Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes Recipe
These Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes bring a flavorful twist to a classic comfort food by infusing ground chicken with bold Cajun spices, creamy tomatoes, and a hint of heat. Served on toasted burger rolls with cheese, slaw, and fresh toppings, this easy-to-make sandwich is perfect for a hearty lunch or dinner with a Southern kick.
- Author: Nora
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: Sautéing and Simmering
- Cuisine: American, Cajun
- Diet: Halal
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 rib celery, finely chopped
- ½ green bell pepper, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Proteins and Dairy
- 1 lb ground chicken
- ½ cup heavy cream
- sliced cheese (amount as desired)
Liquids and Oils
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- ½ cup crushed tomatoes
Seasonings and Condiments
- 3 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- ½ tbsp brown sugar
- ½–1 tsp hot sauce (optional)
- ¼ tsp salt
Bread and Toppings
- 4 burger rolls
- slaw (amount as desired)
- sour cream (amount as desired)
- shredded lettuce (amount as desired)
- Melt fats: Melt the oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat to prepare the base for sautéing the vegetables.
- Sauté vegetables: Add the chopped onion, celery, and green bell pepper to the skillet. Cook for 7-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they soften and reduce in volume, releasing their flavors.
- Cook chicken: Add the ground chicken to the skillet and break it up with a spatula. Cook for about 5 minutes until the meat changes color from pink to white, ensuring it cooks through evenly.
- Add seasoning and garlic: Sprinkle the Cajun seasoning over the chicken, followed by the minced garlic. Stir and cook for about 1 minute, making sure the garlic does not brown or burn to avoid bitterness.
- Mix in liquids and sweetener: Add the crushed tomatoes, brown sugar, hot sauce (if using), and heavy cream. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients, then reduce heat to low for gentle simmering.
- Simmer mixture: Let the mixture cook on low heat for 15 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and to allow flavors to meld into a thick, creamy sauce.
- Season to taste: Taste the mixture and add salt as needed to balance and enhance the flavors.
- Prepare to serve: Toast the burger rolls until golden. Assemble the sloppy joes by spooning the chicken mixture onto rolls, topping with sliced cheese, slaw, sour cream, and shredded lettuce as desired.
Notes
- Cajun seasoning can be homemade by blending paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, oregano, thyme, salt, and black pepper.
- Adjust the salt carefully; the Cajun seasoning may contain salt, so taste before adding extra.
- Stirring frequently during simmering prevents the mixture from sticking and burning on the skillet bottom.
- For a milder version, reduce the Cajun seasoning or omit the hot sauce; for a spicier version, increase the hot sauce or add cayenne pepper.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich (including roll and toppings)
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: Cajun Chicken, Sloppy Joes, Sandwich, Cajun Seasoning, Ground Chicken, Creamy Sloppy Joe, Spicy Sandwich