Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes Creamy Cheese (Print Version)

Spicy Cajun ground chicken on toasted buns with rich cheddar cheese sauce. A comforting American classic with a Cajun kick.

# What You Need:

→ 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

→ 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 brioche or hamburger buns, split and toasted
21 - Sliced green onions or chopped parsley for garnish

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and bell pepper, sautéing for 3 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
02 - Add ground chicken to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until no longer pink. Sprinkle in Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to coat evenly.
03 - Pour in tomato sauce, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix thoroughly until combined. Simmer uncovered for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mixture thickens nicely.
04 - While chicken simmers, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to create a smooth roux.
05 - Slowly whisk in milk until smooth. Continue cooking for 2 to 3 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and stir in cheddar cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until cheese melts completely and sauce is silky smooth.
06 - Spoon a generous portion of Cajun chicken mixture onto each toasted bun bottom. Drizzle with creamy cheese sauce. Garnish with green onions or parsley if desired. Top with bun lids and serve immediately.

# Insider Tips:

01 -
  • Ground chicken stays incredibly tender while soaking up all that bold Cajun flavor without feeling heavy
  • The homemade cheese sauce takes literally five minutes but makes everything feel like a treat from a comfort food restaurant
  • Everything comes together in under 40 minutes, including prep time, for those busy weeknights when you still want something special
02 -
  • The chicken mixture will keep cooking in its own heat, so remove it from the stove while it still looks slightly looser than you want
  • Warm your milk before adding it to the roux, and you will never get those frustrating lumps in your cheese sauce again
  • Toast your buns even if you think it is an extra step, because the cheese sauce will make untoasted bread soggy within minutes
03 -
  • Let the cheese sauce cool slightly before serving so it thickens up and does not run right off your sandwich
  • Reserve some of the green onions to sprinkle on top at the end for a fresh bite that cuts through the richness

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