Description
Spicy Cajun chicken sloppy joes deliver a mouthwatering Louisiana-inspired twist on classic comfort food. Bold flavors merge perfectly, promising a zesty sandwich experience you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground chicken
Vegetables:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 small green bell pepper, diced
- 1 small red bell pepper, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Seasonings and Sauces:
- 1.5 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 0.5 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional, for extra heat)
- 0.5 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar (optional, for a touch of sweetness)
Bread and Optional Toppings:
- 4 hamburger buns, toasted
- Optional toppings: sliced pickles, coleslaw, shredded cheese
Additional Cooking Ingredient:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Warm a spacious skillet with olive oil over medium-high temperature, introducing ground chicken and fragmenting it methodically until thoroughly bronzed and completely cooked.
- Incorporate diced onions, green and red bell peppers, and minced garlic into the skillet, allowing vegetables to soften and release their aromatic essence.
- Sprinkle Cajun seasoning and smoked paprika across the mixture, gently toasting the spices to amplify their robust flavor profile.
- Reduce cooking temperature to medium, introducing ketchup, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, optional hot sauce, chicken broth, and brown sugar into the skillet.
- Stir ingredients thoroughly, permitting the sauce to simmer and gradually thicken while developing complex flavor dimensions.
- Taste and calibrate seasoning with additional salt if necessary, ensuring a balanced and vibrant taste experience.
- Select toasted buns and generously ladle the spicy chicken mixture onto each sandwich base.
- Customize with optional embellishments like tangy pickles, creamy coleslaw, or melted cheese to elevate the dish’s complexity.
- Present immediately alongside complementary sides such as crispy fries, crunchy chips, or a refreshing garden salad for a complete meal.
Notes
- Adjust spice levels by modifying the amount of Cajun seasoning for those who prefer milder or more intense flavors.
- Swap ground chicken with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for alternative protein options that maintain the dish’s zesty profile.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth and reduce added salt to create a heart-healthy version of this classic comfort food.
- Opt for whole wheat buns or lettuce wraps to make the recipe more diet-friendly and lower in carbohydrates.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg