Ingredients
1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small cubes
2 tbsp olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
1 medium green bell pepper, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
2 tbsp tomato paste
1/2 cup chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp brown sugar
6–8 hamburger buns, toasted if desired
Fresh cilantro or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
1. 1. Pat chicken dry and cut into 1/2-inch cubes.
2. 2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion and bell pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes until softened.
3. 3. Stir in minced garlic and Cajun seasoning. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
4. 4. Add cubed chicken to the skillet. Cook, stirring frequently, until browned on all sides and mostly cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
5. 5. Pour in diced tomatoes (with juices), tomato paste, chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar. Stir well, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
6. 6. Bring mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and let cook for 10-15 minutes, until sauce thickens and flavors meld. If too thick, add a splash of broth; if too thin, simmer uncovered for a few minutes.
7. 7. Taste and adjust seasonings (salt, pepper, more Cajun seasoning).
8. 8. Optional: Toast buns on a skillet or under the broiler for 1-2 minutes.
9. 9. Spoon generous amounts of the chicken mixture onto buns. Garnish with cilantro or parsley if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
Pro Tips: Sauté vegetables thoroughly for best flavor. Toast spices briefly to release oils. Cut chicken into even pieces for consistent cooking. Adjust spice level to taste. Simmer for full flavor development. Toasting buns prevents sogginess. Storage: Refrigerate sloppy joe mixture in airtight container for up to 3-4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in fridge. Reheat on stovetop or microwave. Always toast fresh buns for leftovers.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American (Cajun-inspired)
- Diet: Dairy-Free, Nut-Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich (with bun)
- Calories: 385
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
