Remember sloppy joes? That sweet, saucy, messy goodness that somehow made ground beef taste like childhood? Well, we’re taking that nostalgic comfort food and giving it a serious glow-up with Cajun spices and ground chicken. This isn’t your elementary school cafeteria version — this is smoky, spicy, tangy perfection that’ll have adults fighting over seconds. The chicken keeps things lighter than traditional beef, but the bold Cajun seasonings and rich tomato-based sauce make sure you’re not sacrificing any flavor. Plus, it’s ready in 20 minutes, which means you can have dinner on the table faster than you can say “laissez les bons temps rouler.”
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Way more exciting than regular sloppy joes
- Ground chicken = lighter but still satisfying
- One skillet, minimal cleanup
- Kid-approved but grown-up enough for date night
- Freezes beautifully for meal prep heroes
- Customizable heat level (from mild to “call the fire department”)
The Good Stuff You’ll Need
For the Cajun Chicken Base:
- 1 lb ground chicken (or turkey if that’s what you’ve got)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced (the holy trinity is real)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
For the Cajun Magic:
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp thyme
For the Saucy Goodness:
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp hot sauce (Louisiana-style preferred)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
For Serving:
- 6 hamburger buns (brioche if you’re feeling fancy)
- Pickles (mandatory)
- Coleslaw (optional but recommended)
- Hot sauce for the brave souls
Let’s Do This
Step 1: Build Your Flavor Foundation
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the holy trinity: onion, bell pepper, and celery. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until they’re getting soft and fragrant.
Add garlic and cook for another minute until it smells amazing.
Step 2: Season That Chicken
Push the veggies to one side of the pan and add the ground chicken.
Sprinkle all those beautiful Cajun spices over the chicken. Break it up with a wooden spoon and let it brown for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 3: Create the Sauce Magic
Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute (this deepens the flavor).
Add tomato sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and chicken broth.
Stir everything together and bring to a simmer.
Step 4: Let It Get Sloppy
Reduce heat to medium-low and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the flavors meld together.
Taste and adjust seasoning — more hot sauce? More brown sugar? You’re the boss.
Step 5: Serve It Up Right
Toast those buns if you’re feeling fancy (you should be).
Pile the Cajun chicken mixture high on the bottom bun, top with pickles, and add coleslaw if you’re going full Louisiana.
Slap on the top bun and prepare for delicious chaos.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with sweet potato fries, regular fries, or just a bag of chips — this is comfort food, not fine dining.
A cold beer or sweet tea pairs perfectly with the spicy-sweet flavors.
Make it a party with corn on the cob and mac and cheese on the side.
Switch It Up
Make It Vegetarian: Use plant-based ground “meat” or lentils. Add extra mushrooms for that meaty texture.
Dial Up the Heat: Add diced jalapeños or a chopped chipotle pepper in adobo.
Make It Smokier: Add a teaspoon of smoked paprika or a few drops of liquid smoke.
Go Low-Carb: Serve over cauliflower rice or stuffed in bell peppers.
Make It Cheesy: Top with shredded cheddar or pepper jack before adding the top bun.
Make-Ahead Tips
This stuff is even better the next day. Make a big batch and freeze portions for up to 3 months.
You can prep all the veggies ahead of time and store them in the fridge.
Leftovers keep for 4-5 days in the fridge. Just reheat and pile on fresh buns.
Questions People Actually Ask
Q: Can I use ground beef instead? A: Absolutely! Use 80/20 ground beef and follow the same steps. Just drain any excess fat after browning.
Q: How spicy is this? A: With the recipe as written, it’s got a nice kick but won’t burn your face off. Start with less cayenne if you’re heat-sensitive.
Q: Can I make this in a slow cooker? A: Sure! Brown the chicken and veggies first, then throw everything in the slow cooker for 2-3 hours on low.
Q: What’s the best bun for this? A: Brioche holds up to the sauce without falling apart, but any sturdy hamburger bun works. Avoid anything too soft or you’ll be eating it with a fork.
Q: Can I make this dairy-free? A: It already is! Just check your bun ingredients to be sure.
Print
Delicious Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Remember sloppy joes? That sweet, saucy, messy goodness that somehow made ground beef taste like childhood? Well, we’re taking that nostalgic comfort food and giving it a serious glow-up with Cajun spices and ground chicken. This isn’t your elementary school cafeteria version — this is smoky, spicy, tangy perfection that’ll have adults fighting over seconds. The chicken keeps things lighter than traditional beef, but the bold Cajun seasonings and rich tomato-based sauce make sure you’re not sacrificing any flavor. Plus, it’s ready in 20 minutes, which means you can have dinner on the table faster than you can say “laissez les bons temps rouler.”
Ingredients
For the Cajun Chicken Base:
- 1 lb ground chicken (or turkey if that’s what you’ve got)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced (the holy trinity is real)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
For the Cajun Magic:
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp thyme
For the Saucy Goodness:
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp hot sauce (Louisiana-style preferred)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
For Serving:
- 6 hamburger buns (brioche if you’re feeling fancy)
- Pickles (mandatory)
- Coleslaw (optional but recommended)
- Hot sauce for the brave souls
Instructions
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the holy trinity: onion, bell pepper, and celery. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until they’re getting soft and fragrant.
Add garlic and cook for another minute until it smells amazing.
Push the veggies to one side of the pan and add the ground chicken.
Sprinkle all those beautiful Cajun spices over the chicken. Break it up with a wooden spoon and let it brown for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute (this deepens the flavor).
Add tomato sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and chicken broth.
Stir everything together and bring to a simmer.
Reduce heat to medium-low and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the flavors meld together.
Taste and adjust seasoning — more hot sauce? More brown sugar? You’re the boss.
Toast those buns if you’re feeling fancy (you should be).
Pile the Cajun chicken mixture high on the bottom bun, top with pickles, and add coleslaw if you’re going full Louisiana.
Slap on the top bun and prepare for delicious chaos.
Notes
Serve with sweet potato fries, regular fries, or just a bag of chips — this is comfort food, not fine dining.
A cold beer or sweet tea pairs perfectly with the spicy-sweet flavors.
Make it a party with corn on the cob and mac and cheese on the side.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: ~320 kcal
- Carbohydrates: ~28g
- Protein: ~25g