This cajun chicken sandwich (cajun chicken burger) is an easy and quick dinner for the whole family to enjoy. It uses simple ingredients like my air fryer cajun chicken thighs and your favorite burger toppings. Plus, it’s ready in about 30 minutes. Serve it with chicken sandwich sides like green beans, onion rings, potato wedges, coleslaw, or side salad for a complete meal.
Why Make Cajun Chicken Burgers
There are so many reasons to make this delicious sandwich. Here are my top few:
- Easy recipe with simple ingredients: My cajun chicken sandwich recipe is easy and uses simple ingredients to deliver pure awesomeness.
- Can pair it with a variety of toppings: If you’re making a meal for the whole family, you can pair this sandwich with various toppings to suit individual preferences.
- Lighter air fryer option: These air fryer cajun chicken burgers use unbreaded chicken which is lighter than the typical flour-breaded deep-fried one.
Ingredients Needed
Cajun Chicken
- Chicken thighs: Boneless skinless chicken thighs.
- Cajun seasoning: My homemade cajun seasoning has Old bay seasoning, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, black pepper, onion powder, natural ancient sea salt, smoked paprika, and dried parsley.
- Avocado oil
Burger Toppings
- Brioche Buns: Brioche buns have a soft bite
- Pepper Jack Cheese: Slices
- Butter Lettuce
- Tomato
- Pickles
- Red Onion
- Ketchup
- Crispy Bacon Slices
- Spicy Mayo: For a spicy cajun sandwich.
How to Make Cajun Chicken Sandwiches
Make the cajun chicken
- Place the chicken thighs in a single layer on the air fryer basket. Be sure to get as much of the oil and spices from the bowl as possible.
- Air fry at 400 for 18 – 20 minutes.
Toast the buns
- Melt about 1 tsp of butter in a skillet or griddle pan (you can also just spray a pan with a cooking spray) on medium-low heat. Open the brioche buns and toast them open face down on top of the butter for about a minute.
Assemble the sandwiches
- Add the toasted brioche buns to a plate and add about 1 spoonful of spicy mayo per bun half. Layer the chicken and other toppings.
Recipe Tips & FAQs
- Chicken meat options: This recipe uses air fryer cajun chicken thighs. But for leaner meat, you can use boneless skinless chicken breast halves or whole chicken breast that you can cut in half and even out with a rolling pin. However, the cooking time for lean meat will be less, about 12-15 minutes.
- For store-bought spices: If using cajun spices from the grocery store, treat them like salt, meaning you should start with ½ tsp per pound of meat.
- Brioche bun alternatives: I prefer a brioche bun because it has a softer bite, but you could also use Kaiser rolls, ciabatta bread, or regular burger buns. You can also use a low carb burger bun to cut calories and carbs.
- Pepper jack cheese alternatives: You can use other types of melty cheese like Monterey jack cheese, white American cheese, or cheddar cheese.
- Spicy sandwich option: Use spicy mayo for a spicy sandwich.
Storage and Leftovers
Similar to my buffalo chicken tacos and buffalo chicken wraps, you should store the components of this tasty sandwich in airtight containers separately for next time.
This will allow you to heat the meat without worrying about things like warm lettuce.
Typical cajun chicken is made of cajun seasoning, lime juice or lemon juice, and oil. My cajun chicken thighs recipe can also include homemade cajun garlic butter.
You can have cajun chicken with simple side dishes like cornbread, steamed vegetables, red beans & rice, and others.
A chicken sandwich is made of boneless chicken thighs or breasts and toppings stuffed between two bun halves.
Side Dish Recommendations
If you’re wondering what to serve with cajun chicken burgers to make a complete meal, you can view my list of the best chicken sandwich sides. It includes KFC copycat potato wedges, mashed potatoes with cheese, coleslaw, and other options.
More Easy Chicken Wraps & Sandwiches
Cajun Chicken Burgers
Ingredients
Cajun Chicken
- 1 lbs Chicken thighs boneless and skinless
- 1.5 tbsp cajun seasoning
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
Burger Toppings
- 6 Brioche Buns +1 tbsp of butter or cooking spray if you'd like to toast the buns
- 6 slices Pepper Jack Cheese optional
- 6 leaves Butter Lettuce
- 6 slices Tomato
- 6 slices Pickles
- 6 slices Red Onions
- Ketchup
- 6 slices Bacon crispy
- 6 tbsp Spicy Mayo optional, you can mix 1-2 tbsp sriracha or hot sauce with about ¼ cup of mayo
Instructions
Make the Cajun Chicken
- Add the chicken thighs to a large mixing bowl with the spices and oil. Be sure to unravel the chicken if needed.
- Toss to coat the chicken evenly.
- Place the chicken thighs in a single layer on the air fryer basket. Be sure to get as much of the oil and spices from the bowl as possible.
- Air fry 400 for 18-20 min.
- Optional for cheese: add cheese to the tops of the chicken and melt for 30 seconds to 1 minute at 400 degrees in the air fryer.
Toast the Buns
- Melt about 1 tbsp of butter in a skillet or griddle pan on medium-low heat.
- Open the brioche buns and toast them open face down on top of the butter for about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Assemble the Sandwiches
- Add the toasted brioche buns to a plate and add about 1 spoonful of spicy mayo per bun half.
- Layer the chicken and other toppings.