Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes (Printer-Friendly Version)

Bold Cajun chicken, sweet peppery sauce, and toasted buns deliver weeknight comfort with extra savory flair.

# Ingredients Needed:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - 1 tablespoon olive oil or unsalted butter
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
03 - 1 green bell pepper, diced small
04 - 2 celery ribs, diced
05 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 1.1 pounds ground chicken, preferably thigh meat

→ Seasonings and Sauce

07 - 1 to 1.5 tablespoons Cajun seasoning, or to taste
08 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - 1 tablespoon tomato paste
10 - 1/2 cup tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
11 - 2 teaspoons brown sugar or honey
12 - 1 teaspoon Dijon or yellow mustard
13 - 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce
14 - 1/3 cup chicken stock or water
15 - Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
16 - Pinch of cayenne pepper, optional

→ Serving

17 - Soft hamburger buns, toasted
18 - Dill pickle chips or sliced jalapeños, optional

# Step-by-Step Directions:

01 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil or butter. Once shimmering, add diced onion, bell pepper, and celery. Sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until vegetables are soft and fragrant.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Push vegetables to the edge of the skillet and add ground chicken to the center. Break up the chicken with a wooden spoon and cook until no longer pink, about 5 to 6 minutes.
03 - Sprinkle in Cajun seasoning and smoked paprika. Stir well and let spices cook for 1 minute to bloom.
04 - Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Add tomato sauce, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and chicken stock. Mix until combined and the mixture is uniformly saucy.
05 - Reduce heat to low and simmer for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens to a cohesive, spoonable consistency. Adjust with salt, pepper, and a pinch of cayenne if desired.
06 - Taste and, if needed, brighten the mixture with a small splash of vinegar or fresh lemon juice. Stir and remove from heat.
07 - Lightly toast the hamburger buns. Spoon the hot chicken mixture onto buns and top with pickles or jalapeños as preferred. Serve immediately.

# Helpful Hints:

01 - Allowing the tomato paste to cook briefly before adding liquids eliminates tinny flavors and builds depth.
02 - If your Cajun seasoning is salt-forward, reduce extra salt during seasoning.
03 - Ground chicken thigh provides a juicier filling compared to breast meat.
04 - The filling reheats well and can be prepared ahead and refrigerated for up to 3 days.
05 - For less mess and improved texture, always toast the buns before assembling.

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