BBQ Chicken Sliders Recipe: How To Make The Best Sliders
Learn How To Make these irresistible BBQ chicken sliders with tender shredded chicken, smoky BBQ sauce, melted cheese, and soft slider buns. Perfect for parties, game days, or quick family meals, this recipe is customizable, crowd-pleasing, and ready in just 35 minutes!
Equipment
- baking dish
- Parchment paper
- Nonstick cooking spray
- Pastry Brush (for the butter topping)
- Mixing Bowls
- Aluminum foil
Ingredients
- 12 slider buns split
- 4 cups cooked chicken shredded
- 1 cup BBQ sauce Sweet Baby Ray’s recommended
- ¼ red onion thinly sliced
- 1 cup mozzarella grated
- ½ cup smoked gouda grated
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Fresh ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper and lightly spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- Prepare the Slider Base: Place the bottom halves of the slider buns into the prepared baking dish, ensuring they fit snugly.
- Mix the Chicken: In a mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken with ½ cup of BBQ sauce. Stir until the chicken is fully coated.
- Assemble the Sliders: Spread the BBQ chicken mixture evenly over the buns. Drizzle the remaining BBQ sauce on top, then layer with red onion slices, mozzarella, and smoked gouda. Scatter 1 tablespoon of chopped cilantro evenly over the top and add a light sprinkle of black pepper for extra flavor.
- Add the Top Buns: Place the top halves of the buns over the assembled sliders.
- Bake (Covered): Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes.
- Prepare the Butter Topping: As the sliders bake, heat the butter in a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl until fully melted. Stir in the remaining cilantro.
- Bake (Uncovered): Remove the foil and brush the tops of the buns with the butter mixture. Put the dish back in the oven and continue baking uncovered for about 10 minutes, or until the tops achieve a golden, crispy texture.
- Serve: Take the sliders out of the oven and allow them to rest for a few minutes before serving. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Cooking the Chicken: If you don’t have cooked chicken on hand, cook 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a skillet with a drizzle of olive oil over medium-high heat. Cook until no longer pink inside (7–10 minutes), then shred with two forks.
- Add Extra Heat: If you like spicy food, add sliced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the BBQ chicken mixture.
- Make Ahead: Prepare the sliders the day before by assembling them, wrapping them securely, and storing them in the refrigerator until ready to bake. Bake just before serving.
- Storage: Keep any leftover sliders fresh by placing them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. When ready to enjoy, warm them in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes until heated through.