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Delicious Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes topped with creamy cheese sauce.

Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes with Creamy Cheese Sauce

This recipe combines juicy ground chicken with a smoky-spicy sauce, all topped with a silky cheddar cheese sauce, served on a toasted brioche bun.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Cajun
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb ground chicken
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp brown sugar
  • 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
  • 4–6 brioche hamburger buns, split and toasted
  • softened butter for toasting
  • freshly ground black pepper

Method
 

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add ground chicken; cook and crumble until no longer pink, about 5–7 minutes.
  2. Stir in onion; cook for 3–4 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and Cajun seasoning; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Mix in tomato paste until the meat is glossy and brick-red. Pour in broth, tomato sauce, and Worcestershire; stir.
  4. Simmer on low, uncovered for 8–10 minutes, until thick and spoonable. Season with salt to taste; add brown sugar if you want a touch of sweet heat.
  5. In a small saucepan over medium, melt butter. Whisk in flour; cook for 1 minute to form a pale roux.
  6. Slowly whisk in milk; cook for 4–5 minutes, whisking, until it lightly coats the back of a spoon. Reduce heat to low.
  7. Stir in shredded cheese and paprika until just melted and silky. Season with a pinch of salt. Do not boil after adding cheese.
  8. Butter the cut sides of brioche buns and toast in a hot pan or under the broiler for 1–2 minutes until golden.
  9. Spoon a generous mound of Cajun chicken onto each bottom bun. Ladle warm cheese sauce over the top so it cascades down the sides.
  10. Grind black pepper over the sauce, cap with the top bun, and serve immediately.

Notes

For milder heat, use 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning and add more to taste. Shred cheese fresh for the smoothest sauce—pre-shredded often contains anti-caking starches that can make sauces grainy.