Description
Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes are a spicy and creamy twist on the classic sloppy joe sandwich, featuring ground chicken cooked with aromatic vegetables, robust Cajun seasoning, and finished with a rich tomato and cream sauce. Perfect for a quick and flavorful weeknight meal, these sandwiches are served on toasted burger rolls with cheese, slaw, sour cream, and shredded lettuce for a satisfying bite.
Ingredients
Vegetables and Seasonings
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 rib celery, finely chopped
- ½ green bell pepper, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- ½ tbsp brown sugar
- ½-1 tsp hot sauce (optional)
- ¼ tsp salt
Main Ingredients
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 lb ground chicken
- ½ cup crushed tomatoes
- ½ cup heavy cream
For Serving
- 4 burger rolls
- Sliced cheese
- Slaw
- Sour cream
- Shredded lettuce
Instructions
- Heat fats: Melt the oil and butter together in a large skillet over medium-low heat to prepare the base for sautéing the vegetables and cooking the chicken.
- Sauté vegetables: Add finely chopped onion, celery, and green bell pepper to the skillet. Cook for 7-8 minutes until the vegetables soften and reduce, developing a flavorful, tender base.
- Cook chicken: Add the ground chicken to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook for about 5 minutes until the chicken changes color to opaque, indicating it is mostly cooked through.
- Add seasoning and garlic: Sprinkle the Cajun seasoning and minced garlic over the chicken. Stir and cook for about one minute, taking care not to let the garlic brown or burn.
- Add liquids and simmer: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, brown sugar, hot sauce (if using), and heavy cream. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients, then reduce the heat to low to allow flavors to meld.
- Simmer mixture: Let the mixture cook uncovered for about 15 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking and promote thickening.
- Season to taste: Taste the meat mixture and adjust seasoning by adding salt as needed for balance and depth of flavor.
- Prepare rolls and serve: Toast the burger rolls until golden and warm. Then assemble the sandwiches by spooning the Cajun chicken mixture onto the rolls, topping with sliced cheese, slaw, sour cream, and shredded lettuce for a complete meal.
Notes
- Cajun seasoning can be store-bought or homemade, typically containing paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, and black pepper.
- Adjust salt carefully as the Cajun seasoning and other components may already contain sodium.
- Stirring frequently during simmering prevents the mixture from sticking to the pan and ensures even cooking and thickening.
- Toasting the burger rolls enhances their texture and flavor, providing a sturdy base for the juicy filling.
