Cajun chicken sloppy joes brown ground chicken with sautéed onion and pepper, then simmer it in a tomato-Worcestershire-Cajun sauce until thick enough to pile onto toasted buns, ready in about 25 minutes. Simmering the sauce for 5-7 minutes until thickened, rather than serving it right after combining, is what keeps the filling from being too loose to hold on a bun.
Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tsp Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Burger buns, toasted
- Optional toppings: sliced pickles, coleslaw, cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper; sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
- Stir in ground chicken, breaking it apart as it browns. Cook 5–6 minutes until no longer pink.
- Add tomato paste and stir to coat the meat evenly.
- Pour in tomato sauce, Worcestershire, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Reduce heat and simmer 5–7 minutes until thickened.
- Toast buns and spoon Cajun chicken mixture onto each bottom half.
- Top with desired garnishes and the other bun half. Serve warm!
Recipe Notes
- Adjust Cajun seasoning to your heat preference.
- Serve open-faced with coleslaw or over rice for a low-carb option.
- Leftovers reheat well and can be used in wraps or quesadillas.
Nutrition
- Serving Size
- 1 sandwich
- Calories
- 420
- Sugar
- 6g
- Sodium
- 620mg
- Fat
- 19g
- Saturated Fat
- 4g
- Unsaturated Fat
- 13g
- Trans Fat
- 0g
- Carbohydrates
- 32g
- Fiber
- 2g
- Protein
- 28g
- Cholesterol
- 85mg
Why you'll love this
- Sautéing the onion and pepper before adding the ground chicken builds a base flavor layer that plain browned meat alone wouldn't have.
- Stirring in tomato paste before the tomato sauce, rather than using sauce alone, gives the mixture extra body that helps it thicken into a scoopable, sandwich-friendly texture rather than staying watery.
Tips for the best result
- Adjust the Cajun seasoning to your heat preference, per the recipe's own notes, since blends vary in intensity by brand.
- Simmer until thickened, as the instructions specify, rather than serving the mixture too soon, since a loose filling will make for a messy sandwich.
Troubleshooting
The filling is too loose or watery.
Simmer it longer, uncovered, so more liquid evaporates and the mixture thickens further before it goes on the buns.
The dish isn't spicy enough.
Increase the Cajun seasoning or add extra smoked paprika, per the recipe's own notes, since the amount given is a solid starting point but easy to scale to taste.
Cajun Chikcne Sloppy Joes mixture turns out too watery.
don’t panic! Simply continue simmering uncovered to reduce the liquid, or stir in a tablespoon of tomato paste to thicken it quickly.
The recipe's own notes say leftovers reheat well and can be used in wraps or quesadillas.
The recipe's own notes suggest serving open-faced with coleslaw, or over rice for a low-carb option.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken for Cajun Chikcne Sloppy Joes?
Absolutely! Ground turkey works perfectly as a substitute with virtually identical cooking times. You might want to add a teaspoon of olive oil since turkey can be leaner than chicken.
How can I make these sloppy joes gluten-free?
Use gluten-free buns and double-check your Worcestershire sauce and Cajun seasoning for hidden gluten. Serving the mixture over rice or potatoes makes a great gluten-free alternative.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes! The filling actually improves with time as flavors meld. Make it up to 2 days ahead and reheat gently before serving on fresh buns.
What’s the best type of bun to use?
Brioche buns offer the perfect balance of sweetness and structure to hold the saucy filling. Toasting them lightly with butter prevents sogginess.
How spicy are Cajun Chikcne Sloppy Joes typically?
Traditional Cajun seasoning provides moderate heat. Adjust by reducing the seasoning or adding hot sauce to taste. Remember, you control the spice level!
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