Zesty Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes
These Zesty Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes offer a flavorful twist on a classic, combining ground chicken with a vibrant blend of Cajun spices and a tangy, smoky sauce, all served on a toasted bun.
Equipment
- Large skillet or Dutch oven
- Spoon
- Toaster (optional)
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 medium yellow onion finely chopped
- 1 green bell pepper finely chopped
- 1 stalk celery finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning low sodium recommended
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1-2 tablespoons smoky barbecue sauce secret ingredient!
- 6-8 hamburger buns split
Optional Toppings
- Sliced pickles Optional
- jalapeños Optional
- shredded cheddar cheese Optional
- hot sauce Optional
Instructions
Cooking Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then cook ground chicken for 5-7 minutes until browned, breaking it apart; drain fat and set chicken aside.
- Reduce heat to medium, add onion, bell pepper, and celery to the skillet, sautéing for 5-8 minutes until softened, then stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, sprinkle with Cajun seasoning, and stir to coat; cook for 1-2 minutes to toast the spices.
- Pour in tomato sauce, chicken broth, Worcestershire, brown sugar, and mustard; stir, bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 15-20 minutes to meld flavors.
- Just before serving, stir in smoky barbecue sauce; taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- While sloppy joe mixture simmers, lightly toast hamburger buns in a dry skillet, under a broiler, or in a toaster.
- Spoon the hot Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joe mixture onto toasted buns, add desired toppings, and serve immediately.
Notes
For an extra kick, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper with the Cajun seasoning. If the mixture becomes too thick, a splash more chicken broth can loosen it up. Taste the mixture before serving and adjust the smoky barbecue sauce to your preference, as some brands are sweeter or spicier than others.