BBQ Chicken Sliders

BBQ Chicken Sliders are part of our Back-To-School Lifesavers — a series of recipes that are intended to have little (or no) veggie chopping, minimal prep time, around 10 ingredients or less (not including pantry staples), and use kid-friendly ingredients. Click here to see all the recipes in the series!

BBQ Chicken Sliders

I absolutely love barbecue Chicken! You’ll find no less than a dozen recipes on this site where BBQ chicken plays a starring role – in everything from tacos and sandwiches to pizzas and salads.

The beauty of this saucy chicken is its versatility, making it a fantastic way to keep overall recipe ingredients simple. That’s why you’ve seen it pop up in numerous “back-to-school lifesaver” recipes. Take, for instance, these incredible BBQ Chicken Tacos with coleslaw or these favorite BBQ Chicken stuffed sweet potatoes.

These sliders are no exception to the rule – they’re super easy to whip up, boasting an unbeatable combination of flavors and textures. Imagine saucy, tender chicken nestled between crisp, buttery rolls – can it possibly get any better?!

BBQ Chicken Sliders Ingredients

• Sweet Hawaiian rolls: The sweetness of these rolls perfectly complements the savory elements of the sliders. They should be fresh to ensure the best texture and flavor.
• Rotisserie chicken: Here’s where you can really save some time! You can usually find ready-to-eat rotisserie chicken at your local grocery store. For the quickest prep time, I suggest buying rotisserie chicken meat that has already been pulled from the bones and shredded. You can usually find this in the deli section of most grocery stores. OR: Leftover cooked or grilled chicken: If you have some on hand, leftover cooked or grilled chicken with a basic salt and pepper seasoning can also work well for this recipe. 
• BBQ sauce: This forms the flavor base, so go for a quality brand that you really enjoy. Whether you prefer sweet, smoky, or spicy BBQ sauce, it’s all up to your personal preference. My personal favorite is Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ® (original) sauce or Stubb’s Original BBQ® sauce. Or if you happen to have some leftovers from a batch of homemade BBQ Sauce — nothing beats that!
• Gouda cheese: Gouda melts well and adds a gentle smoky flavor. Sharp Cheddar also works well in these BBQ Chicken Sliders.
• Garlic-herb butter: Brush the tops of the rolls, adding a garlicky, herby flavor. To simplify the ingredients list, I prefer using a ready-made garlic-herb butter, such as the incredible Kerrygold® variety, which keeps the topping effortlessly delicious. However, a homemade blend of 4 tablespoons of butter mixed with ¼ to ½ teaspoon of garlic powder and ½ to 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning will do the trick just as well.

BBQ Chicken Sliders: Optional Ingredients

• Red onion: This is optional, but it adds a crisp texture and a pop of color. Be sure to dice the onion very finely diced to distribute the flavor evenly without overpowering the sliders.
• Cilantro: Also optional, cilantro lends a fresh, herby note that can balance out the richness of the other ingredients. Make sure to chop it finely for even distribution.
• Parmesan cheese: Grated Parmesan adds a lovely finishing touch and saltiness. Using freshly grated Parmesan rather than pre-packaged can provide a better flavor and melt more nicely. Avoid shelf-stable Parmesan– here’s what we use to top these BBQ Chicken Sliders!

How To Make BBQ Chicken Sliders (Tips)

• Use quality ingredients: Like any recipe, the quality of your ingredients makes a big difference. If possible, choose a good-quality BBQ sauce (that you love), quality cheese, and fresh rolls for the best flavor.
• Chop ingredients finely: When you’re adding the optional ingredients like red onion and cilantro, make sure they’re finely chopped so they blend in well with the other ingredients and don’t overpower the sliders.
• Spread the butter evenly: When you get to the garlic-herb butter, spread it evenly over the rolls. This will give you a uniform golden-brown color and crispy texture. Don’t forget to let some pool at the bottom for extra crispness on the bottom of the rolls!
• Monitor while baking: Every oven is different, so keep an eye on your sliders, especially during the last few minutes of baking. You want the rolls to be a nice golden brown on top.
• Serve immediately: These BBQ Chicken Sliders are best enjoyed right out of the oven while the cheese is still melty and the rolls are crispy. They can get soggy if left to sit for too long, so it’s best to serve them right away.

What To Serve With BBQ Chicken Sliders

1. Coleslaw: This is a classic side for BBQ, with the creaminess and crunch of the coleslaw providing a nice contrast to the sliders. This Apple Coleslaw is another favorite!
2. Potato Salad: Another BBQ favorite, potato salad can be made in various ways, whether you prefer it with a creamy dressing or a lighter, vinegar-based one.
3. Grilled corn on the cob: With a little butter, salt, and pepper, grilled corn can be a simple yet flavorful accompaniment. Or try our favorite Elote recipe!
4. Pasta salad: Try a cold pasta salad– perhaps this Pesto Pasta Salad, Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad, or BLT Pasta Salad!
5. Baked beans: Another traditional BBQ side, baked beans would complement the flavors in the BBQ chicken sliders well.
6. Pickle spears: The tanginess of pickles nicely cuts through the richness of the sliders.
7. Garden salad: If you’re looking for something lighter, a fresh garden salad with a vinaigrette dressing makes for a nice contrast to the hearty sliders.

More Slider Recipes:

• Grinder Sliders with a tangy slaw topping
• French Dip Sliders with au jus
• Monte Cristo Sliders served with jam!
• Cuban Sliders with pulled pork
• Italian Sliders with roasted red peppers

SaveSaved Pin Print

5 from 2 votes

BBQ Chicken Sliders

By Chelsea Lords

BBQ Chicken Sliders combine juicy BBQ chicken, melty Gouda, and sweet Hawaiian rolls, topped with onion and cilantro. Brushed with garlic-herb butter, these sliders bake up golden and crispy!

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 12 sliders

Equipment

• Sheet pan 9 x 13-inch
• Aluminum foil

Ingredients 

USMetric

 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 12 sweet Hawaiian rolls
• ▢ 3 cups shredded/chopped rotisserie chicken see note 1
• ▢ 1 cup BBQ sauce see note 2
• ▢ 1 (8-ounce) package thinly sliced Gouda cheese or sharp Cheddar, 12 slices
• ▢ 1/3 cup finely diced red onion optional
• ▢ 2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro optional
• ▢ 4 tablespoons garlic-herb butter see note 3
• ▢ 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan optional

Instructions 

• Preheat oven to 400℉. Generously grease a 9x13-inch sheet pan. Using a sharp serrated knife, slice Hawaiian rolls in half, ensuring they stay together as one top and one bottom slab. Place the bottom slab of rolls in the prepared pan.
• Add shredded/chopped chicken and BBQ sauce to a medium bowl. Stir until chicken is saucy.
• Layer half the cheese onto the bottom slab of rolls, followed by the BBQ chicken. If desired, add the finely diced red onion and chopped cilantro. Add remaining cheese on top, followed by the top slab of rolls.
• Melt garlic-herb butter in the microwave, then slowly pour it over the rolls. Use a pastry brush or spatula to evenly spread melted butter across the tops and sides of the rolls, allowing some to pool at the bottom—it makes the bottoms crispy! If using, sprinkle Parmesan evenly on top.
• Cover sliders with foil and bake 20 minutes, then remove foil and bake for an additional 3–6 minutes or until cheese has fully melted and rolls are golden brown on top.
• Remove from oven. These sliders are best enjoyed right out of the oven as they tend to become soggy if left for any length of time.

Video

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Many grocery and warehouse stores offer hot-and-ready rotisserie chicken! However, for the quickest prep time, I suggest buying rotisserie chicken meat that has already been pulled from the bones and shredded. You can usually find this in the deli section of most grocery stores. Or if you have some on hand, leftover baked chicken or grilled chicken with a basic salt-and-pepper seasoning can also work well for this recipe.

Note 2: Go for a quality BBQ sauce brand that you enjoy. My personal favorite is Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ® (original) sauce or Stubb’s Original BBQ® sauce.

Note 3: Nothing beats this amazing Kerrygold® garlic butter (so delicious and helps cut down on ingredients needed!). However, a homemade blend of 4 tablespoons butter mixed with 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder and 1/2 to 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning will do the trick just as well.

Nutrition

Calories: 293kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 68mg | Sodium: 548mg | Potassium: 167mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 299IU | Vitamin C: 0.5mg | Calcium: 150mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Like this? Leave a comment below!