Description
Spicy Cajun chicken sloppy joes deliver a mouthwatering southern comfort twist on classic sandwich fare. Zesty seasoning and bold flavors combine to create a hearty meal that will satisfy your craving for something deliciously different.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1.5 lb ground chicken
- 1 chicken breast
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Sauce and Binders:
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 4 hamburger buns
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, preparing to sauté the aromatic vegetables until they become translucent and fragrant.
- Add chopped onions and diced bell peppers to the skillet, cooking for 3-4 minutes until they soften and release their natural sweetness.
- Incorporate minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds, allowing the garlic to become wonderfully aromatic without burning.
- Introduce ground chicken and chicken breast to the skillet, breaking the meat into small crumbles and cooking until it’s no longer pink, approximately 6-8 minutes.
- Sprinkle cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper over the meat mixture, thoroughly mixing to ensure even distribution of robust flavors.
- Pour in tomato sauce, chicken broth, tomato paste, and worcestershire sauce, stirring to create a rich, harmonious sauce.
- Add brown sugar to balance the tanginess and create depth in the sauce, stirring continuously to prevent scorching.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer the mixture for 10-12 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Toast hamburger buns until golden brown and crisp around the edges.
- Generously spoon the spicy chicken mixture onto the prepared buns, ensuring each sandwich is loaded with the flavorful Cajun-style filling.
Notes
- Toast buns lightly for added crunch and to prevent soggy bottoms, keeping the sandwich structural and enjoyable.
- Swap ground chicken with ground turkey for a leaner protein option that maintains similar flavor profiles and texture.
- Reduce heat levels by cutting cajun seasoning quantity in half for those sensitive to spice, maintaining the dish’s signature zesty character.
- Create a gluten-free version by using lettuce wraps instead of hamburger buns, making the recipe accessible for diverse dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 440
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 53 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg