Buffalo Chicken Sliders Recipe
If you’re looking to turn up the fun (and flavor!) at your next gathering, Buffalo Chicken Sliders are the unforgettable hit you need. These mini sandwiches combine tender, zesty shredded chicken smothered in buffalo sauce, cool creamy ranch or blue cheese, and gooey melted provolone all tucked into soft slider buns. The result? The kind of addictive finger food you’ll crave for game day, potlucks, and easy weeknight dinners alike!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe keeps things refreshingly straightforward with ingredients you likely have on hand, but don’t be fooled—each one brings its own magic, adding bold flavors, creamy richness, and crispy, buttery edges to every bite.
- Cooked shredded chicken: The ultimate time-saver, pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken makes these sliders quick and effortlessly juicy.
- Buffalo sauce: The heart of the dish, delivering that fiery tang and signature heat; choose your favorite brand or homemade for the perfect kick.
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing: Adds creaminess and cools the spice—pick your fave for a personalized punch.
- Slider buns: Small, soft rolls perfectly sized for sharing (or devouring by the handful!).
- Provolone or mozzarella cheese: Melts dreamily over the chicken, lending a mild, melty finish.
- Unsalted butter: Brushed on top for a golden, craveable crust and rich flavor.
- Garlic powder: Amplifies the butter topping with savory depth.
- Chopped fresh parsley (optional): A sprinkle of green for color and a hint of freshness.
- Extra buffalo sauce & dressing: Keep these on hand for those who like even more saucy goodness or for dipping!
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Sliders
Step 1: Prep the Chicken Mixture
Start by grabbing a medium bowl and combining your shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, and ranch or blue cheese dressing. Stir everything very well until every delightful strand of chicken is evenly coated. This is your saucy, flavorful base—don’t skimp on mixing; you want that buffalo zip in every bite!
Step 2: Layer the Sliders
Next, carefully slice your slider buns in half horizontally and place the bottom buns snugly into a baking dish. Spoon the tangy buffalo chicken onto the bottom buns, spreading evenly. Then, lay the halved cheese slices on top of the chicken, making sure you cover all those spicy nooks and crannies. Cap each mini sandwich with the top buns.
Step 3: Make the Buttery Topping
In a small bowl, mix the melted butter with garlic powder. Using a pastry brush, lovingly swipe the buttery mixture over the tops of the slider buns. This step transforms the sliders into golden, bakery-worthy bites with mega flavor payoff.
Step 4: Bake to Melty Perfection
Cover the dish with foil and bake in a 350°F preheated oven for 10 minutes. Remove the foil, then bake for another 5 to 7 minutes—watch closely! The tops should be golden brown, slightly crisp, and the cheese ooey gooey. That’s buffalo chicken sliders heaven!
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
If you’re feeling fancy, sprinkle the finished sliders with fresh parsley. Serve them warm, alongside little bowls of extra buffalo sauce and dressing for drizzling or dipping. Don’t be surprised when they disappear faster than you can say “seconds, please!”
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Sliders
Garnishes
Nothing takes these sliders over the top like a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a pop of color, or even a handful of thinly sliced green onions for a zip of flavor. For a true restaurant feel, try extra drizzle of buffalo sauce and a touch of crumbled blue cheese—your guests will be wowed before the first bite.
Side Dishes
Buffalo Chicken Sliders shine next to cooling sides like celery and carrot sticks or a tangy coleslaw. If you’re feeding a hungry crowd, classic potato wedges, sweet potato fries, or kettle-cooked chips add crunch and make the spread impossible to resist.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn sliders into a fun, interactive meal by serving them alongside an array of toppings: sliced pickles, jalapeños, and extra dressings let everyone build their perfect bite. For parties, try threading each slider with a toothpick and platter them on a rustic wooden board—irresistible and so easy for guests to grab.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any sliders left (lucky you!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh and tasty for up to three days—great for snacking or tossing in lunchboxes the next day.
Freezing
You can absolutely freeze Buffalo Chicken Sliders. Wrap them individually or as a group in foil, then place them in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep well for up to one month. For best results, freeze before baking or after cooling completely if already cooked.
Reheating
To reheat, pop sliders in the oven at 350°F until warmed through and the cheese is melty again—about 10 minutes from chilled or 20 from frozen, covered loosely with foil. For a quick fix, microwaving works too, but the buns might lose some crispness.
FAQs
Can I use leftover grilled or roasted chicken?
Absolutely! Leftover chicken of all kinds works beautifully here. Just shred or chop it and you’re golden—this is a super forgiving, flexible recipe for using up what you have.
What’s the best way to make these less spicy?
If you’re sensitive to heat (or cooking for kids), simply reduce the amount of buffalo sauce and use extra ranch or blue cheese. You can also choose a mild buffalo sauce or mix in a touch of honey to temper the spice.
Can I prepare Buffalo Chicken Sliders in advance?
Yes! Assemble the sliders up to the point of baking, cover tightly, and keep in the fridge for up to a day. Just bake them fresh when you’re ready to serve so they’re hot and melty.
What buns work best for Buffalo Chicken Sliders?
Soft, slightly sweet slider buns are perfect, but you can also use Hawaiian rolls, potato rolls, or even small brioche buns for a buttery, rich background to the spicy filling.
Can I add vegetables for extra crunch?
Certainly! A layer of coleslaw, crunchy lettuce, or sliced pickles adds a really pleasant texture contrast and helps cool down the heat, making every bite even more satisfying.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a crowd-pleaser that packs a punch without hours in the kitchen, look no further than Buffalo Chicken Sliders. They’re the kind of party food you’ll find yourself making on repeat—trust me, one taste and you’ll see why everyone falls in love with these spicy, cheesy, buttery bites. Give them a try and watch them disappear!
Print
Buffalo Chicken Sliders Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 sliders 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
These Buffalo Chicken Sliders are perfect for game day or any gathering. Spicy shredded chicken in a savory sauce, topped with cheese, and baked to perfection on mini buns.
Ingredients
For the Buffalo Chicken:
- 3 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
- 1/4 cup ranch or blue cheese dressing
For the Sliders:
- 12 slider buns
- 6 slices provolone or mozzarella cheese (halved)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
- Extra buffalo sauce and dressing for drizzling or dipping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix the chicken: In a bowl, combine shredded chicken with buffalo sauce and ranch/blue cheese dressing.
- Prepare the sliders: Place bottom halves of slider buns in a baking dish. Top with buffalo chicken and cheese, then cover with bun tops.
- Brush with butter: Mix melted butter and garlic powder, brush over buns.
- Bake: Cover with foil, bake for 10 mins, then uncover and bake for 5–7 mins until golden and cheese melts.
- Serve: Garnish with parsley, serve warm with extra sauce or dressing.
Notes
- Rotisserie chicken can be used for quicker preparation.
- Enhance with coleslaw or pickles for added texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
