BBQ Chicken Sliders

Our BBQ chicken sliders are a delectable blend of tender shredded chicken, smoky barbecue sauce, and soft slider buns topped with crisp red onions, creating a crowd-pleasing snack or meal.

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Table of Contents

BBQ Chicken Sliders Ingredients
Substitutions and Additions
How To Make This BBQ Chicken Sliders Recipe
How To Serve
Storage
Why We Love This Recipe
Frequently Asked Questions
More Recipes You’ll Love
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Our flavorful BBQ chicken sliders are the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Sweet and smoky barbecue sauce, tender chicken, and soft slider buns combine for a flavor explosion you won’t want to miss.

BBQ Chicken Sliders Ingredients

In this chicken sliders recipe, the shredded chicken takes the spotlight, absorbing the flavorful barbecue sauce, resulting in a tender and delicious filling.

Barbecue sauce contributes a delightful blend of smokiness, sweetness, and subtle tanginess that complements the dish perfectly.

The potato rolls serve as the soft and slightly sweet foundation for these sliders, while thinly sliced red onions add a refreshing crunch and a hint of zesty flavor.

You’ll need:

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

BBQ Chicken Sliders raw ingredients that are labeled

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

Optional Toppings For Cold Sliders:

2 cups of shredded coleslaw blend (cabbage, carrots, and red cabbage)
½ cup of coleslaw dressing
24 dill pickle sandwich slices, patted dry

Substitutions and Additions

CHICKEN: You can also purchase a rotisserie chicken from your grocery or big box store and shred all the white and dark meat to yield the 3-3½ cups needed for this BBQ chicken slider recipe.

This is an excellent alternative if you are short on time or just want a really easy-to-assemble dish for parties or a busy weeknight meal.

BBQ SAUCE: I use a very popular brand of barbecue sauce (Sweet Baby Ray’s) that has a smokey, sweet, and slightly tangy flavor. It is also on the thicker side and pairs really well with red onions and cheddar cheese.

You can use your favorite brand of bottled barbecue sauce or a homemade favorite.

SLIDER BUNS: While Martin’s potato rolls are great, any slider buns, including whole wheat or gluten-free options, will work.

You could also use sweet Hawaiian rolls, as they are the perfect size for sliders.

RED ONIONS: Feel free to use sweet onions or pickled onions for variation.

How To Make This BBQ Chicken Sliders Recipe

Let’s have a look at how to assemble these small sandwiches. We’ve given two options, depending on if you want to serve them warm or cold.

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

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.

STEP ONE: 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.

cooked chicken coated with barbecue sauce in a pot

STEP TWO: 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.

bottom of slider buns placed in the baking dish

STEP THREE: Spread the shredded BBQ chicken in an even layer over the bottom buns in the baking dish.

chicken spread over the slider buns in the baking dish

STEP FOUR: 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.

onions sprinkled evenly over the chicken in the baking dish

For The Hot Sliders

STEP ONE: Preheat oven to 350°F. Place the slices of mild cheddar cheese over the entire surface of the onions and BBQ chicken.

slices of cheddar cheese place on top in the baking dish

STEP TWO: 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.

STEP THREE: 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.

For The Cold Sliders

STEP ONE: 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.

STEP TWO: 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

Pair your delicious sliders with a side of sweet potato fries for a satisfying meal. The sweetness of the fries complements the smoky barbecue flavor.

Serve these sliders as appetizers at your next gathering. These bite-sized snacks are the perfect party food that will disappear in no time.

Include our bacon cheeseburger sliders and ham and Swiss sliders for a variety of handheld sandwiches.

Turn these sliders into a complete meal by serving them with a side of coleslaw and corn on the cob for a classic BBQ feast.

Try pairing these sliders with a refreshing glass of iced tea or a cold craft beer for a delightful combination.

If you are looking for even more slider recipes, don’t forget to check out our pizza sliders and French dip sliders.

MORE SLIDERS RECIPES

Sliders

Buffalo Chicken Sliders

Sliders

Ham & Cheese Sliders

Storage

Whether you’re planning to make these ahead or have leftovers to preserve, here’s what you need to know:

MAKE AHEAD: You can prepare the BBQ chicken ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days.

For longer storage, freeze the barbecue sauce-coated chicken for up to two months, thawing it in the refrigerator before use.

IN THE FRIDGE: Leftover chicken sliders can be stored in the fridge for up to two days. Reheat them in the oven or microwave for a quick meal.

IN THE FREEZER: Freeze any leftover sliders in an airtight container for up to two months. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator and heat in the oven for a fresh-from-the-oven taste.

REHEATING: To reheat, place sliders in a preheated oven at 350°F until heated through. Alternatively, microwave them for a quick warm-up.

Why We Love This Recipe

QUICK AND EASY: BBQ chicken sliders are a breeze to make, whether you’re preparing a snack or a party platter. Their simplicity makes them a go-to choice for busy days.

CROWD PLEASER: With their sweet and savory flavors, these sliders are sure to please everyone at your gathering. They’re a guaranteed hit.

FLAVOR EXPLOSION: The combination of smoky barbecue sauce, tender chicken, and soft buns creates a taste explosion that’s truly unforgettable.

BBQ chicken sliders are a delightful dish that excels in flavor and versatility. Whether you’re hosting a party or seeking an easy weeknight dinner, these sliders fit the bill. Their smoky-sweet ingredients and ease of preparation make them a must-try for any food lover.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use store-bought rotisserie chicken?

Using store-bought rotisserie chicken is a convenient option for this recipe.

Can I freeze the sliders?

You can freeze leftover sliders for later enjoyment. Just remember to thaw and reheat before serving.

Can I use whole wheat slider buns?

Whole wheat slider buns are a nutritious option that pairs well with BBQ chicken.

How can I make these sliders spicier?

Add some sliced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to kick up the heat.

Can I use homemade barbecue sauce?

Homemade barbecue sauce is a great way to customize the flavor to your liking.

Are there vegetarian alternatives?

You can substitute the chicken with grilled portobello mushrooms for a vegetarian version.

What other cheese options can I use?

Feel free to experiment with your favorite cheeses, such as pepper jack or Swiss, for a unique twist.

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BBQ Chicken Sliders

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Our BBQ chicken sliders are a delectable blend of tender shredded chicken, smoky barbecue sauce, and soft slider buns topped with crisp red onions, creating a crowd-pleasing snack or meal.

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Total Time 30

Servings

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Ingredients

2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast, cooked and shredded (this will yield approximately 3 to 3½ cups)
1¼ 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

Instructions

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

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This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

Stephanie Keeping Publisher
Layne Kangas Marketing
Lenore Ortyl Editorial Director
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BBQ Chicken Sliders

BBQ Chicken Sliders Ingredients

Substitutions and Additions

How To Make This BBQ Chicken Sliders Recipe

How To Serve