Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes with Creamy Cheese Sauce Recipe
Introduction
Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes are a spicy twist on a classic comfort food, featuring tender ground chicken simmered in a flavorful Cajun sauce. Topped with a rich, creamy cheese sauce and served on toasted brioche buns, this dish is sure to satisfy your craving for something bold and delicious.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce (canned)
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp brown sugar (optional)
- salt (to taste)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 8 oz sharp cheddar or American cheese, freshly shredded
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- salt (pinch)
- 4–6 brioche hamburger buns, split and toasted
- softened butter (for toasting, as needed)
- freshly ground black pepper (to finish)
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground chicken and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until no longer pink, about 5–7 minutes. Stir in the chopped onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until translucent.
- Step 2: Add minced garlic and Cajun seasoning to the skillet; cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in tomato paste until the meat mixture turns glossy and deep brick-red in color.
- Step 3: Pour in chicken broth, tomato sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir well and simmer uncovered on low heat for 8–10 minutes, until the mixture thickens to a spoonable consistency. Season with salt to taste and add brown sugar if you prefer a subtle sweet heat. If the mixture becomes too thick, add 1–2 tablespoons of broth to loosen.
- Step 4: To make the cheese sauce, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute to form a pale roux.
- Step 5: Gradually whisk in the milk and cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and lightly coats the back of a spoon. Reduce heat to low, then stir in shredded cheese and paprika until melted and smooth. Season with a pinch of salt. Avoid boiling the sauce after adding cheese.
- Step 6: Butter the cut sides of brioche buns and toast them in a hot pan or under the broiler for 1–2 minutes until golden.
- Step 7: Spoon a generous amount of the Cajun chicken mixture onto each toasted bun bottom. Ladle warm cheese sauce over the chicken so it drapes down the sides. Finish with a grind of black pepper, then cap with the top bun and serve immediately.
Tips & Variations
- Use homemade Cajun seasoning for a more personalized flavor blend.
- Substitute ground turkey for chicken if preferred.
- Add a splash of hot sauce to the cheese sauce for extra kick.
- Serve with crispy fries or a side salad to complete the meal.
- Build sandwiches over a parchment-lined tray to catch any drips of cheese sauce for dipping.
Storage
Store leftover Cajun chicken, cheese sauce, and buns separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the chicken and cheese sauce gently on the stove to prevent curdling, then assemble sandwiches fresh. Avoid storing assembled sandwiches to keep buns from becoming soggy.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make the cheese sauce gluten-free. Also, check that your Cajun seasoning and buns are gluten-free or use gluten-free buns.
How spicy is this Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joe?
The heat level depends on the Cajun seasoning used. For milder flavor, use less seasoning or choose a milder blend. Adding brown sugar balances the spice with a touch of sweetness.
PrintCajun Chicken Sloppy Joes with Creamy Cheese Sauce Recipe
These Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes combine a spicy, flavorful ground chicken filling with a rich, creamy cheese sauce, all served on toasted brioche buns. The Cajun seasoning adds a smoky heat that’s perfectly balanced by the luscious cheese topping, making for a comforting and delicious twist on classic sloppy joes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Cajun Chicken Filling
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce (canned)
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp brown sugar (optional)
- salt to taste
Creamy Cheese Sauce
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 8 oz sharp cheddar or American cheese, freshly shredded
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- pinch of salt
Assembly
- 4–6 brioche hamburger buns, split and toasted
- softened butter for toasting buns
- freshly ground black pepper to finish
Instructions
- Make the Cajun Chicken Filling: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground chicken and cook, crumbling it with a spoon, until no longer pink, about 5–7 minutes. Stir in the finely chopped onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until translucent. Add the minced garlic and Cajun seasoning, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant. Mix in the tomato paste until the meat mixture becomes glossy and deep red. Pour in the chicken broth, tomato sauce, and Worcestershire sauce and stir to combine. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 8–10 minutes until the mixture thickens and is spoonable. Season with salt to taste and add the optional brown sugar to balance the heat. If the mixture tightens too much, add 1–2 tbsp chicken broth to loosen it.
- Make the Creamy Cheese Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute to create a pale roux. Slowly whisk in the whole milk, continuing to cook and whisk for 4–5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded cheese and paprika until the cheese has melted and the sauce is silky smooth. Season with a pinch of salt and avoid boiling after adding the cheese to keep the sauce smooth.
- Assemble the Sloppy Joes: Butter the cut sides of the brioche buns and toast them in a hot pan or under the broiler for 1–2 minutes until golden and crisp. Spoon a generous portion of the Cajun chicken filling onto the bottom halves of the buns. Ladle warm cheese sauce over the chicken so it cascades down the sides. Finish by grinding freshly ground black pepper over the sauce. Cap each open sandwich with the top bun and serve immediately. For less mess, assemble the sandwiches over a parchment-lined tray to catch any sauce drips, which are perfect for dipping fries.
Notes
- Brown sugar in the filling is optional but helps to balance the heat with a touch of sweetness.
- If the meat mixture thickens too much during simmering, add extra chicken broth a tablespoon at a time to keep it spoonable.
- Use freshly shredded cheese for the best melting and smooth sauce texture.
- Toast the buns just before assembling to keep them warm and crisp without becoming soggy.
- Building the sandwiches over a lined tray will catch any drips and make for easier cleanup.
Keywords: Cajun chicken, Sloppy Joe, creamy cheese sauce, spicy, ground chicken sandwich, quick dinner
