The Best Chicken Sliders Recipe You’ll Ever Make
If you’re searching for a delicious, crowd-pleasing meal that’s easy to prepare, look no further than this chicken sliders recipe. These little sandwiches are everything you love about comfort food: juicy chicken, flavorful seasonings, melty cheese, and soft buns baked to golden perfection.
What makes chicken sliders so special is their versatility. You can serve them at game day parties, family dinners, potlucks, or even as a quick weeknight meal. They’re bite-sized, fun to eat, and endlessly customizable. Whether you prefer them spicy, cheesy, or tangy with barbecue sauce, this recipe will quickly become one of your favorites.
In this guide, I’ll walk you step by step through how to make chicken sliders from scratch, share helpful tips and tricks, suggest ingredient swaps, and explain how to store leftovers so they taste just as amazing the next day.
Table of Contents
Why This Chicken Sliders Recipe Is a Must-Try
There are dozens of slider recipes out there, but this one stands out for a few reasons:
- Easy to make: With just a few simple steps, you’ll have a tray of sliders ready to go in under an hour.
- Great for gatherings: These sliders are made in batches, so you can feed a hungry crowd with minimal effort.
- Flavor-packed: Every bite is layered with seasoned chicken, gooey cheese, and buttery slider buns.
- Customizable: You can switch up the flavors with sauces, cheeses, or toppings depending on your mood.
If you’ve been looking for a go-to chicken sliders recipe, this is it.
Ingredients for Chicken Sliders Recipe
Here’s everything you’ll need to bring this dish together. I’ll include measurement details for a standard 12-slider batch, but you can easily double or triple the recipe if feeding a larger group.
For the chicken:
- 3 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded (about 2 large chicken breasts)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for a lighter option)
- 1/4 cup barbecue sauce (or buffalo sauce, depending on flavor preference)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the sliders:
- 12 Hawaiian rolls or slider buns
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (optional, for topping)
Optional garnishes and add-ins:
- Sliced pickles
- Jalapeño slices for heat
- Caramelized onions
- Extra barbecue sauce or ranch dressing for drizzling
Step-by-Step Instructions for Chicken Sliders Recipe
Follow these simple steps and you’ll have golden, cheesy chicken sliders on the table in no time.
Step 1: Prepare the chicken filling
- Start with pre-cooked chicken. You can bake, poach, or use rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- Shred the chicken using two forks or a stand mixer with the paddle attachment.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded chicken, mozzarella, cheddar, mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir until everything is evenly coated and well combined.
Step 2: Prep the rolls
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Without separating the rolls, slice the Hawaiian roll slab in half horizontally, creating a top and bottom layer.
- Place the bottom half of the rolls into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
Step 3: Assemble the sliders
- Spread the chicken mixture evenly over the bottom layer of rolls.
- If desired, add extra cheese on top for extra gooey goodness.
- Place the top half of the rolls back over the chicken mixture.
Step 4: Make the butter topping
- In a small bowl, mix melted butter with garlic powder and parsley.
- Brush this mixture generously over the tops of the rolls.
- Sprinkle sesame seeds on top if you’d like an added crunch.
Step 5: Bake the sliders
- Cover the baking dish loosely with foil and bake for 15 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the tops are golden brown.
Step 6: Slice and serve
- Let the sliders cool slightly before slicing them into individual portions.
- Serve warm with extra dipping sauces like ranch, barbecue, or buffalo.
Tips and Tricks for the Best Chicken Sliders Recipe
Cooking is all about flexibility, and sliders are one of the easiest recipes to adjust to your liking. Here are some expert tips to make your chicken sliders recipe even better:
- Use rotisserie chicken: If you’re short on time, grab a store-bought rotisserie chicken. It’s juicy, flavorful, and saves you from cooking chicken from scratch.
- Switch up the cheese: While mozzarella and cheddar are classics, try pepper jack for a spicy kick or provolone for a milder taste.
- Don’t skip the butter topping: That buttery garlic mixture gives the rolls their signature golden, flavorful finish.
- Keep the sliders moist: Adding mayonnaise or Greek yogurt to the filling ensures the chicken doesn’t dry out during baking.
- Double the batch: These sliders disappear fast! Consider making two pans if you’re hosting a party.
Variations of Chicken Sliders Recipe
One of the best parts about this chicken sliders recipe is how customizable it is. With just a few tweaks, you can transform the base recipe into something completely new. Here are some tasty variations to try:
BBQ Chicken Sliders
Stick with barbecue sauce in the filling for a smoky flavor. Add caramelized onions on top of the chicken mixture before baking, and finish with a little extra barbecue sauce for dipping. These are perfect for backyard parties or game day spreads.
Buffalo Chicken Sliders
Swap the barbecue sauce for buffalo sauce to create a tangy, spicy bite. Top with crumbled blue cheese and drizzle ranch dressing over the chicken before placing the top buns on. This variation is always a hit with spice lovers.
Chicken Parmesan Sliders
Go Italian by replacing the mayonnaise and barbecue sauce with marinara sauce. Use mozzarella and Parmesan cheese for the filling, then sprinkle Italian seasoning on the buttered buns before baking. Serve with extra marinara on the side for dipping.
Hawaiian Chicken Sliders
For a sweet and savory twist, fold small pineapple chunks into the chicken mixture. Pair with provolone cheese or mozzarella, and the juicy sweetness of the pineapple will balance the savory chicken beautifully.
Spicy Jalapeño Chicken Sliders
Add diced jalapeños into the filling or layer sliced fresh jalapeños under the cheese before baking. Pepper jack cheese also works great here if you want a bit more heat. Serve with a side of chipotle mayo for an extra kick.
Ingredient Substitutions
If you don’t have all the ingredients on hand, don’t worry. Here are some easy substitutions that work well in this chicken sliders recipe:
- Chicken breast → Rotisserie chicken or canned chicken
- Mayonnaise → Greek yogurt or sour cream
- Hawaiian rolls → Brioche buns, dinner rolls, or ciabatta rolls
- Mozzarella/cheddar → Any melting cheese (provolone, Swiss, Monterey Jack)
- Barbecue sauce → Ranch, buffalo, teriyaki, or honey mustard
Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions
One of the reasons this chicken sliders recipe is so popular is because it can be made ahead and stored easily.
Storing leftovers
- Refrigerator: Store leftover sliders in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Wrap the sliders individually in foil, then place them in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheating
- Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes until warmed through.
- Microwave: Heat individual sliders for 30–60 seconds, though the buns may become softer.
Make-ahead option
You can assemble the sliders up to 24 hours in advance. Store the unbaked dish in the refrigerator, covered with foil. When ready to serve, simply bake as directed, adding an extra 5 minutes if needed.
Prep Time, Cook Time, and Servings
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 25 minutes
- Total time: 40 minutes
- Servings: 12 sliders (about 4–6 servings depending on appetite)
Conclusion
This chicken sliders recipe is more than just a quick meal — it’s a reliable dish you can turn to whenever you need something delicious, satisfying, and easy to prepare. With juicy chicken, melty cheese, and buttery rolls baked to perfection, these sliders deliver maximum flavor in every bite.
The best part is how versatile they are. You can enjoy them as a weeknight dinner, pack them for lunch, or serve them at a big gathering like a potluck or game day party. By switching up the sauces, cheeses, or toppings, this chicken sliders recipe can take on countless variations, from barbecue to buffalo to chicken parmesan style. That means you’ll never get bored, and you can always adapt it to fit your mood or the ingredients you already have at home.
Don’t forget that these sliders are also great for meal prep and leftovers. They store well in the fridge, reheat beautifully in the oven, and can even be frozen for future meals. That makes this chicken sliders recipe not only delicious but also practical and budget-friendly.
If you’ve been searching for a dish that’s easy, versatile, and always a hit with family and friends, this is the one to try. Make a batch today, and you’ll quickly see why it’s bound to become one of your go-to recipes.
