Description
These Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes are a bold twist on a classic comfort food, made with spicy, saucy ground chicken and topped with a creamy cheese sauce, all served on toasted brioche buns. A flavorful and satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- Cajun Chicken Filling:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar (optional)
- Salt, to taste
- Creamy Cheese Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar or American cheese, shredded
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- Salt, to taste
- Assembly:
- 4 to 6 brioche hamburger buns
- Softened butter, for toasting
- Freshly ground black pepper, to finish
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground chicken and cook until no longer pink.
- Add onion and cook until soft. Stir in garlic and Cajun seasoning; cook until fragrant.
- Mix in tomato paste and cook until glossy. Add chicken broth, tomato sauce, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Reduce heat and simmer until thickened. Season with salt and brown sugar (if using).
- For the cheese sauce, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute.
- Gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Cook until thickened. Reduce heat, stir in cheese and paprika until melted. Season with salt.
- Toast brioche buns with butter. Spoon Cajun chicken onto bottom buns, top with cheese sauce and black pepper. Add top buns and serve.
Notes
- Use extra-lean chicken for a lighter option.
- Add cayenne for more heat.
- Serve filling open-faced or over roasted vegetables.
- Reheat cheese sauce gently with milk if needed.
- Freeze only the chicken filling, not the cheese sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
