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BBQ Chicken Sliders

Featured in Crowd-Pleasing Appetizers and Snacks for Any Occasion.

These mini sandwiches are a hit, combining barbecue chicken, crunchy bacon, and gooey cheese on soft bread rolls. They’re quick to make and great for parties, taking just 30 minutes.

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Updated on Tue, 18 Mar 2025 18:54:26 GMT
Close-up shot of barbecue chicken sliders topped with bacon and garnished with parsley on a white serving dish. Pin it
Close-up shot of barbecue chicken sliders topped with bacon and garnished with parsley on a white serving dish. | chefmelt.com

Need a crowd-pleaser for your next get-together? These BBQ chicken sliders will blow everyone away! Imagine tender pulled chicken drenched in tangy BBQ sauce, topped with crunchy bacon and gooey cheese, all stuffed between fluffy Hawaiian buns. I first whipped these up for football Sundays, and now my crew bugs me to make them practically every week!

What Makes Them Special

They're done in just half an hour, which is perfect when you're swamped! Even the fussiest kids at my table gobble them up. You can customize the add-ons any way you want, and they'll feed tons of people without much effort. Can't beat that!

Stuff You'll Need

  • The Chicken: Pick up a store-cooked rotisserie to cut down on prep!
  • BBQ Sauce: Go with whatever you love, tangy or fiery.
  • Tasty Rolls: The Hawaiian sweet ones really shine here.
  • Gooey Cheese: Strong cheddar brings the flavor punch.
  • Crunchy Bacon: Splurge on the premium thick slices.
  • Zingy Onion: Purple ones give just the right kick.
  • Unsalted Butter: For that shiny, toasty finish.

Steps To Follow

Prep Time
Heat your oven to 350°F and give the pan a quick oil spray.
Mix Everything
Pull apart that chicken and toss it with your BBQ sauce until every bit gets some love.
Stack It Up
Slice those buns horizontally but keep them attached! Pile on your BBQ chicken, bacon bits, sliced onions and a mountain of cheese.
Finish The Tops
Place the upper buns back on and brush them with melty butter for that gorgeous glaze.
Into The Oven
Wrap with foil and cook for 15 minutes, then another 5 uncovered until they're all toasty and tempting!

Pro Tips

Fry your bacon beforehand to save yourself hassle. Don't separate those rolls while prepping, it makes the whole job way easier. Want more zip? Throw some garlic or smoky paprika into your butter. Craving heat? Drop in some sliced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce, go wild!

A close-up of delicious pulled chicken sliders garnished with bacon and placed on a white plate. Pin it
A close-up of delicious pulled chicken sliders garnished with bacon and placed on a white plate. | chefmelt.com

Fun Variations

Swap chicken for juicy pulled pork or add some coleslaw on top. Feeling tropical? Toss on some pineapple chunks for an island twist. Going veggie? Meat alternatives work great in this dish! Want extra texture? Sprinkle on some fried onions or colorful bell peppers.

Storing Extras

Got some left? They'll stay good in your fridge for about 3 days. Wrap them in aluminum foil before warming them up so they stay juicy. Want to get ahead? You can put everything together a day early, just wait to brush on that butter until you're ready to bake!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What’s the best chicken to use?

Go with any shredded chicken like chicken breast, chicken thighs, or even rotisserie chicken from the store.

→ Can I swap out the cheese?

Yes, any shredded cheese will work—just choose the one you like best!

→ How should leftovers be stored?

Pop them into a sealed container and keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days.

→ What’s the best way to warm them back up?

Wrap them in foil and reheat in the oven at 180°C for 5 to 10 minutes.

→ Can I prep these in advance?

You sure can! Put them together up to a day beforehand and bake them fresh just before you need them.

BBQ Chicken Sliders

Tiny sandwiches filled with saucy BBQ chicken, smoky bacon, and melted cheese on soft buns.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
20 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes


Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 12 Servings (12)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 1 1/4 cups barbecue sauce, flavorful and tangy.
02 2 pounds of chicken, cooked and shredded.
03 12 mini brioche buns, soft and fluffy.
04 6 strips of crispy, thick bacon.
05 1/2 cup of thinly sliced red onion.
06 4 tablespoons of butter, melted to perfection.
07 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded finely.

Instructions

Step 01

Set your oven at 175°C (or 350°F) and grease up a rectangular 9x13-inch dish with some non-stick spray to ensure nothing sticks.

Step 02

In a bowl, mix the shredded chicken with the barbecue sauce well, spreading the barbecue goodness evenly across all pieces.

Step 03

Using careful hands, slice your buns horizontally in one piece—don’t separate individual buns yet.

Step 04

Snugly fit the bottom part of the sliced buns into the greased baking dish, making sure they’re cozy and leave no space between buns.

Step 05

Evenly cover the bottom buns with your barbecue chicken mixture, making sure each bite-to-be is packed with chicken.

Step 06

Top the chicken with pieces of the crispy bacon, breaking them as needed to cover everything nicely.

Step 07

Spread the thin onion slices across the bacon layer to add a bit of zesty crunch.

Step 08

Cover up all the layers so far with shredded cheddar, making sure no spot is left without cheesy goodness.

Step 09

Place the top half of the buns over the layered fillings, lining them up exactly with the bottom buns.

Step 10

Generously brush the melted butter over all the tops of the buns, making sure you get every corner and edge.

Step 11

Cover your dish tightly with foil to stop the tops from over-browning too quickly while baking.

Step 12

Put it in the oven with foil on and bake for 15 minutes. This helps the cheese melt and warms up the fillings.

Step 13

Carefully remove the foil and bake for a little longer, about 5 minutes, until the bun tops are golden brown.

Step 14

Take it out and leave it for 5 minutes before cutting. This helps the layers stay in place while serving.

Step 15

Cut along the bun lines with a sharp knife to portion out sliders, and they’re ready to serve.

Notes

  1. Takes no time to prep.
  2. Perfect for feeding a group.
  3. You can make it ahead of time.
  4. A simple recipe for a busy dinner night.

Tools You'll Need

  • Rectangular baking dish (9x13).
  • A medium-sized mixing bowl.
  • Butter brush or pastry brush.
  • Kitchen foil.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (cheese, butter).
  • Includes gluten (buns).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 444
  • Total Fat: 22 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 33 g
  • Protein: 27 g