Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes Creamy Cheese (Printer-Friendly)
Spicy Cajun chicken on toasted buns drizzled with rich cheddar sauce—a satisfying twist on a classic favorite.
# What You'll Need:
→ Cajun Chicken
01 - 1 pound ground chicken
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 small onion, finely diced
04 - 1 small green bell pepper, diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
07 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
11 - 3/4 cup tomato sauce
12 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
13 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
→ Creamy Cheese Sauce
14 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
15 - 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
16 - 3/4 cup milk
17 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
18 - 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
19 - Salt and pepper to taste
→ For Serving
20 - 4 brioche or hamburger buns, split and toasted
21 - Sliced green onions or chopped parsley for garnish
# How to Make It:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and bell pepper, sautéing for 3 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
02 - Add ground chicken to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until no longer pink, approximately 5-7 minutes.
03 - Sprinkle in Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to coat the chicken. Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix thoroughly and simmer uncovered for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens.
04 - While chicken simmers, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
05 - Slowly pour in milk while whisking continuously until smooth. Cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and stir in shredded cheddar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until cheese melts completely and sauce is velvety smooth.
06 - Lightly toast the cut sides of brioche or hamburger buns until golden brown.
07 - Place a generous portion of Cajun chicken mixture onto each toasted bun bottom. Drizzle generously with warm cheese sauce. Garnish with sliced green onions or chopped parsley if desired. Top with bun tops and serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The spicy chicken and creamy cheese sauce create an irresistible sweet and heat balance that keeps everyone coming back for seconds
- It comes together in under 40 minutes but tastes like something from a restaurant that took hours to prepare
02 -
- The chicken mixture will continue thickening as it sits off heat, so do not over-reduce it during cooking or it will become paste-like
- Always remove the cheese sauce from heat before adding cheese, or the proteins can separate and make your sauce grainy instead of smooth
03 -
- Mix your Cajun seasoning in bulk and store it in a jar so you are always ready to make these on short notice
- Ground turkey works well if you prefer it, but chicken has a milder flavor that really lets the spices shine