Description
Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes offer a zesty, spicy twist on the classic sloppy joe sandwich by using tender cubed chicken breasts seasoned with bold Cajun spices and simmered in a rich, flavorful tomato-based sauce. This crowd-pleasing dish combines sautéed vegetables and a blend of smoky, spicy seasonings, served on toasted hamburger buns and customizable with tasty toppings like coleslaw, shredded cheddar cheese, pickled jalapeños, or hot sauce.
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
- 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 your spice preference)
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Sloppy Joe 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, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Toss thoroughly to ensure the chicken is well 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, cooking in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding. Cook for about 5-7 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and lightly browned on all sides, careful not to overcook to keep it juicy.
- Set Aside: Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and place it in a bowl. Cover with foil to keep warm while you prepare the sauce.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In the same skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and green bell pepper and cook 5-7 minutes until softened and slightly translucent. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, avoiding burning to prevent bitterness.
- Combine Sauce Ingredients: Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes with their juice, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, chili powder, and optional cayenne pepper. Stir well to combine all ingredients uniformly.
- Simmer the Sauce: Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and flavors meld nicely.
- Season to Taste: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning by adding salt, pepper, and more cayenne pepper if you prefer extra heat.
- Add Chicken to Sauce: Return the cooked Cajun chicken to the skillet and stir well to coat the pieces evenly with the sauce.
- Simmer Together: Let the chicken and sauce simmer together for an additional 5-10 minutes to allow the chicken to absorb the rich flavors. Stir occasionally to avoid sticking.
- Prepare the Buns: Lightly toast the hamburger buns if desired to add texture and prevent sogginess from the filling.
- Spoon the Filling: Spoon a generous amount of the Cajun chicken Sloppy Joe mixture onto the bottom half of each toasted bun.
- Add Toppings (Optional): Add your preferred toppings such as coleslaw, shredded cheddar cheese, pickled jalapeños, or a dash of hot sauce to enhance the flavor and texture.
- Serve Immediately: Place the top half of the bun over the filling and serve immediately for the best taste and texture experience. Enjoy your spicy Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes!
Notes
- Adjust cayenne pepper to control the spiciness according to your preference.
- To prevent the chicken from drying out, do not overcook it during the initial searing stage.
- To keep buns from becoming soggy, toasting them is recommended before assembling the sandwiches.
- Leftover filling can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated on the stovetop over low heat.
- You can customize the toppings to suit your tastes or dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Cajun
