Description
A bold Louisiana twist on the classic sloppy joe, featuring tender chicken, spicy Cajun seasoning, and a hearty, messy flavor explosion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced small
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (plus more to taste)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 4–6 burger buns, toasted
- 2 tablespoons butter (for toasting buns)
- Sliced pickles or jalapeños, optional
- Chopped parsley or green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced chicken and 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning. Cook 4–5 minutes until lightly browned, then transfer to a plate.
- In the same skillet, sauté onion, bell pepper, and celery for 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Add garlic, remaining Cajun seasoning, and smoked paprika. Cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Return chicken to the skillet. Stir in tomato sauce, tomato paste, and chicken broth.
- Mix in apple cider vinegar and brown sugar. Simmer 6–8 minutes until sauce thickens.
- Season with salt, black pepper, and more Cajun seasoning to taste.
- Toast burger buns with butter until golden.
- Spoon chicken mixture onto buns. Top with pickles or jalapeños and garnish with parsley or green onions. Serve warm.
Notes
For a lighter twist, use ground chicken or turkey. Whole wheat buns and reduced brown sugar make it a healthier option.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 880mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: Cajun chicken, sloppy joes, sandwich, spicy, easy dinner