Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional for extra smokiness)
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 4 hamburger buns
- Butter, for toasting buns (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the aromatics: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and bell pepper, and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Brown the chicken: Add the ground chicken to the skillet. Cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until no longer pink—about 5-6 minutes.
- Add flavor: Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Then add tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika (if using), brown sugar, and season with salt and pepper.
- Simmer: Reduce heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened to your liking. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Toast the buns: If you’d like, spread butter on the inside of each bun and toast in a skillet until golden brown.
- Assemble: Spoon the Cajun chicken mixture generously onto each bun.
- Serve: Serve hot with your favorite sides like fries, coleslaw, or a crisp salad.
If you’d like, I can help you write a homemade Cajun seasoning recipe too — just let me know!