Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes with Creamy Cheese Sauce Recipe

Introduction

Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes with Creamy Cheese Sauce offer a spicy twist on a classic favorite. The tender ground chicken is simmered in bold Cajun spices and topped with a rich, silky cheese sauce, all nestled inside buttery toasted brioche buns. This comforting sandwich is perfect for a casual weeknight dinner.

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
• Salt (pinch)
• 4–6 brioche hamburger buns, split and toasted
• Softened butter (for toasting buns, 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, crumbling, 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; cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in tomato paste until the mixture becomes glossy and brick-red in color.
3. Step 3: Pour in chicken broth, tomato sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir well, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 8–10 minutes until thick and spoonable. Season with salt to taste. Add brown sugar if you prefer a touch of sweetness. If the mixture thickens too much, add 1–2 tablespoons of broth to loosen it.
4. Step 4: Meanwhile, prepare the cheese sauce. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute to form a pale roux.
5. Step 5: Gradually whisk in milk and cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce lightly coats the back of a spoon. Reduce heat to low, then stir in shredded cheese and paprika until melted and smooth. Season with a pinch of salt. Avoid boiling once cheese is added.
6. 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.
7. Step 7: Assemble the sandwiches by spooning a generous amount of the Cajun chicken mixture onto each bottom bun. Ladle warm cheese sauce over the chicken, allowing it to cascade over the sides. Grind fresh black pepper on top, then cover with the toasted bun tops and serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

• For a milder version, reduce the Cajun seasoning by half or use a milder spice blend.
• Try swapping ground chicken for ground turkey or pork for a different flavor.
• Use pepper jack cheese in the sauce to add an extra kick of spice.
• Build the sandwiches on a parchment-lined tray to catch extra cheese sauce drips—perfect for dipping fries.

Storage

Store leftover Cajun chicken filling and cheese sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop, stirring frequently to maintain smoothness. Toast buns fresh before serving to keep them crisp.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, substitute the all-purpose flour in the cheese sauce with a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch. Make sure the Cajun seasoning and buns are also gluten-free.

Can I prepare this in advance?

Absolutely. Cook the chicken filling and cheese sauce ahead of time and store separately. Reheat gently before assembling the sandwiches just before serving to keep the buns fresh and crispy.

Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes with Creamy Cheese Sauce Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 81 reviews

This Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes recipe offers a flavorful twist on the classic sloppy joe by using ground chicken seasoned with bold Cajun spices. It features a rich, creamy cheese sauce that melds perfectly with the savory, spicy filling, all served on buttery toasted brioche buns for a satisfying and comforting meal.

• Author: Elias
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• 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
• salt (pinch)

Assembly

• 4–6 brioche hamburger buns, split and toasted
• softened butter (for toasting buns, as needed)
• freshly ground black pepper (to finish)

Instructions

1. Make the Cajun Chicken Filling: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground chicken and cook, crumbling it with a spatula, until no longer pink, about 5–7 minutes. Stir in the finely chopped onion and cook for an additional 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 takes on a glossy, brick-red color. Pour in the chicken broth, canned tomato sauce, and Worcestershire sauce, stirring to combine. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 8–10 minutes until the mixture thickens and becomes spoonable. Season with salt to taste; add brown sugar if you desire a subtle sweet heat. If the mixture becomes too thick, add 1–2 tablespoons of broth to loosen it.
2. Make the Creamy Cheese Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute to form a pale roux. Slowly whisk in the whole milk and continue cooking, whisking constantly, for 4–5 minutes until the sauce coats the back of a spoon lightly. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded sharp cheddar or American cheese and paprika until the cheese just melts and the sauce becomes silky smooth. Season with a pinch of salt. Avoid boiling the sauce 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 amount of the Cajun chicken filling onto the bottom halves of the toasted buns. Ladle the warm creamy cheese sauce over the chicken so that it cascades down the sides. Finish with a grind of freshly ground black pepper over the top. 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

• Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning to your preferred spice level.
• If the cheese sauce tightens too much when cooling, gently reheat with a splash of milk to loosen.
• Brioche buns can be substituted with any soft hamburger buns of your choice.
• For a lower-fat option, substitute whole milk with 2% milk and use reduced-fat cheese, although flavor and texture may be slightly affected.
• Brown sugar is optional but helps balance the heat with a touch of sweetness.
• Leftover filling can be refrigerated and used in wraps or on toast.

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