Get ready for a party in every bite with these irresistible Buffalo Chicken Sliders! Tender, shredded chicken tossed in zesty buffalo sauce, piled high on soft slider buns, and baked with a generous layer of melty cheese. These mini sandwiches are packed with all the bold, spicy, and tangy flavors you love about buffalo wings, but in a convenient, crowd-pleasing slider form. Perfect for game days, potlucks, or any casual gathering!
Why I Love This Recipe
I’m a huge fan of dishes that deliver big on flavor and are perfect for feeding a crowd, and these Buffalo Chicken Sliders absolutely nail it! What I truly adore is how they capture the essence of hot, tangy, and spicy buffalo wings in a fun, easy-to-eat sandwich. The tender shredded chicken absorbs all that fantastic buffalo sauce, and then that gooey, melted cheese takes it to a whole new level of comfort. They’re incredibly satisfying and always a huge hit, disappearing fast at every party. Plus, they’re surprisingly simple to assemble, making them a go-to for effortless entertaining!
Ingredients:
- 1.5 – 2 lbs cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken works great)
- ¾ cup buffalo sauce (your favorite brand)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 (12-count) package Hawaiian sweet rolls or other soft slider buns
- 1 ½ cups shredded Monterey Jack or provolone cheese
- Optional: ½ cup crumbled blue cheese or extra shredded cheddar
- Optional: 1 tbsp dried ranch seasoning (for a ranch butter topping)
- For serving: blue cheese dressing, ranch dressing, celery sticks, carrot sticks
Swaps and Notes
- Cooked Chicken: Shredded rotisserie chicken is the ultimate shortcut for this recipe. You can also boil or bake chicken breasts/thighs and shred them.
- Buffalo Sauce: Use your favorite brand of buffalo sauce. Adjust the amount to your preferred spice level. For a milder flavor, mix buffalo sauce with a little extra melted butter or a splash of chicken broth.
- Slider Buns: Hawaiian sweet rolls are fantastic for their sweetness and soft texture, which complements the spicy chicken. Any soft slider buns or dinner rolls will work.
- Cheese: Monterey Jack or provolone cheese melts beautifully and has a mild flavor that balances the buffalo sauce. Cheddar or a Mexican blend can also be used. Crumbled blue cheese adds an authentic buffalo flavor.
- Ranch Butter Topping (Optional): Melting butter with a little dried ranch seasoning and brushing it over the tops of the buns adds an extra layer of savory flavor and helps the buns brown.
- Toppings: Offer classic accompaniments like blue cheese dressing, ranch dressing, and crisp celery and carrot sticks.
- Make Ahead: The buffalo chicken mixture can be made ahead of time, making assembly quicker just before baking.
Instructions:
1. Prepare Buffalo Chicken Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the 1.5 – 2 lbs shredded cooked chicken with ¾ cup buffalo sauce and 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter. Toss everything together until the chicken is evenly coated and saucy.
2. Assemble Sliders: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Carefully slice the entire package of Hawaiian sweet rolls (or slider buns) horizontally through the middle, keeping the top and bottom halves intact. Place the bottom half of the buns in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Evenly spread the buffalo chicken mixture over the bottom half of the rolls. Sprinkle 1 ½ cups shredded Monterey Jack or provolone cheese over the chicken. If using, also sprinkle ½ cup crumbled blue cheese. Place the top half of the rolls over the cheese.
3. Prepare Optional Topping & Bake: (Optional: For a ranch butter topping, melt 2 tablespoons butter with 1 tablespoon dried ranch seasoning and brush over the tops of the buns.) Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the sliders are heated through. Remove the foil for the last 5-7 minutes of baking, or until the tops of the buns are lightly golden brown and the cheese is extra gooey.
4. Serve: Remove the sliders from the oven. Let them cool slightly for 5 minutes. Slice along the pre-cut lines (or create your own). Serve warm with blue cheese dressing, ranch dressing, and crisp celery and carrot sticks on the side. Enjoy your spicy, cheesy Buffalo Chicken Sliders!
Tips for Success
- Shred Chicken Well: Shredding chicken into fine strands helps it absorb the buffalo sauce thoroughly.
- Don’t Over-Sauce: Use just enough buffalo sauce to coat the chicken without making it overly wet, which could lead to soggy buns.
- Sweet Rolls Complement Spice: The sweetness of Hawaiian rolls offers a nice balance to the heat of the buffalo sauce.
- Melted Butter on Buns (Optional): Brushing melted butter on the tops of the buns helps them brown and crisp up.
- Don’t Overbake: Bake until cheese is melted and bubbly, and buns are lightly golden. Overbaking can dry out the chicken.
- Serve Warm: These sliders are best served warm when the cheese is gooey.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
Buffalo Chicken Sliders are a fantastic, crowd-pleasing dish perfect for game days, parties, or a fun family dinner.
- Game Day Spread: A must-have alongside other party favorites like This Crockpot Nacho Dip Is the Reason I Never Have Leftovers or Easy Cheese Stuffed Chicken Wontons with Ranch Golden Crunchy Addictive.
- Side Dishes: Serve with crisp celery and carrot sticks (classic!), potato chips, or a simple side salad.
- Drinks: Pair with cold beer, soda, or a refreshing glass of This Blueberry Lemonade Is My Favorite Refreshing Drink for Sunny Days.
- For other easy and flavorful chicken-based meals, check out these Chefmaniac.com favorites:
- Easy Cheesy Chicken Sliders with Marinara Garlic Butter (for another slider variation!)
- A Light, Tangy Chicken Salad I Actually Crave (and There’s No Mayo in Sight)
- This Mexican Chicken and Rice Casserole Is My Favorite One-Pan Dinner That’s Always a Hit
- These Chicken Enchiladas Are My Go-To for Cozy Crowd-Pleasing Dinners
Storage and Leftover Tips
Buffalo Chicken Sliders are best enjoyed fresh from the oven, but leftovers can be stored.
- Refrigeration: Store any leftover assembled sliders (without fresh toppings) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. The buns may soften slightly.
- Reheating: Reheat in a preheated oven or toaster oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through and the cheese is bubbly again. This helps the buns re-crisp slightly. Microwaving is possible but will make the buns soggy.
- Buffalo Chicken Mixture (Pre-made): You can prepare the buffalo chicken mixture (without assembling in buns) up to 3 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Assemble and bake just before serving.
- Freezing: Assembled and baked sliders are generally not recommended for freezing due to the bread and cheese texture changes. The buffalo chicken mixture itself could be frozen for up to 1 month, then thawed and assembled fresh.
Final Thoughts
These Buffalo Chicken Sliders are a truly irresistible dish that brings the bold, spicy, and tangy flavors of buffalo wings into a fun, easy-to-eat slider form. They’re perfect for any gathering, promising a cheesy, comforting, and utterly delicious experience. Get ready to bake a batch and watch them disappear!
What are your go-to game day appetizers, or do you have a secret ingredient that makes your buffalo chicken extra special? Share your insights and feedback in the comments below, and don’t forget to follow Chefmaniac for more exciting and delicious recipes!
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