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These Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes are spicy, saucy, and packed with bold Cajun flavor. A quick and easy weeknight dinner made with ground chicken, peppers, and a zesty homemade sauce!

A Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joe sandwich with a saucy ground meat filling sits on a white plate atop a wooden board, accompanied by a bowl of crinkle-cut fries and another sandwich in the background.
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Why You’ll Love Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes!

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These Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes are one of my favorite twists on a classic comfort food. They’ve got that familiar sloppy joe sauciness, but with Cajun spices, bell peppers, and a little kick that makes every bite crave-worthy.

It’s one of those recipes that tastes like you put in way more effort than you did but everything cooks in one skillet and dinner is on the table fast! My kids love sloppy joes and I love that the ingredients are simple and so tasty.

This is a delicious Main Dish Recipe that you serve any time of the week. If you love this recipe, they you must try Big Mac Sloppy Joes, Pepperoni Pizza Sloppy Joes and Easy Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joes.

Ingredients

Ingredients for Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes arranged on a white surface, featuring ground turkey, two burger buns, chopped onions, green bell pepper, tomato sauce, ketchup, garlic, seasonings, butter, and olive oil in small bowls.
  • Olive Oil – Use your favorite oil
  • Butter – We used unsalted butter
  • Veggies – Finely diced onion and green bell pepper
  • Ground Chicken – Ground Turkey or ground beef can be used instead of the ground chicken in this recipe.
  • Cajun Seasoning – Adjust the amount you add based on your preference
  • Minced Garlic Cloves – Learn How to Mince Garlic Cloves
  • Tomato Sauce – Gives the sloppy joes a tomato base
  • Brown Sugar – See The Best Brown Sugar Substitutes if you are out
  • Hot Sauce (optional) – If you’re sensitive to spice, omit the hot sauce.
  • Hamburger Buns – Use your favorite hamburger buns

Scroll to the recipe card for the full recipe details.

How to Make Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes

A white frying pan with a wooden handle contains a pat of butter and melted butter, ready for making Cajun chicken or other delicious Cajun recipes. The pan sits on a white marble surface next to a blue and white striped kitchen towel.

Step 1 – Melt the oil and butter in a large pan over medium low heat.

A white skillet with chopped green bell peppers and onions for Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes is being stirred with a wooden spatula, sitting on a white marble surface next to a blue and white striped kitchen towel.

Step 2 – Add the diced onions and bell pepper. Sauté for 7-8 minutes until softened over medium heat with a spatula.

A white skillet with raw ground turkey, chopped onions, and green peppers sits on a marble surface—perfect for making Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes. A wooden spoon rests in the pan, and a blue-and-white striped towel is nearby.

Step 3 – Add in the ground chicken, breaking it up as it cooks. Cook for about 5 minutes until it starts to brown slightly.

A white skillet filled with cooked ground meat, chopped green peppers, and spices for Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes is being stirred with a wooden spoon, next to a blue and white striped kitchen towel on a marble surface.

Step 4 – Sprinkle the chicken with the cajun seasoning. Cook for 3-5 more minutes until the chicken is cooked through.

A skillet filled with cooked Cajun Chicken and chopped vegetables sits on a white surface. A wooden spoon rests in the pan, hinting at flavorful Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes, while a blue-and-white striped cloth is nearby.

Step 5 – Add in the garlic and cook for 1 minute until you can start to smell the garlic.

A white skillet with cooked ground meat for Sloppy Joes, topped with tomato sauce and brown sugar, sits on a marble surface next to a blue and white striped kitchen towel. A wooden spoon rests in the skillet.

Step 6 – Stir in the tomato sauce, brown sugar, hot sauce and salt. Mix until combined.

Step 7 – Cook on low for 10-12 minutes. stirring frequently until the flavors are combined and sauce has thickened.

Step 8 – Serve over the hamburger buns topped with shredded lettuce and cheese and enjoy!

A skillet of Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes sits on a white surface next to crinkle-cut fries, a stack of hamburger buns, and a single assembled sandwich. A blue-striped towel lies nearby.
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A Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes sandwich filled with seasoned ground meat and zesty sauce sits on a white plate, with a bowl of crinkle-cut French fries in the background.

Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes

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These Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes are spicy, saucy, and packed with bold Cajun flavor. A quick and easy weeknight dinner made with ground chicken, peppers, and a zesty homemade sauce!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 4
Cuisine Cajun
Course Main Course
Calories 389
Author Carrie Barnard

Ingredients

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Instructions

  • Melt the oil and butter in a large skillet over medium low heat.
  • Add the diced onions and bell pepper. Sauté for 7-8 minutes until softened.
  • Add in the ground chicken, breaking it up as it cooks. Cook for about 5 minutes until it starts to brown slightly.
  • Season the chicken with the cajun seasoning. Cook for 3-5 more minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
  • Add in the garlic and cook for 1 minute until you can start to smell the garlic.
  • Stir in the tomato sauce, brown sugar, hot sauce and salt. Mix until combined.
  • Cook on low for 10-12 minutes. stirring frequently until the flavors are combined and sauce has thickened.
  • Serve over the hamburger buns and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

 
Recipe Tips
  • Adding Cajun Seasoning – I start with 1 Tablespoon of the Cajun seasoning and then taste test it once it’s done cooking and then you can add more based on the spiciness that you prefer. I ended up with about 1 ½ Tablespoon of the Cajun seasoning in my batch and it was perfect.
  • Chopping Veggies – It’s important that the onions and peppers are diced finely so that they blend well into the sloppy joes.
  • Thicken the Mixture – Simmer uncovered a few extra minutes.
  • Double the Recipe – This recipe scales well for crowds or meal prep.
Variations Ideas
  • Cheesy Cajun Sloppy Joes – Melt pepper jack cheese on top for a delicious variations.
  • Cajun Chicken & Corn – Add corn kernels for extra texture. Shredded Carrots are also a great addition.
  • Veggie-Packed – Add diced zucchini or mushrooms. This is a great way to sneak in veggies.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 389kcal, Carbohydrates 33g, Protein 26g, Fat 18g, Saturated Fat 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat 3g, Monounsaturated Fat 8g, Trans Fat 0.2g, Cholesterol 105mg, Sodium 893mg, Potassium 960mg, Fiber 3g, Sugar 10g, Vitamin A 1308IU, Vitamin C 32mg, Calcium 98mg, Iron 4mg

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Serving Recommendations

These are great served over hamburger buns or slider rolls. Serve with these side dish recipes for a complete meal idea.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Make Ahead of Time?

Yes, you can make the sloppy joe mixture ahead of time and store in the fridge. We actually think it taste better the next day.

How to Store Leftovers

Store the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.

Can I Freeze Sloppy Joe Mixture?

Yes! Freeze the meat mixture (without buns) for up to 2 months in a freezer safe container.

A Chicken Sloppy Joes sandwich filled with a flavorful, saucy ground chicken mixture sits on a white plate. In the background, there is a bowl of crinkle-cut French fries.

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie Barnard — a professional food blogger with over 14 years of experience helping busy families make dinner fast, easy, and affordable.

At Eating on a Dime, I share simple, budget-friendly recipes that are tested in my own kitchen and approved by my 8 kids. With millions of readers each month, I’m here to help you cook real food for real families — without the stress.

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