A bold, spicy twist on the classic sloppy joe, made with lean ground chicken and Cajun seasonings, perfect for weeknight dinners.

1 lb ground chicken

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 onion, chopped

1 bell pepper, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for extra heat)

1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

2 teaspoons brown sugar

Salt and pepper to taste

4 hamburger buns

Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

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Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the ground chicken and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
Add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic. Cook for 3-4 minutes, until the vegetables soften.
Stir in the Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and pepper.
Add the tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and brown sugar. Stir everything together.
Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, until it thickens.
While the chicken mixture simmers, toast the hamburger buns in a separate skillet or under the broiler until lightly browned.
Spoon the Cajun chicken mixture onto the buns, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve hot.

To make it spicier, increase the cayenne pepper or add hot sauce.

You can substitute ground turkey for ground chicken without changing the flavor.

This dish can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.

For freezing, let the chicken mixture cool completely before storing it in a freezer-safe container.

Reheat the chicken mixture on the stove, adding water or chicken broth if necessary to loosen it up.