Name: Cheesy Garlic Pesto Chicken Sliders Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 12 slider buns; 3 cups cooked shredded chicken; ½ cup prepared basil pesto; 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese; ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese; ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)

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If you love bite-sized comfort food packed with bold flavor, then the Cheesy Garlic Pesto Chicken Sliders Recipe is about to be your new obsession. Imagine tender shredded chicken tossed in aromatic basil pesto, layered with ooey-gooey mozzarella, all tucked inside soft slider buns and finished with a buttery, garlicky Parmesan crust. These sliders are incredibly easy to make, but the flavors taste like you spent hours in the kitchen. They’re absolutely perfect for parties, family dinners, or any time you crave something seriously satisfying with an Italian twist!

Cheesy Garlic Pesto Chicken Sliders Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Cheesy Garlic Pesto Chicken Sliders Recipe shines thanks to a handful of ingredients that each play a big role in bringing irresistible flavors and textures to every bite. Every component works together perfectly, from the pillowy slider buns to the fresh, vibrant pesto.

Slider buns: These mini buns soak up all that cheesy, buttery goodness and hold everything together in perfect bite-sized form.
Cooked shredded chicken: Rotisserie chicken is a lifesaver here, offering juicy, tender texture and soaking up the flavors of the pesto beautifully.
Prepared basil pesto: This adds a fresh, herby, and slightly nutty flavor that infuses the sliders with Italian vibes.
Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts to stretchy, creamy perfection and adds a subtle richness to every layer.
Grated Parmesan cheese: Brings sharp, salty flavor and extra umami to the buttery topping.
Unsalted butter, melted: Helps the buns brown while keeping them tender and infuses the sliders with extra flavor.
Minced garlic: Provides punchy aromatics that meld with the buttery topping for addictive taste.
Italian seasoning: Adds depth and a hint of earthiness to the topping.
Chopped fresh parsley (optional): Just a sprinkle on top for color and a touch of freshness.

How to Make Cheesy Garlic Pesto Chicken Sliders Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Baking Dish and Buns

Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to keep cleanup easy and prevent sticking. Without separating the bottoms or tops, carefully slice your slider buns in half horizontally. Arrange the bottom halves of the buns in the prepared dish, creating a cozy base for all the cheesy, garlicky filling to come.

Step 2: Make the Chicken-Pesto Filling

In a large bowl, mix your shredded cooked chicken with the basil pesto until every piece is evenly coated and deeply flavorful. This herby mixture is what gives the Cheesy Garlic Pesto Chicken Sliders Recipe its crave-worthy character. Spread the chicken-pesto mixture evenly over the buns in the baking dish.

Step 3: Add the Cheesy Layers

Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the chicken layer, making sure every corner is covered. Mozzarella will melt into every nook, binding the sliders together in irresistible cheesy strands. Now, gently place the top halves of the slider buns over the filling, creating a neatly stacked sandwich base.

Step 4: Brush with Buttery Garlic Parmesan Topping

In a small bowl, stir together the melted butter, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and grated Parmesan cheese. Brush this savory mixture generously over the tops of the buns—don’t be shy! This step is the secret that makes the Cheesy Garlic Pesto Chicken Sliders Recipe so aromatic, flavorful, and downright irresistible.

Step 5: Bake Until Melty and Golden

Cover the dish loosely with foil and pop it in the oven for 15 minutes. This lets the cheese melt without over-browning the buns. Remove the foil and bake for an extra five minutes, so the tops become beautifully golden and a bit crispy. The aroma wafting from your oven at this point will have everyone waiting by the kitchen!

Step 6: Garnish and Enjoy

If you’re feeling fancy, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the bubbly sliders for a pop of color and an extra layer of freshness. Serve warm so you get all that melty, gooey, garlicky goodness in every bite.

How to Serve Cheesy Garlic Pesto Chicken Sliders Recipe

Garnishes

Adding a sprinkle of fresh parsley over the top right before serving brings a lovely touch of color and lightness that balances the richness of the cheese and buttery garlic topping. For added flavor and a gorgeous finish, you can also add a little extra grated Parmesan or a few toasted pine nuts.

Side Dishes

The Cheesy Garlic Pesto Chicken Sliders Recipe pairs wonderfully with crisp salads, oven-roasted vegetables, or a pile of kettle chips for crunch. A simple mixed green salad with tomatoes and a zippy vinaigrette is especially refreshing alongside these cheesy sliders. For fun gatherings, add a platter of marinated olives or a fresh tomato-cucumber salad to round out the meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties or game day, arrange the sliders on a wooden board and scatter fresh basil leaves and cherry tomatoes around. If you’re serving them as a main dish for dinner, present a stack of sliders on a big platter with small bowls of extra pesto or marinara for dipping. For a lunchbox twist, wrap individual sliders and pack them with fresh fruit or veggie sticks.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Let leftovers cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The sliders will stay delicious and moist for up to 3 days, making them perfect for a quick and satisfying lunch or dinner reheat.

Freezing

To freeze the Cheesy Garlic Pesto Chicken Sliders Recipe, assemble the sliders up to the pre-baking stage, then wrap the entire baking dish tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Pop it in the freezer for up to a month. When you’re ready to bake, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and bake as the recipe directs.

Reheating

For best results, reheat the sliders in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes to restore that fresh-from-the-oven crispness. You can also use a toaster oven or air fryer for a few minutes if you’re warming up just one or two sliders. The microwave will work in a pinch, but the buns may be softer rather than crisp.

FAQs

Can I use rotisserie chicken for this recipe?

Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken is a time-saving shortcut and ensures the meat is tender and flavorful. Just shred it and toss with your pesto for incredible results with minimal effort.

What kind of pesto works best?

Classic basil pesto brings the fresh, herby flavor that makes this dish shine, but feel free to experiment with sun-dried tomato or spinach pesto for a fun twist. Homemade or store-bought both work perfectly in the Cheesy Garlic Pesto Chicken Sliders Recipe.

Can I make this vegetarian?

Definitely! Swap the chicken for cooked, shredded jackfruit or roasted veggies for a hearty vegetarian version that still delivers big flavors and gooey cheese pull.

How do I stop the buns from getting soggy?

Lightly toasting the bottoms of the buns in the oven for a few minutes before assembling can help, but the buttery topping and cheese layer generally prevent sogginess. Be sure not to oversaturate the chicken with too much pesto for best results.

Can I double the Cheesy Garlic Pesto Chicken Sliders Recipe for a crowd?

Absolutely! Simply use a larger baking dish or two 9×13-inch pans, and prep the sliders in batches. This is one of those recipes everyone will ask you for after the party!

Final Thoughts

There’s just something magical about pulling a tray of these warm, cheesy, garlicky bites from the oven and sharing them with your favorite people. I hope you’re inspired to make this Cheesy Garlic Pesto Chicken Sliders Recipe and let it become a staple in your kitchen for parties, potlucks, or those nights when only the coziest comfort food will do!

Cheesy Garlic Pesto Chicken Sliders Recipe

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4.7 from 25 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 12 sliders 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

These Cheesy Garlic Pesto Chicken Sliders are a delicious combination of flavors, featuring tender shredded chicken coated in basil pesto, topped with gooey mozzarella cheese, and baked to perfection on slider buns.

Ingredients

Scale

Slider Buns:

12 slider buns

Shredded Chicken Mixture:

3 cups cooked shredded chicken
½ cup prepared basil pesto

Cheese Blend:

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Garlic Butter Topping:

¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Prepare Sliders: Slice buns in half, place bottoms in dish. Mix chicken with pesto, spread over buns, add cheese, and cover with bun tops.
Make Garlic Butter: Mix melted butter, garlic, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan. Brush over buns.
Bake: Cover with foil, bake for 15 minutes, uncover and bake 5 more minutes until golden.
Serve: Garnish with parsley and serve warm.