Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes Cheese Sauce (Printable)
Spicy Cajun chicken on toasted buns topped with rich cheddar sauce for an easy, satisfying meal.
# 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
→ Serving
20 - 4 brioche or hamburger buns, split and toasted
21 - Sliced green onions or chopped parsley for garnish
# How-To 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 spatula, and cook until no longer pink.
02 - Sprinkle in Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine. Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix thoroughly and simmer uncovered for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
03 - 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 for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and stir in cheddar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until cheese melts and sauce is smooth.
04 - Spoon 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.
# Helpful Tips:
01 -
- The spicy chicken and cool creamy sauce create the perfect balance in every single bite
- Everything comes together in under 40 minutes but tastes like it took all afternoon
- These are guaranteed to disappear faster than traditional sloppy joes at any gathering
02 -
- The cheese sauce will thicken as it cools, so serve it immediately while it's pourable and silky
- Don't rush the simmering step or your chicken mixture won't develop that rich, concentrated flavor
03 -
- Grate your own cheese from a block instead of buying pre-shredded, it melts so much better
- Taste and adjust the seasoning before serving, as Cajun seasoning blends vary in salt content