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BBQ Chicken Sliders
BBQ Chicken Sliders are packed with tangy BBQ flavor, juicy chicken, and melty cheese, perfect for any occasion. These easy sliders are ready in minutes and always a crowd-pleaser!
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These BBQ Chicken Sliders are bursting with smoky flavor, juicy chicken, and melty cheese, making them a perfect party hit! With tangy BBQ sauce and soft slider buns, every bite melts in your mouth. Whether you're hosting a game day or family dinner, these sliders satisfy any craving. Plus, they only take minutes to prepare, making them an easy go-to recipe!
This recipe is simple to make, and you can follow the easy guide below. We include step-by-step photos, pro tips, and tricks to make cooking a breeze. Plus, we answer the most frequently asked recipe questions to help you perfect this dish!
More Recipes ⭐ Stuffed Chicken Breast | Ham and Cheese Sliders | Chicken Flautas
These BBQ Chicken Sliders are perfect for a quick and delicious meal, ready in just thirty minutes. Loaded with tender chicken and tangy BBQ sauce, they’re ideal for parties, potlucks, or a fun family dinner. The sliders are easy to prepare, yet they taste like you spent hours in the kitchen. With melty cheese and soft buns, everyone will want seconds, making them the ultimate crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients
What you'll need to make this BBQ Chicken Sliders recipe:
- 2 pounds of boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded (this will yield approximately 3-3½ cups)
- 1¼ cups of bottled barbecue sauce
- 15-ounce (12-count) package of slider-sized buns
- ⅓ cup of very thinly sliced red onions
Optional Toppings For Hot Sliders:
- 6 sandwich slices of mild cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon of finely chopped fresh parsley, optional garnish
Substitutions and Additions
Personalize your pulled chicken sliders recipe by swapping out ingredients and adding tasty extras! These simple changes make your sliders uniquely yours. Here are some top substitutions and additions:
Add Toppings: Add coleslaw or pickles for extra crunch and a tangy kick to your BBQ Chicken Sliders. These easy substitutions and additions can easily be swapped out while still maintaining the deliciousness of these chicken sliders on Hawaiian rolls.
Substitute Chicken: Use shredded pork or beef for a new twist on these BBQ Chicken Sliders.
Change Cheese: Swap cheddar with mozzarella or pepper jack for a different flavor in your sliders.
How to Make BBQ Chicken Sliders
Follow along with our step-by-step pictures and instructions to create perfect BBQ Chicken Sliders. Don’t forget to check out the helpful tips and tricks listed below. Let’s get started and make these delicious sliders!
Pro Tip
There are a number of ways to cook your boneless skinless chicken breast. I cooked mine in an Instant Pot with one cup of chicken stock, according to the manual instructions (eight minutes on pressure-cook) for my brand Instant Pot, then shred it with two forks. You can bake or boil your chicken as well.
FIRST STEP: Add the cooked and shredded chicken and the barbecue sauce to a large bowl. Stir to coat the chicken with the sauce evenly.
Be sure not to break up your chicken too much. You still want some larger, bite-sized pieces to remain.
SECOND STEP: Place the bottom half of the slider buns (reserving the tops) into the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish.
Pro Tip
Depending on the brand of slider rolls, you may need to use a sharp, serrated knife to slice them in half to remove the tops. Some brands come pre-sliced either fully or partially.
THIRD STEP: Spread the shredded BBQ chicken in an even layer over the bottom buns in the baking dish.
FOURTH STEP: Sprinkle the thinly sliced red onions evenly over the BBQ chicken mixture.
Pro Tip
If your red onion is on the larger side, you may want to cut your larger rings into halves or quarters. You want to be able to evenly distribute the very thinly sliced red onion over the BBQ chicken.
For The Hot Sliders
FIRST STEP: Preheat oven to 350°F. Place the slices of mild cheddar cheese over the entire surface of the onions and BBQ chicken.
SECOND STEP: Place the top buns onto all the BBQ chicken sliders and brush the tops with the melted butter. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, and the buns are lightly toasted.
THIRD STEP: Remove from the oven and sprinkle the tops of the rolls with the finely chopped parsley, if desired, before slicing the sliders into single servings.
To Make Cold Sliders
FIRST STEP: In a separate mixing bowl, stir together the shredded coleslaw blend with the coleslaw dressing until the shredded vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing.
SECOND STEP: To assemble the BBQ chicken sliders, add a scoop of the creamy coleslaw mixture to the BBQ chicken, next top with a few slices of thinly sliced red onions, followed by adding two dill pickle slices onto the top of the onion slices.
Lastly, top the assembled sliders with the top portion of the slider buns and serve. Note that you can assemble the cold sliders as separate sandwiches on a large platter instead of in the 9×13 pan.
How to Serve BBQ Chicken Sliders
Chicken Sliders are super versatile and perfect for any occasion. Whether for a casual family meal or a special celebration, these sliders will be a hit!
- Game Day Party: These sliders are ideal for game day gatherings. They’re quick, easy, and pair perfectly with buffalo wings or tater tot nachos for a fun spread.
- Family Dinner: Kids and adults alike love BBQ Chicken Sliders, making them great for family dinners. Serve with loaded fries or mac and cheese for a complete meal.
- Summer Cookouts: These sliders work wonderfully at summer cookouts. Pair them with a fresh tuna salad or grilled veggies for a light, flavorful meal.
Why You'll Love This BBQ Chicken Slider Recipe
BBQ Chicken Sliders are a beloved favorite with our readers for so many delicious reasons:
- Flavor Explosion: Each slider bursts with smoky BBQ flavor, juicy chicken, and melty cheese in every bite. The combination of savory and tangy makes them irresistible!
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it's a backyard BBQ, family dinner, or a casual lunch, these sliders fit every gathering and celebration.
- Quick and Easy: With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time, you’ll have a crowd-pleasing dish ready in minutes.
BBQ Chicken Sliders are the go-to recipe for anyone looking to serve up something both delicious and easy!
Recipe FAQ
How do I keep the chicken juicy in BBQ Chicken Sliders?
Cook the chicken until it's just done, shred it finely, and mix it with BBQ sauce right away.
What type of BBQ sauce works best for BBQ Chicken Sliders?
A tangy, slightly sweet BBQ sauce adds great flavor. Feel free to use your favorite store-bought or homemade version.
Can I prepare BBQ Chicken Sliders ahead of time?
Yes, you can cook the chicken and prepare the sliders up to a day in advance. Reheat and assemble just before serving.
What type of buns should I use for BBQ Chicken Sliders?
Soft slider buns work best, as they soak up the BBQ sauce and hold the chicken well without falling apart.
Serving FAQ
How many BBQ Chicken Sliders should I serve per person?
Plan for two to three sliders per person, depending on the size of the buns and other dishes served.
Can I serve BBQ Chicken Sliders as an appetizer?
Yes, work perfectly as appetizers at parties or gatherings, offering a bite-sized, flavorful option.
What’s the best way to serve BBQ Chicken Sliders at a large gathering?
Assemble the sliders on a large tray for easy serving, and let guests grab them as they mingle.
Should I serve BBQ Chicken Sliders warm or at room temperature?
BBQ Chicken Sliders are best served warm for the perfect melty cheese and juicy chicken combination.
Storage FAQ
For optimal storage of your Sliders, follow the directions, tips, and tricks below. From making them ahead to reheating, we’ve got you covered to keep them fresh and delicious!
Can I prepare BBQ Chicken Sliders ahead of time?
Yes, cook the chicken and prepare the buns separately. Store them in airtight containers in the fridge for up to a day.
What’s the best way to store leftover BBQ Chicken Sliders?
Store any leftover sliders in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh for up to two days.
Can I freeze BBQ Chicken Sliders?
You can freeze the cooked chicken in an airtight container for up to one month. Assemble the sliders after thawing.
How should I reheat Chicken Sliders when ready to serve?
Reheat the chicken in a skillet or microwave, then assemble on buns for serving.
BBQ Chicken Sliders
BBQ Chicken Sliders are packed with tangy BBQ flavor, juicy chicken, and melty cheese, perfect for any occasion. These easy sliders are ready in minutes and always a crowd-pleaser!
Did you try this recipe?Let our readers know how it turned out by Leaving a Review!
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast (cooked and shredded (this will yield approximately 3 to 3½ cups))
- 1 ¼ cups bottled barbecue sauce
- 15 ounces slider sized buns (12 buns)
- ⅓ cup red onions (very thinly sliced)
Optional Toppings for Hot Sliders
- 6 sandwich slices mild cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh parsley (optional garnish)
Optional Toppings for Cold Sliders
- 2 cups shredded coleslaw blend (cabbage, carrots, and red cabbage)
- ½ cup coleslaw dressing
- 24 dill pickle sandwich slices (patted dry)
DIRECTIONS
- In a mixing bowl, add the cooked and shredded chicken along with the barbecue sauce. Stir to evenly coat the chicken with the sauce. Be sure not to break up your chicken too much. You still want some larger, bite-sized pieces to remain.
- Place the bottom half of the 12 slider buns (reserving the tops) into the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish.
- Spread the barbecue sauce-coated chicken in an even layer over the bottom slider buns in the baking dish.
- Sprinkle the thinly sliced red onions evenly over the chicken.
Hot Sliders
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Place the slices of mild cheddar cheese over the entire surface of the onions and BBQ chicken.
- Place the tops onto all the BBQ chicken sliders and brush the tops with the melted butter. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the buns are lightly toasted.
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle the tops with the finely chopped parsley, if desired, before slicing the sliders into single servings.
Cold Sliders
- In a separate mixing bowl, stir together the shredded coleslaw blend with the coleslaw dressing until the shredded vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing.
- To assemble the BBQ chicken sliders add a scoop of the coleslaw mixture to the bbq chicken, next top with a few slices of the thinly sliced red onions, followed by adding two dill pickle slices onto the top of the onion slices. Lastly, top the assembled sliders with the top portion of the slider buns and serve.
Notes
- There are a number of ways to cook your boneless skinless chicken breast. I cooked mine in an Instant Pot with one cup of chicken stock, according to the manual instructions (eight minutes on pressure cook) for my brand Instant Pot, then shred it with two forks. You can bake or boil your chicken as well.
- Depending on the brand of slider rolls, you may need to use a sharp, serrated knife to slice them in half to remove the tops. Some brands come pre-sliced either fully or partially.
- If your red onion is on the larger side, you may want to cut your larger rings into halves or quarters. You want to be able to evenly distribute the very thinly sliced red onion over the BBQ chicken.
Nutrition
Calories: 293kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 58mg | Sodium: 602mg | Potassium: 395mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 197IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 57mg | Iron: 1mg
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