These chicken BBQ sliders are the perfect party bite or easy weeknight dinner. With saucy chicken, melty cheese, and sweet Hawaiian rolls, they’re ready in 45 minutes and guaranteed to disappear fast.
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Why You’ll Love Barbeque Chicken Sliders
Sliders have a way of bringing people together, and I love making these because they’re fun, easy, and always a hit. There’s something so satisfying about pulling a tray of golden rolls from the oven, all stuffed with saucy chicken and melty cheddar, and watching everyone reach for them before they even hit the table.
I love how stress-free they are too! Just a few simple steps and you’ve got a meal that looks like it took way more effort than it actually did. It’s the kind of recipe I keep in my back pocket for busy weeknights, but they also feel special enough for game days, parties, or sharing with friends.
My family never complains when these BBQ chicken sliders show up, and honestly, neither do I. Here’s why you’ll want to make this one again and again:
- Quick and easy to make
- Always a crowd-pleaser
- Cheesy, saucy, and full of flavor
- Bakes all at once for no-fuss prep
Ingredient Information And Substitutions
- Shredded chicken- Rotisserie chicken makes this extra easy, but you can use leftover baked or grilled chicken. You can also swap in shredded turkey or pulled pork. I like to make shredded chicken in a slow cooker or instant pot. You can also go the extra flavor-mile and make my slow cooker BBQ chicken!
- BBQ sauce- Use your favorite store-bought or homemade sauce. Sweet, smoky, or spicy varieties all work.
- Cheddar cheese- Melts beautifully. Swap in mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or Pepper Jack for a twist.
- Hawaiian rolls- Their subtle sweetness makes them perfect, but any soft dinner rolls or mini buns will do. Keep them attached when you slice through to create tops and bottoms!
- Butter- Adds richness and helps the tops of the rolls bake to a golden brown.
- Ranch seasoning- Brings extra flavor to the buttery topping. Sub with Italian seasoning, or a mix of garlic and onion powder.
- Coleslaw (Optional)- Put these sliders over the top with a little bit of crunchy apple slaw!
How To Make Pulled Chicken Sliders
Step 1- Toast the rolls and prep the chicken.
Set your oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment. Slice the rolls through the middle, then place the bottom piece on one side of the pan and bake for about 5 minutes to lightly toast. Remove from the oven.
While the roll bottoms are toasting, stir the shredded chicken together with the BBQ sauce until fully coated.
Step 2- Build the sliders.
Spread the saucy chicken evenly over the toasted roll bottoms and sprinkle with shredded cheddar. Place the connected roll tops on the other side of the pan, cut side down.
Step 3- Add the topping.
Whisk the melted butter and ranch seasoning together in a small bowl. Brush the mixture over the tops of the rolls and return the pan to the oven and bake, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the rolls are golden.
Step 4- Bake and serve.
Remove from the oven once cheese is melted, add apple slaw on top of the chicken (if using), and place the top half of the rolls on top. Slice into individual chicken sliders and serve warm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can assemble the chicken and cheese on the rolls a few hours in advance. Cover and refrigerate, remove 45 minutes before baking and then bake right before serving.
Absolutely. Try layering in sliced or pickled red onion, tangy pickles, or even some crispy bacon to make each chicken slider flavorful, fun, and your own.
Use a sharp serrated knife (like a bread knife) to slice through the middle creating roll tops and bottoms, whole leaving them attached. Take your time to try and keep them even thickness. To slice finished sliders, cut straight down through the connected sliders.
Tips For Making Barbecue Chicken Sliders
- Take your time when slicing the rolls to create tops and bottoms. You want to keep them attached and going slow helps ensure the tops and bottoms are even thickness.
- Toast the bottom rolls first. This quick step keeps the bread from getting soggy once the saucy chicken and cheese go on top.
- Pick your BBQ sauce wisely. A sweeter sauce makes these more kid-friendly, while smoky or spicy ones add a little extra kick.
- Don’t skip the butter topping. The ranch butter adds flavor and helps the rolls bake up golden, toasty, and extra delicious.
- This recipe is easy to double. If you’re cooking for a crowd, just bake on two sheet pans, then combine and serve straight from the tray for easy sharing.
- Ingredients to prep ahead- Shred the chicken and mix it with the BBQ sauce earlier so assembly is fast when ready to bake. Make the apple slaw and chill if using.
- Leftovers and storage- These Hawaiian rolls chicken sliders taste best fresh, but leftovers will keep covered in the fridge for up to 2 days. Warm them in the oven so the rolls stay crisp.
What To Serve With Hawaiian Roll Chicken Sliders
These sliders are strong solo, but add a few extras and you’ve got a spread that’s made for game day or gatherings! They pair especially well with lighter sides that balance the richness and melted cheese. Here are some tasty pairings to complete our chicken sliders recipe:
Other Easy Dinner Recipes To Try
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below ⬇️ and/or a review in the comment section further down. Check out my Amazon Store for all my favorite tools, including those used in this recipe. And follow @thelifejolie on Instagram and TikTok!
Chicken BBQ Sliders
Equipment
- 1 Spatula
Ingredients
- 12 slider buns sliced through the middle leaving the tops attached and the bottoms attached- I like King's Hawaiian
- 3 cups shredded chicken cooked
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 Tablespoons salted butter melted
- 1 teaspoon ranch seasoning
- 2 cups coleslaw
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a large sheet pan with parchment. Place the bottom half of the slider buns onto one side of the sheet pan. Toast for 5 minutes and remove from the oven.
- While the bottoms of the slider rolls bake, combine chicken and BBQ sauce until the chicken is evenly coated.
- Spread the chicken on the bottom rolls on the pan. Sprinkle with an even layer of shredded cheddar cheese. Place the connected tops of the slider rolls on the other side of the pan.
- In a small bowl, whisk the melted butter and the ranch seasoning until well combined. Brush this over the slider roll tops.
- Return to the oven and bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes. Remove from the oven.
- Place an even layer of slaw on top of the cheese and place the slider roll tops on top of the sliders. Slice and serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- Take your time when slicing the rolls to create tops and bottoms. You want to keep them attached and going slow helps ensure the tops and bottoms are even thickness.
- Toast the bottom rolls first. This quick step keeps the bread from getting soggy once the saucy chicken and cheese go on top.
- Pick your BBQ sauce wisely. A sweeter sauce makes these more kid-friendly, while smoky or spicy ones add a little extra kick.
- Don’t skip the butter topping. The ranch butter adds flavor and helps the rolls bake up golden, toasty, and extra delicious.
- This recipe is easy to double. If you’re cooking for a crowd, just bake on two sheet pans, then combine and serve straight from the tray for easy sharing.
- Ingredients to prep ahead- Shred the chicken and mix it with the BBQ sauce earlier so assembly is fast when ready to bake. Make the apple slaw and chill if using.
- Leftovers and storage- These Hawaiian rolls chicken sliders taste best fresh, but leftovers will keep covered in the fridge for up to 2 days. Warm them in the oven so the rolls stay crisp.
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