Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes with Creamy Cheese Sauce Recipe

Introduction

Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes with Creamy Cheese Sauce offer a flavorful twist on a classic favorite. Tender ground chicken is cooked with bold Cajun spices and topped with a rich, cheesy sauce for a comforting meal that’s perfect any night of the week.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb ground chicken
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 cup tomato sauce (canned)
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp brown sugar (optional)
• Salt, to taste
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 cup whole milk
• 8 oz sharp cheddar or American cheese, freshly shredded
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• Pinch of salt
• 4–6 brioche hamburger buns (split, toasted)
• Softened butter (for toasting, as needed)
• Freshly ground black pepper (to finish)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground chicken and cook, breaking it up, until no longer pink, about 5–7 minutes. Stir in the chopped onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until translucent.
2. Step 2: Add minced garlic and Cajun seasoning to the skillet; cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in tomato paste until the mixture becomes glossy and deep red.
3. Step 3: Pour in chicken broth, tomato sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir to combine and simmer uncovered on low heat for 8–10 minutes until thick and spoonable. Season with salt to taste and add brown sugar if you prefer a touch of sweetness. If the mixture becomes too thick, add 1–2 tablespoons of broth to loosen it.
4. Step 4: Prepare the cheese sauce by melting butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute to form a pale roux.
5. Step 5: Slowly whisk in milk and cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Reduce heat to low.
6. Step 6: Stir in shredded cheese and paprika until melted and silky. Season with a pinch of salt. Avoid boiling the sauce after adding cheese to prevent curdling.
7. Step 7: Butter the cut sides of brioche buns and toast them in a hot pan or under the broiler for 1–2 minutes until golden brown.
8. Step 8: Spoon a generous amount of the Cajun chicken filling onto each bottom bun. Ladle warm cheese sauce over the top so it cascades down the sides. Finish with a grind of black pepper and cap with the top bun. Serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

• For extra smoky flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika to the Cajun chicken filling.
• Use ground turkey or pork instead of chicken for a different twist.
• If you like it spicier, increase the Cajun seasoning or add a dash of hot sauce to the filling.
• Try adding pickled jalapeños or sliced avocado to the sandwiches for added texture and flavor.

Storage

Store leftover Cajun chicken filling and cheese sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, to prevent the cheese sauce from separating. Assemble sandwiches fresh before serving to keep the buns from becoming soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the Cajun seasoning at home?

Yes, a simple homemade Cajun seasoning blends paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Adjust the cayenne level to control heat.

What type of cheese works best for the sauce?

Sharp cheddar or American cheese melts smoothly and creates a creamy texture. Feel free to experiment with Monterey Jack or processed cheese slices for variation.

Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes with Creamy Cheese Sauce Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 88 reviews

This Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes recipe features tender ground chicken cooked with bold Cajun spices and a rich tomato base, topped with a creamy, silky cheese sauce and served on toasted brioche buns. Perfect for a flavorful twist on a classic comfort food, these sloppy joes offer a delightful balance of smoky, spicy, and savory flavors with a creamy finish.

• Author: zara
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cajun Chicken Filling

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb ground chicken
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 cup tomato sauce (canned)
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp brown sugar (optional)
• Salt, to taste

Creamy Cheese Sauce

• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 cup whole milk
• 8 oz sharp cheddar or American cheese, freshly shredded
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• Pinch of salt

Assembly

• 4–6 brioche hamburger buns, split and toasted
• Softened butter, for toasting
• Freshly ground black pepper, for finishing

Instructions

1. Make the Cajun Chicken Filling: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground chicken and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until no longer pink, approximately 5–7 minutes. Stir in the finely chopped onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until translucent. Add the minced garlic and Cajun seasoning and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Mix in the tomato paste until the meat turns glossy and brick-red in color. Pour in the chicken broth, tomato sauce, and Worcestershire sauce; stir well. Let the mixture simmer uncovered on low heat for 8–10 minutes until thickened to a spoonable consistency. Season with salt to taste and add brown sugar for a hint of sweetness if desired. If the mixture becomes too thick, splash 1–2 tablespoons of broth to loosen it.
2. Make the Creamy Cheese Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute to form a pale roux. Slowly pour in the milk while whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Cook for 4–5 minutes, whisking often, until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded cheese and paprika until melted and silky smooth. Season with a pinch of salt. Avoid boiling after adding the cheese to prevent curdling.
3. Assemble the Sloppy Joes: Butter the cut sides of the brioche buns and toast them in a hot pan or under the broiler for 1–2 minutes until golden brown. Spoon a generous portion of the Cajun chicken filling onto the bottom half of each bun. Ladle the warm cheese sauce over the filling, allowing it to cascade over the sides. Finish with a few grinds of black pepper. Cap with the top bun and serve immediately. Tip: Assemble over a parchment-lined tray to catch any extra sauce drips, which are perfect for dipping fries.

Notes

• Use ground chicken breast or thigh depending on your preference for lean or slightly fattier meat.
• Cajun seasoning can be store-bought or homemade; adjust heat level accordingly.
• For a thicker filling, let it simmer longer; for a thinner sauce, add extra broth.
• Toasting the buns enhances texture and keeps them from getting soggy.
• Freshly shredded cheese melts better than pre-shredded varieties for the sauce.

Keywords: Cajun chicken sloppy joes, creamy cheese sauce, ground chicken sandwich, spicy sloppy joe, Cajun sandwich recipe, comfort food, brioche buns