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Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes

Spicy ground chicken sloppy joes with bold Cajun seasonings, perfect for quick weeknight dinners and casual gatherings.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 sandwiches
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Cajun
Calories: 340
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 pound ground chicken
  • 1 medium yellow onion finely diced
  • 1 medium green bell pepper finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
Seasonings
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 0.5 cup water or chicken broth
  • 6 hamburger buns toasted

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Wooden spoon
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Method
 

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering and hot.
  2. Add ground chicken to the skillet, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, and cook for 5-7 minutes until no longer pink and lightly browned.
  3. Add diced onion and bell pepper to the skillet, stirring frequently and cooking for 4-5 minutes until vegetables soften.
  4. Stir in minced garlic and all seasonings (paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper), cooking for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  5. Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and water or broth to the skillet, stirring well to combine.
  6. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens to desired consistency.
  7. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, adding more cayenne for heat or brown sugar for sweetness.
  8. Toast hamburger buns lightly until golden brown on the cut surfaces.
  9. Spoon generous portions of Cajun chicken mixture onto bottom buns and top with remaining bun halves.
  10. Serve immediately while hot with plenty of napkins.

Notes

For extra heat, add diced jalapeños or increase cayenne pepper. This mixture tastes even better the next day and freezes well for up to 3 months. Serve with coleslaw, pickles, or cheese for added flavor.