Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes (Printable Version)
Cajun-spiced chicken with rich cheddar sauce on toasted buns
# What You Need:
→ For the Cajun Chicken
01 - 1 lb ground chicken
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 small onion, finely diced
04 - 1 small green bell pepper, diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
07 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
11 - 3/4 cup tomato sauce
12 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
13 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
→ For the Creamy Cheese Sauce
14 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
15 - 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
16 - 3/4 cup milk
17 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
18 - 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
19 - Salt and pepper to taste
→ For Serving
20 - 4 soft brioche or hamburger buns, split and lightly toasted
21 - Sliced green onions or chopped parsley for garnish
# How To Make It:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and bell pepper; sauté for 3 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add ground chicken, breaking it apart with a spatula, and cook until no longer pink. Sprinkle in Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Stir well. Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix thoroughly and simmer uncovered for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
02 - While the chicken simmers, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Slowly add milk, whisking constantly, until smooth. Cook until slightly thickened, 2–3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cheddar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until cheese melts and sauce is smooth.
03 - Spoon a generous portion of Cajun chicken mixture onto each toasted bun bottom. Drizzle with creamy cheese sauce. Sprinkle with green onions or parsley, if desired. Cap with bun tops and serve warm.
# Helpful Hints:
01 -
- The spicy chicken mixture hits that perfect sweet spot between familiar comfort food and something that actually excites your tastebuds
- That creamy cheese sauce transforms everything—it essentially turns a casual weeknight dinner into something youd happily serve friends
02 -
- Let the chicken mixture thicken properly in the skillet—skipping this step means you end up with burgers that fall apart after two bites
- Whisk the cheese sauce constantly once you add the milk, because even one small lump ruins the whole velvety experience
03 -
- Mix your cheese sauce off the heat—high heat makes cheddar separate into a greasy mess that never comes back together
- Toast your buns in the oven for a few minutes rather than the toaster so they stay warm longer