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Zesty Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes

Lean ground chicken simmered with the Cajun holy trinity and bold Louisiana spices in a rich tomato sauce, served on toasted brioche buns for an easy 30-minute weeknight dinner.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Cajun
Calories: 430

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lbs ground chicken or ground turkey
  • 1 green bell pepper diced
  • 1 small yellow onion diced
  • 2 stalks celery diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar or honey
  • 1.5 tablespoons Cajun seasoning adjust to heat preference
  • 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • salt and black pepper to taste
  • 4 brioche or whole wheat buns
  • 1 tablespoon butter for toasting buns
  • sliced pickles or pickled jalapeƱos optional for serving

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • spatula
  • Small skillet or broiler for toasting buns

Method
 

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground chicken and break it into small crumbles as it cooks. Cook until fully browned with no pink remaining, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain any excess liquid from the pan.
  2. Add the diced green pepper, onion, and celery to the skillet. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and the onion is translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
  3. Stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, Cajun seasoning, and smoked paprika. Mix until fully combined and the tomato paste is evenly incorporated.
  4. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens to a sloppy joe consistency. Add a splash of chicken broth or water if it becomes too thick. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  5. While the filling simmers, butter the cut sides of each bun and toast in a skillet over medium heat or under the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes until golden brown.
  6. Spoon a generous portion of the Cajun chicken filling onto each toasted bun. Top with sliced pickles or pickled jalapeƱos and serve immediately.

Notes

Storage: Store filling separately from buns in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of broth or water. Freezer: Freeze filling for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Substitutions: Stir in 2 tablespoons of cream cheese or heavy cream at the end for a creamy Cajun version. Use ground turkey in place of ground chicken. Slow cooker: Brown chicken and vegetables on the stovetop first, then transfer to a slow cooker with sauce ingredients. Cook on Low for 4 to 5 hours.