Description
Ready to spice up your dinner routine? These Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes are packed with bold flavors, juicy ground chicken, and a little kick of heat that’s just right. It’s a mouthwatering twist on the classic sandwich, perfect for quick weeknight meals or casual get-togethers. Grab a bun and dig in things are about to get deliciously messy!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Sloppy Joe Filling:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
For Serving:
- 4 hamburger buns, toasted
- Optional toppings: lettuce leaves, sliced tomatoes, pickles
Instructions
- Heat it up!
In a large skillet, warm the olive oil over medium heat. Toss in the diced onion and bell pepper. Cook for about 3–4 minutes until softened and aromatic. - Get that chicken sizzling!
Add the ground chicken to the skillet. Break it up into small pieces with a spoon as it cooks. Stir occasionally until the meat is fully cooked and no longer pink, about 5–7 minutes. - Spice it up!
Sprinkle in the Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Stir well to coat the chicken and veggies with all that spicy goodness. - Sauce it and simmer!
Add the tomato sauce and tomato paste. Mix everything together and reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thick and saucy. - Time to build!
Spoon the hot, savory Cajun chicken filling onto the toasted buns. Add your favorite toppings, close it up, and enjoy the messy magic!
Notes
- Mild it down: Use half the Cajun seasoning for a kid-friendly version.
- Switch it up: Swap ground chicken for ground turkey if you like!
- Healthier option: Serve the filling in lettuce wraps instead of buns for a lighter, low-carb meal.
- Make ahead: You can prepare the filling in advance and simply reheat it when needed, perfect for meal prep.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 14g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Protein: 26g
Keywords: Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes, Easy Dinner, Spicy Chicken Sandwich, Weeknight Meal, Quick Recipes, Family Dinner, Southern Comfort Food, Sloppy Joe Variations