Description
Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes offer a fiery, flavorful twist on the classic sloppy joe sandwich. Tender chicken breast cubes are seasoned with a robust blend of Cajun spices, sautéed with onions, bell peppers, and garlic, then simmered in a rich tomato-based sauce with a hint of heat and sweetness. Served on toasted hamburger buns and customizable with toppings like coleslaw and shredded cheese, these sandwiches are a perfect spicy comfort food for game days or casual dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Cajun Seasoning Blend (if making homemade)
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper (adjust to spice preference)
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Vegetables and Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
To Serve
- 8 hamburger buns
- Optional toppings: coleslaw, shredded cheddar cheese, pickled jalapeños, hot sauce
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine the cubed chicken breasts with olive oil, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper (if using), and salt and pepper. Toss until the chicken is evenly coated with the spices.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a large skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken in a single layer, working in batches if needed. Cook for 5-7 minutes until chicken is cooked through and lightly browned on all sides, being careful not to overcook.
- Set Aside the Chicken: Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and place in a bowl. Cover with foil to keep warm while preparing the sauce.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In the same skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and green bell pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes until softened and translucent, stirring occasionally.
- Add Garlic: Stir in minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, avoiding burning.
- Combine Sauce Ingredients: Pour in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes with juices, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, chili powder, and cayenne pepper (if using). Stir to combine thoroughly.
- Simmer the Sauce: Bring sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Let it simmer gently for 15-20 minutes until slightly thickened and flavors meld, stirring occasionally.
- Season to Taste: Taste the sauce and adjust salt, pepper, or cayenne pepper to your preference.
- Add Chicken to Sauce: Return the cooked Cajun chicken to the skillet and stir well to coat with the sauce.
- Simmer Together: Let the chicken and sauce simmer together for an additional 5-10 minutes to allow flavors to fully meld, stirring occasionally.
- Prepare the Buns: Lightly toast hamburger buns if desired to prevent sogginess and add texture.
- Spoon the Filling: Fill the bottom half of each bun generously with the Cajun chicken sloppy joe mixture.
- Add Toppings (Optional): Top with coleslaw, shredded cheddar cheese, pickled jalapeños, hot sauce, or your favorite toppings.
- Serve Immediately: Place the top halves on the buns and serve hot for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Cooking chicken in batches helps avoid overcrowding and ensures even browning.
- Adjust the cayenne pepper quantity to control the heat level to your taste.
- To prevent buns from getting soggy, toasting them lightly is recommended.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
- This recipe can be adapted to be gluten-free by using gluten-free buns and checking Worcestershire sauce ingredients.
