Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes Creamy Cheese (Printable)
Spicy Cajun chicken topped with homemade cheese sauce on toasted buns
# What You'll Need:
→ For the Cajun Chicken
01 - 1 pound 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 for garnish
# Steps:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper; sauté for 3 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add ground chicken, breaking apart with a spatula, and cook until no longer pink. Sprinkle in Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, cayenne, 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 chicken simmers, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 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 Tips:
01 -
- The creamy cheese sauce balances the spicy Cajun chicken like a hug on a cold day
- Everything comes together in 40 minutes but tastes like it simmered all afternoon
- Ground chicken keeps it lighter than beef while still delivering all the comfort food satisfaction
02 -
- The cheese sauce will thicken as it sits, so make it just before serving or keep it warm over the lowest heat possible
- Letting the chicken mixture rest for a couple of minutes off the heat helps the flavors meld together beautifully
03 -
- Homemade Cajun seasoning is worth the extra five minutes and lets you control exactly how spicy things get
- Grating your own cheese instead of using pre-shredded makes for a smoother, creamier sauce