These BBQ chicken sliders are our favorite recipe to make for a game day bite. We usually double or triple the recipe because they are eaten in minutes. We keep it very simple by using rotisserie chicken covered in our favorite store-bought barbecue sauce. Topped with melty cheese, bacon, and red onion, it’s a sandwich that everyone will want the recipe for.
When we first made these at a party a few years ago, a friend asked if we had them delivered from a restaurant! That’s how delicious they are and secretly so easy to make. If you need some other ideas for hassle-free party food, our chicken quesadillas and Instant Pot pulled pork are two great options.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Foolproof recipe that anyone can make. We keep it simple with just 7 ingredients that are affordable at the store. It’s a great recipe for leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken so you can keep the prep time to about 10 minutes.
- A crowd-pleasing appetizer or main course in 30 minutes. This is a simple recipe that’s quick to assemble and bake. You can even have all of the components made in advance, then jusy layer and bake when guests arrive.
- Kids and adults love these sliders. You won’t have to worry about any picky eaters!
Tips for Busy Cooks
When we are making these for a crowd, we often times make two or three times the recipe! We prep all the ingredients the day before so that during the party we can just layer and bake for fresh and hot sliders.
Key Ingredient Notes
- Shredded chicken – We make a big batch of shredded chicken at the beginning of the week and use it in chicken noodle soup, chicken orzo soup, & these barbecue chicken sliders. It’s a quick and easy time-saver when life is hectic. If you don’t have shredded chicken, you can buy a rotisserie chicken and shred it yourself. Simply remove the meat from the bones and mix in a stand mixer for 30 seconds or so.
- BBQ sauce – Use your favorite brand! Everything from original to spicy barbecue sauce tastes delicious on these. You really can’t go wrong.
- Slider rolls – Slider rolls are smaller than regular buns. I recommend Hawaiian sweet rolls or another brioche-style slider bun. Brioche buns have butter and egg in them for a soft, pillowy texture.
- Bacon – Thick cut bacon is a great choice for sandwiches. It’s thick and crispy, which means it won’t get lost under the bun.
- Red onion – Adds spicy crunch! If you can’t have red onions, just leave them off.
- Cheddar cheese – Cheddar is a classic choice, but gouda, gruyere, mozzarella, fiesta, or Italian cheese all taste great! Or use a combination for extra cheesy goodness.
- Butter – Melted butter creates a golden brown exterior.
How to make bbq chicken sliders
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Step 1: Combine the shredded chicken and barbecue sauce in a medium bowl.
Step 2: Stir until well coated, and feel free to make it as saucy as you like.
Step 3: Spray a large baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Slice the rolls in half and place the bottom halves into the baking dish.
Step 4: Spread the shredded BBQ chicken over the rolls in an even layer. Add more BBQ sauce if desired.
Step 5: Top the shredded chicken with the cooked bacon and sliced red onions.
Step 6: Evenly sprinkle shredded cheese all over.
Step 7: Top with the other halves of the rolls, then brush the tops with melted butter.
Step 8: Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake uncovered for another 5 minutes. Let the chicken sliders cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Expert Tips:
- Cook the bacon until extra crispy! You can roast the bacon in the oven with little to no mess. We like to cook the bacon on a foil-lined sheet pan at 400ºF until nice and crispy. You don’t want your bacon to be soggy on the sandwiches.
- Use a rotisserie chicken to save on prep time. If you don’t have time to make shredded chicken, don’t worry. Just pick up a rotisserie chicken and shred it in your stand mixer or with two forks. We don’t recommend using canned chicken.
- Keep the rolls together. This is the fun part of the recipe, we want these to be pull apart sliders. Just slice through the whole sheet of buns to separate the tops and bottoms, keeping the actual buns connected.
- Prep the barbeque chicken slider ingredients a day in advance. Shred the chicken and coat in the sauce, shred the cheese, slice the onion, and cook the bacon. This way during a busty week or when hosting the party all you have to do is layer and bake!
Variations
- Swap the chicken. Try pulled pork, ham, or sliced turkey.
- Have fun with the toppings. Customize these barbecue chicken sliders with all your favorite toppings! Try pickled jalapenos, banana peppers, roasted red peppers, sliced pineapple, or coleslaw.
- Make them spicy. Add hot sauce or chipotle sauce to the barbecue chicken. Top with pickled jalapenos.
- Try a seasoned butter. Season the melted butter with spices or parmesan cheese for brushing on top of the buns.
Storage
Barbeque chicken sliders are best enjoyed immediately, but leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Reheat the sliders in the oven at 350ºF until hot and melty. Just wrap the sliders in aluminum foil and place in the oven for 5 to 10 minutes. We don’t recommend freezing the sliders, this will change the texture.
FAQs:
Chicken sliders taste great with any of your classic BBQ sides like baked beans, coleslaw, potato wedges, pasta salad, potato salad, or french fries. They go with nearly anything! Or for a lighter side dish, serve with cucumber salad or an easy mixed green salad with strawberries.
Boneless chicken breasts or boneless chicken thighs both shred well. Chicken thighs are higher in fat, which makes them a bit more moist. Just be sure to only shred the meat. You don’t want skin or bones in your shredded chicken.
The easiest way to shred chicken is in the bowl of a stand mixer. Use the paddle attachment and mix on low speed until the chicken shreds. It shouldn’t take more than a minute. If you don’t have a stand mixer, use two forks instead.
BBQ Chicken Sliders
Ingredients
- 2 pounds cooked, shredded chicken Note 1
- 1 ¼ cups barbecue sauce
- 12 slider rolls
- 6 slices thick cut bacon cooked
- ½ cup sliced red onion
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese Note 2
- 4 tablespoons butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉. Spray 9×13-in baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a medium bowl, add the shredded chicken and BBQ sauce and mix. Set aside.
- Slice the slider rolls in half horizontally and place the bottom halves in the baking dish.
- Spread the BBQ shredded chicken over the rolls, top with the cooked bacon and red onion slices, then sprinkle on the cheddar cheese.
- Top with the other halves of the rolls and brush the tops with the melted butter.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake uncovered for another 5 minutes.
- Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Share your thoughts! If you make this please leave a review letting me know how it was!
Notes
– Barbeque chicken sliders are best enjoyed immediately, but leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
– Reheat the sliders in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until hot and melty. Just wrap the sliders in aluminum foil and place in the oven for 5 to 10 minutes.
Nutrition
* Disclaimer: All nutrition information are estimates only. Read full nutrition disclosure.
Tried this recipe?
Make sure to leave a recipe review below!
Sharing of this recipe is encouraged and appreciated. Copying of full recipe to any social media is prohibited.
Comments + Reviews