Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb (450 g) ground chicken
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar (optional)
- Salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- Pinch of salt
- 4–6 brioche hamburger buns
- Softened butter for toasting
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground chicken and cook while breaking it apart until no longer pink, about 5–7 minutes.
- Add the chopped onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Stir in the garlic and Cajun seasoning and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add tomato paste and mix until the chicken is well coated.
- Pour in the chicken broth, tomato sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir well to combine.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 8–10 minutes until thick and spoonable. Add optional brown sugar if desired and season with salt.
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux.
- Slowly whisk in milk and cook for 4–5 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in cheddar cheese and paprika until smooth and creamy. Season with a pinch of salt.
- Butter the cut sides of the brioche buns and toast them in a skillet or under a broiler until golden.
- Spoon the Cajun chicken filling onto the bottom bun.
- Drizzle the warm cheese sauce over the chicken and finish with freshly ground black pepper.
- Place the top bun on the sandwich and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use freshly shredded cheese for the smoothest cheese sauce.
- Simmer the chicken mixture uncovered to thicken the sloppy joe filling.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning to control the spice level.
- Ground turkey can replace ground chicken for a similar texture.
- Toasted brioche buns add sweetness and structure for the saucy filling.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 740
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 920 mg
- Fat: 39 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 46 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 44 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg
