillet. Break it apart with a spatula and cook, stirring frequently, until no longer pink and evenly browned without drying out the meat.
Add Garlic and Cajun Seasonings: Stir in minced garlic, Cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Allow the spices to toast briefly, awakening their flavors and infusing the mixture with signature spicy warmth.
Mix in Tomato Sauce and Ketchup: Pour in tomato sauce and ketchup, then add Worcestershire sauce. Simmer gently for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and coats every piece of chicken.
Assemble the Sloppy Joes: Spoon the hot Cajun chicken mixture onto toasted slider or hamburger buns. Serve immediately for the best texture contrast between crispy buns and saucy filling.

Notes

Fresh Cajun Seasoning: Using homemade or freshly purchased Cajun seasoning provides better flavor than overly salty or stale pre-packaged blends.
Don’t Overcook the Chicken: Cook until no longer pink to keep the meat moist; overcooking leads to dryness.
Balance the Heat: Start with less Cajun spice and adjust gradually to control spiciness.
Sauce Thickness: If the sauce is too thin, simmer uncovered a few extra minutes until your preferred consistency is reached.
Toast the Buns: Toast buns quickly in a pan or oven to prevent sogginess and enhance texture.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 sandwich
Calories: 320
Sugar: 6 g
Sodium: 650 mg
Fat: 10 g
Saturated Fat: 2 g
Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 30 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 26 g
Cholesterol: 75 mg

Keywords: Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes, spicy sloppy joe, quick dinner, ground chicken recipe, family-friendly, one-pan meal, Southern cuisine