Description
Spicy Cajun chicken sloppy joes bring Louisiana flavors to classic comfort food. Zesty seasoning and hearty chicken create a mouthwatering meal that satisfies deep cravings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) ground chicken
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 small green bell pepper, diced
- 1 small red bell pepper, diced
- 1.5 tbsps Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp brown sugar (optional, for a touch of sweetness)
- 0.5 cup ketchup
- 2 tbsps tomato paste
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp hot sauce (optional, for extra heat)
- 0.5 cup chicken broth
- 4 hamburger buns, toasted
- Optional toppings: sliced pickles, coleslaw, shredded cheese
Instructions
- Sauté Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, crumble ground chicken, and cook until completely browned and no pink remains.
- Develop Flavor Base: Add diced onions, green and red bell peppers, and minced garlic, sautéing until vegetables become translucent and release their aromatic qualities.
- Spice Infusion: Sprinkle Cajun seasoning and smoked paprika across the mixture, stirring to activate and intensify the spices’ deep flavor profile.
- Create Sauce: Lower heat to medium, incorporate ketchup, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, chicken broth, and brown sugar, stirring to combine and allow sauce to simmer and thicken.
- Final Seasoning: Adjust taste with salt and additional spices, ensuring a harmonious and vibrant flavor balance.
- Assemble Sandwiches: Toast buns, generously spoon the spicy chicken mixture onto each base, and garnish with optional toppings like pickles, coleslaw, or melted cheese.
- Serve: Plate immediately with complementary sides such as crispy fries, chips, or a fresh garden salad for a complete and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Spice Management: Adjust Cajun seasoning gradually to control heat intensity, preventing overwhelming spiciness for sensitive palates.
- Meat Moisture Trick: Avoid overcooking ground chicken by monitoring skillet, ensuring meat remains juicy and tender without becoming dry.
- Sauce Consistency Control: Simmer sauce slowly, stirring occasionally to prevent burning and achieve perfect thick, clingy texture that coats chicken evenly.
- Dietary Adaptation: Swap ground chicken with turkey for lower-fat option, use gluten-free buns for celiac-friendly version, or serve over cauliflower rice for low-carb alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg