Get ready to meet your new party superstar: these incredibly easy and unbelievably delicious Buffalo Chicken Sliders. We’re talking about juicy, spicy shredded chicken, drenched in classic buffalo sauce, piled onto soft Hawaiian rolls, and topped with melted cheese and a savory garlic butter glaze. Whether you need the perfect game day snack, a crowd-pleasing appetizer, or a quick weeknight dinner, this recipe is a guaranteed winner that will have everyone coming back for more.
Forget complicated recipes. This one is designed for maximum flavor with minimal effort. We’ll even share our top tips to make sure your sliders are perfectly baked and never soggy. Let’s get cooking!
Why You’ll Love These Buffalo Chicken Sliders
If you’re a fan of big flavors, this is the recipe for you. It takes all the spicy, tangy goodness of buffalo wings and transforms it into a perfect, handheld bite.
- Incredibly Flavorful: The combination of spicy buffalo sauce, rich butter, and creamy cheese is simply irresistible.
- Quick and Easy: Using pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken makes this recipe come together in under 30 minutes. It’s the perfect easy appetizer.
- Perfect for a Crowd: This recipe easily doubles or triples to feed a hungry crowd, making it ideal for parties and potlucks.
- Customizable: Adjust the spice, switch up the cheese, or add your favorite toppings. It’s easy to make these sliders your own.
The Key Ingredients for Perfect Sliders
The magic of this recipe is in its simplicity. You only need a handful of common ingredients to create these amazing shredded chicken sliders.
For the Buffalo Chicken Filling
- Shredded Chicken: A store-bought rotisserie chicken is your best friend here for speed and flavor. You can also boil or bake your own chicken breasts.
- Buffalo Sauce: Frank’s RedHot Wings Sauce is the classic choice for that authentic, tangy flavor.
- Cream Cheese: This is the secret to a creamy, rich filling that isn’t too runny.
- Ranch or Blue Cheese Dressing: Adds a layer of cool, creamy flavor that perfectly balances the heat.
For Assembly & Topping
- Slider Buns: Sweet Hawaiian rolls (like King’s Hawaiian) are the classic choice, as their sweetness pairs perfectly with the spicy chicken.
- Cheese: Provolone or mozzarella slices are great for their excellent melting quality. A sharp cheddar also works well.
- Butter Topping: A simple mix of melted butter, garlic powder, and parsley takes these sliders over the top.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Sliders Step-by-Step
Ready to see how easy these are? Just follow these simple steps.
- Preheat and Prep: First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Take your slab of Hawaiian rolls and, without separating them, slice them in half horizontally to create a top and bottom bun section. Place the bottom section in a baking dish.
- Mix the Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, cream cheese, and your choice of ranch or blue cheese dressing. Mix until everything is well combined.
- Assemble the Sliders: Spread the buffalo chicken mixture evenly over the bottom slab of rolls. If you’re a fan of creamy buffalo chicken dip, you’ll love this part! Place the cheese slices evenly over the chicken. Then, place the top slab of rolls on top.
- Make the Butter Topping: In a small bowl, melt the butter and stir in the garlic powder and dried parsley.
- Bake to Perfection: Brush the garlic butter mixture generously over the tops of the rolls. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for another 5-10 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the cheese is perfectly melted and bubbly.
Let the sliders cool for a few minutes before separating them with a knife. Serve them warm and watch them disappear!
Tips for Preventing Soggy Sliders
This is the number one question people have, and the solution is simple. The key is to manage the moisture in your filling. Make sure your cream cheese is softened but not melted, and don’t go overboard on the buffalo sauce. A thicker filling means the bread won’t get saturated. Baking them covered first also steams the inside, then uncovering allows the tops to get perfectly crisp without the bottoms getting soggy.
Easy Variations and Substitutions
While the classic recipe is a hit, there are plenty of ways to customize your Buffalo Chicken Sliders.
Chicken Variations
No rotisserie chicken? No problem. You can use canned chicken (drained well) for an ultra-fast version. Or, quickly boil and shred two chicken breasts. This recipe is versatile, much like our popular shredded chicken crack chicken sandwiches.
Cheese Swaps
Feel free to get creative with the cheese. A mix of Monterey Jack and cheddar would be delicious, or try Swiss for a milder flavor. For an extra kick, add some blue cheese crumbles into the chicken mixture.
Spice Level Adjustments
If you like it extra spicy, use a “hot” buffalo sauce or add a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce to the mix. For a milder version, use less buffalo sauce and a little more ranch or blue cheese dressing.
What to Serve with Your Sliders
These sliders are a meal in themselves, but they also pair wonderfully with classic party sides. Think about serving them with celery and carrot sticks with extra blue cheese dip, a crisp coleslaw, or a simple green salad. If you’re looking for another crowd-pleaser, a fresh Big Mac salad would be a fantastic and unexpected addition to the spread.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Got leftovers? Lucky you! Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, the best method is in the oven or an air fryer. This will help re-crisp the buns. A quick 5-8 minutes at 350°F should do the trick. Microwaving works in a pinch but can make the buns a bit soft.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! You can assemble the sliders (without the butter topping) up to 24 hours in advance. Cover and refrigerate. When you’re ready to bake, add the melted butter topping and bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the initial covered baking time.
The key is to use a thick filling. Make sure your cream cheese is softened, not melted, and don’t add excess buffalo sauce. Also, baking them covered first and then uncovering to crisp the tops prevents the bottoms from absorbing too much moisture.
Provolone and mozzarella are excellent choices because they melt beautifully and have a mild flavor that complements the spicy chicken. Sharp cheddar or Monterey Jack also work wonderfully if you prefer a stronger cheese flavor.
For the easiest and most flavorful option, a store-bought rotisserie chicken is perfect. However, you can also use boiled and shredded chicken breasts or even canned chicken (drained very well) in a pinch.
Classic pairings include celery and carrot sticks with blue cheese or ranch dip, a fresh coleslaw, potato chips, or a simple side salad. They are very versatile and go well with most potluck or party foods.
The Perfect Buffalo Chicken Sliders Recipe
Buffalo Chicken Sliders: The Ultimate Easy Game Day Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Without separating the rolls, use a serrated knife to slice the entire slab of rolls in half horizontally. Place the bottom half in a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- In a medium bowl, stir together the shredded chicken, buffalo wing sauce, softened cream cheese, and ranch or blue cheese dressing until well combined.
- Spread the buffalo chicken mixture evenly over the bottom slab of rolls. Layer the slices of provolone cheese on top of the chicken.
- Place the top slab of rolls over the cheese to complete the sliders.
- In a small bowl, mix the melted butter with the garlic powder and dried parsley.
- Brush the garlic butter mixture evenly over the tops of the rolls.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and continue to bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, until the tops are golden brown and the cheese is fully melted.
- Allow to cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving warm.
Notes
Spice Level: For a spicier slider, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the chicken mixture.
Make-Ahead: Assemble the sliders but wait to add the butter topping until just before baking.
Share Your Creations!
We are certain this will become one of your go-to recipes for any gathering. If you make these Buffalo Chicken Sliders, we’d love to see them! Snap a photo and share it on Pinterest. Your feedback and creations inspire our community of home cooks!
