Some nights call for fast, hands-off cooking—the kind of dinner that fills the kitchen with rich aroma before you even set the table. That’s when these Easy Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes come in. They’re zesty, savory, and done in less than 30 minutes.
When my kids were little, I’d whip these up on weeknights when we all tumbled in late from soccer practice or errands. I’d brown the ground chicken, stir in a splash of Cajun spice, and pile the saucy goodness onto toasted buns. Dinner was done before the table was cleared from homework!
This recipe fits right into your list of fast dinner recipes—it’s hearty, full of protein, and feels a little special thanks to that Cajun kick.
Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or meal-prepping lunches, this chicken sloppy joe recipe will become a go-to favorite.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love Easy Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes
- Quick and easy: Ready in just 25 minutes—ideal for busy weeknights.
- Full of flavor: Cajun spices bring smoky heat without overpowering.
- Healthier twist: Ground chicken makes it lighter than traditional beef sloppy joes.
- Family-friendly: Mild enough for kids, bold enough for adults.
- Budget-friendly: Uses pantry staples and affordable ingredients.
- Versatile: Great on buns, over rice, or spooned into lettuce wraps.
If you love DIY food recipes that make dinner feel fun and flexible, these chicken sloppy joes will hit the spot.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 small green bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for extra spice)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon mustard
- 4 sandwich buns, toasted
- Optional toppings: shredded cheese, sliced pickles, or coleslaw
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cook the vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper; sauté for 3–4 minutes until soft.
- Add the ground chicken: Crumble chicken into the pan and cook until no longer pink, about 5–7 minutes.
- Add the flavor: Stir in garlic, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Build the sauce: Add tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire, mustard, and brown sugar. Stir well.
- Simmer: Lower heat and let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened.
- Assemble: Spoon the mixture onto toasted buns. Add cheese or coleslaw if you’d like.
Dinner is served! Juicy, flavorful, and messy in the best way—exactly what Sloppy Joes recipes are meant to be.
How to Serve Easy Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes
These Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes are meant to be fun. I like serving them open-faced on toasted brioche buns with a sprinkle of shredded cheddar. The sweet and smoky sauce pairs beautifully with the soft bread and crisp toppings.
For a weeknight meal, pair them with oven-baked fries or a quick green salad. If you’re feeding a crowd, set up a DIY bar: buns, pickles, cheese, and your sloppy joe filling in a slow cooker on warm. It’s perfect for parties, game days, or casual weekends.
If you love fast, handheld meals, don’t miss our Ground Beef Philly Cheesesteaks—another easy weeknight favorite that’s ready in under 30 minutes.
For a family-style meal, serve these chicken sloppy joes with a side of creamy mac like our Garlic Parmesan Crockpot Chicken and Potatoes for something hearty.
How to Store Easy Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes
These sloppy joes store like a dream—and honestly, they taste even better the next day once the flavors settle.
- Refrigerate: Store leftover filling in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Cool completely, then store in freezer bags for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Warm gently on the stove with a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce.
It’s perfect for ground chicken recipes you can meal prep on Sunday and enjoy through the week.
Discover great weeknight ideas like Chinese Beef and Broccoli for another fast and flavorful family dinner.
Tips to Make Easy Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes
A few simple tweaks can make this recipe shine every time:
- Adjust the spice: Use mild Cajun seasoning if cooking for kids or double it for heat lovers.
- Add veggies: Diced zucchini, carrots, or corn make great mix-ins.
- Swap proteins: Try turkey or ground beef instead of chicken.
- Make it cheesy: Melt shredded cheese on top of the filling before serving.
- Healthier twist: Serve over rice or stuffed in bell peppers instead of on buns.
- Toast those buns: It keeps the bread from getting soggy and adds crunch.
This recipe is also great for quick lunches—simply spoon the warm filling into wraps or over baked potatoes.
Variations of Easy Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes
Sloppy Joes are endlessly adaptable. Here are a few of my favorite twists:
- Buffalo-Style: Add 2 tablespoons buffalo sauce and top with blue cheese crumbles.
- Sweet Heat BBQ: Stir in BBQ sauce and honey for a Southern spin.
- Tex-Mex: Add black beans, corn, and shredded pepper jack.
- Cajun Turkey Version: Use ground turkey and a pinch of thyme for a lighter option.
- Creamy Ranch: Stir in 2 tablespoons ranch dressing for a creamy Cajun blend.
Each variation keeps that same fast, comforting spirit while letting you play with bold flavors.
FAQs
Q1: Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of ground chicken?
Yes! Shred the cooked chicken and simmer it with the sauce for 10 minutes instead of browning.
Q2: Can I make these ahead?
Absolutely. The filling reheats beautifully and even thickens a bit overnight.
Q3: Are these spicy?
They have a gentle Cajun kick, but you can easily tone it down by using mild seasoning or skipping the cayenne.
Q4: Can I double this recipe?
Yes — double all ingredients except the salt and spices, then adjust to taste.
Final Thoughts
Fast, flavorful, and endlessly customizable, these Easy Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes bring a little Louisiana flair to your everyday dinner routine.
They’re perfect for busy nights when you need something that tastes homemade but doesn’t keep you in the kitchen for hours. Serve them once, and I promise—these will make their way into your chicken dinner recipes rotation for good.
Follow me on Facebook and Pinterest where I share cozy, easy-to-make baking recipes just like this one.
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Easy Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Quick and flavorful Easy Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes made with ground chicken and smoky Cajun spices—ready in 25 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 sandwich buns, toasted
Instructions
1. Heat olive oil in skillet; sauté onion and bell pepper until soft.
2. Add ground chicken; cook until browned.
3. Stir in garlic and Cajun seasoning; cook 1 minute.
4. Add tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire, mustard, and brown sugar.
5. Simmer 10 minutes until thickened.
6. Spoon onto buns and serve.
Notes
Adjust spice to taste.
Serve with fries or salad for a complete dinner.
Filling freezes up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 740mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 65mg