Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes Creamy Cheese (Printable Version)
Spicy Cajun chicken on toasted buns topped with rich, homemade cheddar sauce ready in 40 minutes.
# What You Need:
→ For the Cajun Chicken
01 - 1 lb 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
→ For the 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 soft brioche or hamburger buns, split and lightly toasted
21 - Sliced green onions or chopped parsley
# How to Make It:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and bell pepper; sauté for 3 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add ground chicken, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until no longer pink. Sprinkle in Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, cayenne (if using), salt, and pepper. Stir well. Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix thoroughly. Simmer uncovered for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
02 - While the chicken simmers, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute. Slowly add milk, whisking constantly, until smooth. Cook until slightly thickened, 2–3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cheddar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until cheese melts and sauce is smooth.
03 - Spoon a generous portion of Cajun chicken mixture onto each toasted bun bottom. Drizzle with creamy cheese sauce. Sprinkle with green onions or parsley, if desired. Cap with bun tops and serve warm.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The spicy chicken and creamy cheese sauce create this incredible sweet and smoky flavor combo that keeps everyone coming back for seconds
- Everything comes together in under 40 minutes, making it perfect for those hectic weeknights when you want something special but don't have hours to cook
02 -
- The chicken mixture will continue thickening as it sits off the heat, so don't worry if it seems a bit loose at first
- Always remove your cheese sauce from the heat before adding cheese—high heat can cause it to separate and get grainy
03 -
- Let the chicken mixture rest for about 5 minutes off the heat before serving to let everything come together
- Warm your buns in the oven for a few minutes before toasting them for that extra cozy factor