Name: Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes with Creamy Cheese Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
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 and toasted; softened butter (for toasting); freshly ground black pepper (to finish)

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 and toasted

Softened butter (for toasting buns, as needed)

Freshly ground black pepper (to finish)

Instructions

Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground chicken and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until no longer pink, about 5–7 minutes. Stir in the chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 3–4 minutes.

Step 2: Add minced garlic and Cajun seasoning to the skillet. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in tomato paste until the meat mixture looks glossy and brick-red.

Step 3: Pour in chicken broth, tomato sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir to combine. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 8–10 minutes until the mixture thickens and is spoonable. Season with salt to taste and add brown sugar if desired to balance the heat. If mixture becomes too thick, add a splash of broth to loosen.

Step 4: To make the cheese sauce, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute to form a pale roux. Slowly whisk in milk and cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce coats the back of a spoon.

Step 5: Reduce heat to low. Stir in shredded cheese and paprika until melted and smooth. Season with a pinch of salt. Avoid boiling once cheese has been added.

Step 6: 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.

Step 7: Spoon a generous amount of the Cajun chicken filling onto the bottom half of each bun. Ladle warm cheese sauce over the top, allowing it to cascade over the sides. Finish with a grind of freshly ground black pepper, then cap with the top bun and serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

Add a splash of extra chicken broth if the filling thickens too much during simmering to keep it saucy.

Use smoked cheddar for a deeper, smokier flavor in the cheese sauce.

For extra heat, sprinkle in a pinch of cayenne or chopped jalapeño with the Cajun seasoning.

Serve with crispy fries or a side salad for a complete meal.

FAQs

Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken?

Yes, ground turkey is a great substitute and will work similarly in this recipe. It retains the flavors well and cooks in about the same time.

Is this recipe spicy?

The Cajun seasoning adds a moderate level of spice, but you can adjust the heat by reducing the seasoning or adding more for extra kick. The creamy cheese sauce helps balance the spiciness nicely.