Grilled Cajun chicken sandwiches are a delicious, quick, and easy dinner that's ready in 30 minutes. It is made with grilled chicken breasts, spiced with homemade Cajun seasoning, and stuffed inside a soft, toasted bun with cheese, mayonnaise, lettuce, onion, and tomatoes. Are you bored with the same burger? This sandwich is a must-try.
These Cajun chicken sandwiches always turn out flavourful and filling. Love sandwich recipes. Try my Chicken Mayo sandwich, Chicken Club Sandwich, and Chicken Fajita Sandwich next.
I have made this grilled Cajun chicken sandwich many times, and my kids love it. This spicy Cajun chicken sandwich is my go-to meal because it is easy to make and tastes so delicious. It's our family favorite.
The chicken is grilled over high heat to get a nice blackened crust on the outside while staying soft and juicy inside. This perfectly grilled Cajun chicken is then layered inside soft, toasted buns with mayo, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and onions.
It is perfect for summer grilling, but you don't need a big BBQ setup. I use a simple grill pan to grill the chicken and toast the buns, so you can make them any time of the year. If you love spicy sandwiches, try my Chipotle chicken sandwich next.
Quick Look: Cajun Chicken Sandwich Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Calories: ~381 kcal per serving (based on nutrition panel)
- Key ingredients: Chicken breast, Cajun seasoning, onion, tomato, lettuce leaves, cheese, mayonnaise, and bun.
- Cook Method: Make Cajun seasoning → marinate chicken → grill on stovetop → melt cheese → toast buns → assemble sandwich → serve hot
- Flavor Profile: Spicy but adjustable.
- Difficulty: Easy, perfect for quick dinners, summer grilling, or weekend barbecues.
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Disclaimer: AI summaries may contain errors. Please check the original Grilled Cajun Chicken Sandwich recipe for accurate steps.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- It's easy to make with simple pantry spices.
- Ready in under 30 minutes. Works well for lunch, dinner, or parties.
- Homemade Cajun seasoning, no store-bought mix needed. It comes together quickly using simple pantry spices like paprika, cayenne, and herbs in just 5 minutes.
- It can be made on the grill or stovetop, just like my shredded chicken sandwich and a tandoori chicken sandwich.
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Ingredients Needed
Cajun Seasoning
Homemade or store-bought both work fine. I like to make my own Cajun seasoning so I can adjust the spice level. I use paprika, pepper, Italian seasoning, salt, cayenne, onion powder, and garlic powder to make it. Italian seasoning can be substituted with oregano and thyme.
I use this Cajun seasoning to make Cajun chicken and rice, spicy Cajun chicken bites, spicy Cajun shrimp, and Cajun chicken pasta.
For the chicken sandwich
See the recipe card at the end of the post for full ingredients, quantities, and a printable version.
- Chicken: I used boneless, skinless chicken breasts. You can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
- Olive oil: You can substitute it with any neutral-flavored oil, such as vegetable oil, canola oil, or sunflower oil.
- Lemon juice: This brightens the flavors. You can substitute it with vinegar.
- Sandwich bread/Hamburger buns: You can use any sandwich bun.
- Mayonnaise: I used vegetarian mayonnaise. Substitute it with egg mayo, garlic mayo, or any other flavored mayonnaise to make this cajun chicken sandwich.
- Tomato sauce: I used spicy tomato sauce here for a spicy kick and tangy flavor. If you prefer less spice, use regular tomato ketchup or skip it completely.
- Fresh lettuce leaves & tomatoes: Used for sandwich toppings.
- Butter (for toasting the buns): You can substitute it with olive oil or use mayonnaise for toasting the buns.
- Cheese slices: I used processed cheese slices. I often use these slices in my grilled cheese sandwiches. You can use any soft cheese or slices of Pepperjack or Monterey Jack cheese, or skip it.
Variations
- Make it dairy-free - Skip cheese.
- Make it healthy - Replace Mayo with avocado. Mash the avocado, and season with salt & pepper.
- Add some crispy fried bacon to it.
- Add any vegetables of your choice.
How to make Grilled Cajun Chicken Sandwiches
1) Prepare the seasoning: In a small mixing bowl, combine the paprika, ground black pepper, Italian seasoning, salt, cayenne pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Set aside.
2) For the mayo spread: Combine the mayonnaise and tomato sauce in a small bowl. Refrigerate.
Grilled Cajun Chicken
3) Pound the chicken breasts with a rolling pin to even thickness, or slice them in half. Set aside.
4) Marinate the chicken: In another mixing bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning, oil, and lemon juice, then marinate the chicken breasts, cover, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
5) Grill the chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a grill pan over medium-high heat, add the chicken, and cook 3-4 minutes per side until charred and cooked through (165°F). Add a slice of cheese on each chicken breast in the last minute of cooking, then remove to a plate.
9) Toast the buns: Lightly butter the cut sides of the buns. Heat a pan over medium heat. Toast the buns for about a minute, or until they are crisp and golden brown. Remove from heat. Toasting the bun adds texture and prevents it from getting soggy.
10) Assemble the Cajun chicken sandwich: Spread the mayo mixture on the bottom bun. Top with lettuce, the grilled Cajun chicken with cheese, and onion slices.
(Tip: lightly sprinkle salt and pepper over the onion slices to add flavor.)
11) Next, add tomato slices. Spread the mayo mixture on the top bun and place it on top of the sandwich. The grilled Cajun chicken sandwich is ready to serve. Serve with your favorite salad or French fries.
Tips To Make The Best Cajun Chicken Sandwiches
- For even cooking, pound the chicken breast or slice it in half.
- Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes, ideally 2 hours or overnight, to keep it tender, juicy, and full of flavour.
- Preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat and grill the chicken until a blackened Cajun-spiced crust forms and the inside stays juicy.
- Cook until done. The chicken should be white inside with no pink, or reach 165°F on a meat thermometer.
- Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
- You can grill, bake, pan-fry, or air-fry the chicken. Grilling adds a nice smoky flavour, while pan-frying or air-frying gives a crispy crust.
Recipe FAQs
A salad like Greek yogurt coleslaw, Creamy macaroni salad, Creamy corn salad, or grilled corn salad
Salsa: corn salsa or mango salsa
Mediterranean roasted vegetables
Mediterranean roasted potatoes
Chips
A brioche bun is the best choice because it’s soft, slightly sweet, and complements the spicy chicken. Other good options include sesame seed buns or ciabatta for a sturdier sandwich.
Here are a few topping suggestions:
Classic: Lettuce, tomato, pickles, and mayo.
Spicy: Jalapeños, hot sauce, or chipotle mayo.
Creamy: Coleslaw or avocado slices.
Cheesy: Pepper jack or cheddar cheese.
You can grill, bake, or air-fry the chicken for a healthier option:
1) Grilled: Cook over medium heat for 4-5 minutes per side until done.
2) Baked: Place on a baking sheet and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway.
3) Air-Fried: Cook at 375°F (190°C) for 12-15 minutes, flipping once.
Cajun is moderately spicy. However, if you are making Cajun seasoning at home, you can always adjust the spiciness by reducing the quantity of cayenne in it.
Yes, you can, but the cooking time will be longer. Cook to an internal temperature of 170˚-175˚F (6 to 8 minutes per side)
Recipe Card
Grilled Cajun Chicken Sandwiches
Video
Equipment
- 1 Mixing bowl
- 1 Grill pan
Ingredients
Cajun chicken marinade
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (130 gram, each)
- 2 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (recipe is given below)
- 2 tablespoon oil
- 2 tablespoon lime juice
For Cajun seasoning
- 2 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
- 1.5 tablespoon Italian seasoning (or use 1 tablespoon dried oregano and 1 tablespoon dried thyme)
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 2 tablespoon garlic powder
For Mayo spread
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoon tomato sauce (optional) substitute tomato ketchup
Other ingredients
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 8 tomato slices
- 4 lettuce leaves
- 8 onion slices
- salt & pepper to taste
- 4 cheese slices (optional) optional
Instructions
- Prepare Cajun seasoning: Combine paprika, black pepper, Italian seasoning, salt, cayenne, onion powder, and garlic powder in a small bowl.
- Mayo spread: Combine the mayonnaise and tomato sauce in a small bowl. Refrigerate.
- Marinate the chicken: Pound chicken breasts to even thickness or slice in half. In another bowl, combine 2 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, oil, and lemon juice. Marinate chicken for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight. Bring to room temperature before cooking.
- Cook the chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill chicken 3–4 minutes per side until charred and cooked through (165°F). Add a slice of cheese during the last minute and remove to a plate.
- Toast the buns: Lightly butter the cut sides and toast in a pan over medium heat until golden brown.
- Assemble the Cajun chicken sandwich: Spread mayo on the bottom bun, add lettuce, grilled chicken with cheese, onions (sprinkle with salt and pepper if desired), and tomato slices. Spread the remaining mayo on the top bun and place it on top. Serve with salad or fries.
Notes
- Pound or slice the chicken breast for even cooking.
- Marinate for 30 minutes to overnight to keep it tender, juicy, and flavorful.
- Preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat and cook the chicken until charred and cooked through (165°F).
- Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
- Adjust cayenne pepper to reduce spiciness if needed.
- Grill, bake, pan-fry, or air-fry. Grilling adds smoky flavor; pan-frying or air-frying gives a crispy crust.
- For best results, make your own Cajun seasoning to control heat and flavor.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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