Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes
A Cajun-spiced twist on a classic, these ground chicken sloppy joes are simmered in a zesty tomato sauce and piled onto toasted brioche buns with your choice of bold toppings.
This recipe transforms tender ground chicken into a flavorful Cajun-inspired version of sloppy joes, simmered with onion, bell pepper, garlic, and a tangy-sweet tomato sauce enhanced with Worcestershire, hot sauce, and warm spices. Served on toasted brioche or hamburger buns, the saucy chicken mixture is hearty, slightly smoky, and customizable with toppings like cheese, pickles, coleslaw, or spicy mayo for an extra kick. It’s a quick, comforting meal that puts a bold twist on a nostalgic classic.
Servings
4
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
20 minutes
Total Time
35 minutes
Ingredients
For the Chicken
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb total)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 small green bell pepper, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 brioche or hamburger buns, toasted
For the Sloppy Sauce
1/2 cup tomato sauce
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon hot sauce
1 teaspoon brown sugar (optional)
For the Seasoning
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (adjust to heat preference)
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt (to taste)
Optional Toppings
Cheese slices
Pickles
Coleslaw
Spicy mayo
Instructions
Grind the Chicken
Cube chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces and freeze 15–20 minutes to firm. Pulse in a food processor until finely ground (not pasty).
Sauté the Veggies
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium. Add onion and bell pepper; cook 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds.
Cook the Chicken
Add ground chicken, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook 5–6 minutes until no longer pink.
Season
Stir in Cajun seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook 1 minute to bloom the spices.
Make it Sloppy
Add tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire, hot sauce, and brown sugar. Reduce heat and simmer 5–7 minutes until thick and saucy.
Toast & Serve
Toast buns, spoon on the chicken mixture, and add your favorite toppings. Serve hot.
Cube chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces and freeze 15–20 minutes to firm. Pulse in a food processor until finely ground (not pasty).
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium. Add onion and bell pepper; cook 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds.
Add ground chicken, breaking it up with a spoon.
Cook 5–6 minutes until no longer pink.
Stir in Cajun seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook 1 minute to bloom the spices.
Add tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire, hot sauce, and brown sugar. Reduce heat and simmer 5–7 minutes until thick and saucy.
Toast buns, spoon on the chicken mixture, and add your favorite toppings. Serve hot.
