Sloppy Joes are a beloved American classic, often made with seasoned ground beef or turkey. But if you’re craving something with a little more heat and flavor, look no further than Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes! This twist on the traditional recipe brings a zesty, spicy flair to the table, combining juicy, tender chicken with the bold flavors of Cajun seasoning. Whether you’re cooking for your family on a busy weeknight or serving up a fun dinner for friends, this easy-to-make recipe is sure to impress.
The Cajun seasoning infuses the chicken with a rich, aromatic blend of spices that are both smoky and spicy, creating a depth of flavor that will have everyone coming back for more. Paired with a tangy tomato-based sauce and served on soft buns, these sloppy joes are the perfect balance of savory and spicy.
Not only are these Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes packed with flavor, but they are also incredibly quick to make, taking under 30 minutes to prepare. Whether you’re new to cooking or an experienced chef, this recipe is simple enough for anyone to follow while still delivering big flavors.
If you’re looking for a meal that’s satisfying, flavorful, and easy to prepare, this Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes recipe is the perfect choice. With the bold flavors of Cajun seasoning and the comforting texture of a sloppy joe, this dish is sure to become a family favorite.
Why You Will Love Making This Recipe
There are so many reasons why you’ll fall in love with making these Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes! First, the combination of flavors is absolutely irresistible. The chicken is seasoned with a smoky, spicy Cajun seasoning blend that gives it a deliciously bold flavor. The tomato-based sauce ties everything together, creating the perfect balance between spicy, savory, and slightly sweet.
One of the best things about this recipe is how quick and easy it is to prepare. In under 30 minutes, you can have a hearty, flavorful meal on the table. This makes it perfect for busy weeknights or casual dinners when you want something delicious but don’t have a lot of time. The simple ingredients and straightforward cooking process make it a great choice for both novice and seasoned cooks.
In addition to its incredible flavor and ease, this recipe is incredibly versatile. You can customize it to your liking by adjusting the level of spiciness or adding your favorite toppings. If you want to make it a bit milder, reduce the Cajun seasoning or skip the hot sauce. For extra texture and flavor, add toppings like shredded cheese, pickles, or coleslaw.
What makes these Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes even better is how they’re a crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re feeding your family or hosting a casual get-together with friends, everyone will love the bold, spicy twist on the traditional sloppy joe. Serve them with crispy fries or a side salad for a complete meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground chicken (or chicken breast, shredded)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for extra heat)
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 hamburger buns
- Toppings (optional): Shredded cheese, pickles, coleslaw
Equipment Used
A large skillet or non-stick frying pan is ideal for cooking the ground chicken and sautéing the vegetables. A well-heated pan ensures even cooking.
A cutting board is necessary for chopping vegetables like onions, bell peppers, garlic, and any toppings like pickles or cilantro.
A sharp kitchen knife will make chopping vegetables quick and easy.
To ensure the correct amounts of spices and liquids, measuring spoons and cups are essential for accurate ingredient amounts.
A wooden spoon or spatula helps you stir the chicken and vegetables in the skillet while preventing sticking or burning.
A lid for the skillet can help trap heat while the sloppy joe mixture simmers, allowing the flavors to blend together quickly.
Use a toaster or a separate pan to lightly toast the buns to make them crisp and prevent them from getting soggy when adding the filling.
Tongs can be useful for assembling the sloppy joes, especially when placing toppings or transferring the buns.
Directions & Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground chicken and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon until it’s no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the Vegetables: Add the diced onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet with the chicken. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, until the vegetables are softened.
- Season the Chicken: Stir in the Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, chili powder, and cayenne pepper (if using). Let the spices cook for 1-2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Add the Sauce Ingredients: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir everything together, making sure the chicken and vegetables are well coated in the sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Simmer the Mixture: Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to blend and the sauce to thicken.
- Toast the Buns: While the chicken mixture is simmering, toast the hamburger buns in a separate pan or oven until they are golden brown.
- Assemble the Sloppy Joes: Spoon the Cajun chicken mixture onto the bottom half of each toasted bun. Add your favorite toppings such as shredded cheese, pickles, or coleslaw, and place the top half of the bun on top.
- Serve: Serve your delicious Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes immediately with your favorite side dish, and enjoy!
Nutritional Information
Each serving of Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes (1 sandwich with toppings) provides a balanced mix of protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrates, making it a satisfying meal. Below is the approximate nutritional breakdown per serving:
- Calories: 420
- Protein: 35g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugars: 10g
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated fat: 3g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
- Sodium: 800mg
- Potassium: 600mg
- Vitamin A: 15%
- Vitamin C: 30%
- Calcium: 6%
- Iron: 15%
This recipe is a great source of lean protein from the chicken, and the spices add a rich, flavorful kick without too many calories. You can lighten up the recipe by serving it without a bun or by using a whole-grain bun to increase fiber.
Variations
- Vegetarian Version: Substitute the ground chicken with plant-based protein like lentils, mushrooms, or a meatless ground option to make it vegetarian.
- Spicy Kick: Increase the cayenne pepper or add hot sauce for an extra level of heat.
- Cheesy Version: Add a slice of melted cheese like cheddar or pepper jack on top of the chicken mixture for a gooey, comforting version.
- Low-Carb Option: Serve the Cajun chicken mixture in lettuce wraps instead of buns for a low-carb alternative.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes! The Cajun chicken mixture can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Simply reheat before serving on toasted buns.
Can I freeze Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes?
Absolutely! The chicken mixture can be frozen for up to 3 months. Just store it in an airtight container and thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Can I use other meats besides chicken?
Yes! You can use ground turkey, beef, or even pork as an alternative to chicken. Adjust the cooking time if needed depending on the meat you choose.
How do I adjust the spice level?
To make it milder, reduce the amount of cayenne pepper and omit the hot sauce. For more heat, increase the cayenne or add chopped jalapeños to the mixture.
Pro Tips By Emma
- Layering Flavors: Let the Cajun spices cook with the chicken for a couple of minutes before adding the sauce ingredients to fully develop the flavors.
- Perfect Bun: Toast your buns just until golden to keep them soft and prevent them from becoming soggy when adding the sauce.
- Toppings: For extra crunch, top your sloppy joes with a bit of coleslaw or pickled jalapeños for a delightful contrast to the spicy chicken.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes with crispy fries, sweet potato wedges, or a refreshing green salad on the side. A cold drink like iced tea or a light beer pairs perfectly with this spicy, savory sandwich!
Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes : A Flavor-Packed Twist on a Classic
Equipment
- A large skillet or non-stick frying pan is ideal for cooking the ground chicken and sautéing the vegetables. A well-heated pan ensures even cooking.
- A cutting board is necessary for chopping vegetables like onions, bell peppers, garlic, and any toppings like pickles or cilantro.
- A sharp kitchen knife will make chopping vegetables quick and easy.
- To ensure the correct amounts of spices and liquids, measuring spoons and cups are essential for accurate ingredient amounts.
- A wooden spoon or spatula helps you stir the chicken and vegetables in the skillet while preventing sticking or burning.
- A lid for the skillet can help trap heat while the sloppy joe mixture simmers, allowing the flavors to blend together quickly.
- Use a toaster or a separate pan to lightly toast the buns to make them crisp and prevent them from getting soggy when adding the filling.
- Tongs can be useful for assembling the sloppy joes, especially when placing toppings or transferring the buns.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken or chicken breast, shredded
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 bell pepper diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional for extra heat
- 1 can 14 oz crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 hamburger buns
- Toppings optional: Shredded cheese, pickles, coleslaw
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground chicken and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon until it’s no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the Vegetables: Add the diced onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet with the chicken. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, until the vegetables are softened.
- Season the Chicken: Stir in the Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, chili powder, and cayenne pepper (if using). Let the spices cook for 1-2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Add the Sauce Ingredients: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir everything together, making sure the chicken and vegetables are well coated in the sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Simmer the Mixture: Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to blend and the sauce to thicken.
- Toast the Buns: While the chicken mixture is simmering, toast the hamburger buns in a separate pan or oven until they are golden brown.
- Assemble the Sloppy Joes: Spoon the Cajun chicken mixture onto the bottom half of each toasted bun. Add your favorite toppings such as shredded cheese, pickles, or coleslaw, and place the top half of the bun on top.
- Serve: Serve your delicious Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes immediately with your favorite side dish, and enjoy!
Notes
Top with melted cheese such as cheddar or pepper jack for a creamy, gooey texture.
Use toasted brioche buns for a buttery, slightly sweet contrast to the spicy chicken.
Add tangy pickles or a spoonful of coleslaw for crunch and freshness.