Whether you present them as a game day snack or a substantial family meal, these Pulled BBQ Chicken Sliders are sure to impress! With sweet and smoky shredded BBQ chicken layered with gooey cheddar, thinly sliced onions, and baked to crispy perfection on garlic butter Hawaiian rolls, these sliders are packed with flavor!
Pulled BBQ Chicken Sliders – The SIMPLE Way!
Let’s be honest: any dish featuring barbecue sauce is destined to be a success. That delightful blend of sweet, tangy, and smoky flavors is simply irresistible, whether it’s found in our Crockpot BBQ Chicken, Barbecue Chicken Pizza, BBQ Chicken Flautas, or BBQ Brisket Tacos. This recipe for Pulled BBQ Chicken Sliders is no different!
Due to their compact size, BBQ chicken sliders are ideal for potlucks and gatherings—after all, what could be better than a platter of sliders on game day? Additionally, your kids will be excited when you serve them for dinner too. Sliders are easier for little ones to manage, and this recipe is straightforward enough for the busiest weeknights.
Pair your Pulled BBQ Chicken Sliders with a quick side dish, and you’ll have dinner ready in no time!
Why I ADMIRE this recipe!
- Weeknight Hero – With just a handful of basic ingredients and minimal prep, these Pulled BBQ Chicken Sliders are fast and easy.
- Fun for Gatherings – No one can refuse sliders at a party! With smoky BBQ sauce, cheddar cheese, and sweet Hawaiian rolls, these sliders won’t last long. (You might even want to prepare a few extras!)
- Customizable – There are countless ways to make this recipe unique. I’ll share some of my favorite variations below, but feel free to add your own twist!
- Family-Friendly – Both kids and adults adore barbecue chicken—and it’s even better when it’s encased in toasty Hawaiian rolls brushed with garlic butter!
What to Pair with Pulled BBQ Chicken Sliders
Given that this dish boasts classic barbecue flavors, it pairs wonderfully with many beloved All-American side dishes. You have the option of traditional sides or some healthier alternatives to keep things light.
Side Dish Suggestions
Select one or more sides to create a nutritious, well-rounded meal.
Recipe Highlights
This Pulled BBQ Chicken Sliders recipe is as uncomplicated as promised! Just a few moments for a family-friendly feast.
In this section, I’ll share some tips and tricks I employ to achieve the best and most delicious results when making BBQ Chicken Sliders.
Don’t forget to scroll to the bottom for the COMPLETE recipe card.
Ingredients + Alternatives
- Hawaiian rolls – The ultimate choice! Any type of dinner roll will work, but Hawaiian rolls complement the flavors perfectly.
- Shredded chicken – You can use rotisserie chicken, shred our Baked Chicken Breast, or repurpose leftovers from our easy Crockpot BBQ Chicken.
- Barbecue sauce – Either store-bought or homemade BBQ sauce will work.
- Red onion
- Cheddar cheese – I prefer it sharp.
For the glaze
- Butter
- Garlic salt – If using salted butter, garlic powder can be substituted.
Garnish (optional)
Recipe Strategies
- Choose a barbecue sauce you enjoy – It’s the primary flavor in these Pulled BBQ Chicken Sliders, so select a great one! This isn’t the best moment to experiment with a new brand or flavor.
- Slice the onion very thin – A mandoline slicer works well for shaving the red onion into ultra-thin slices, providing flavor without overwhelming the sliders or adding excessive crunch.
- Or soak the onion – If you’re not fond of onions, soaking the slices in ice-cold water for 30 minutes can reduce their pungency. Ensure they are dried well before adding them to the sliders.
- Keep the rolls together for assembly, but cut them before baking – Assembling sliders with the entire “sheet” of rolls intact makes it easier, but separating them before baking allows the flavorful garlic butter glaze to seep in. (Plus, you won’t have to pull them apart before serving — no mess!)
Recipe Time-Savers
If you’re pressed for time but need to make this recipe, here are a few suggestions to speed up the process!
- Use leftover barbecue chicken – Prepare barbecue chicken for dinner the night before and use the leftovers for Pulled BBQ Chicken Sliders. Two meals in one!
- Buy pre-sliced onion – Your local grocery store’s salad bar likely offers pre-sliced onion, simplifying your prep time.
- Use shredded chicken – Some stores sell already-shredded rotisserie chicken; you might also find packaged BBQ pulled chicken in the refrigerated section, eliminating the need to add barbecue sauce.
Recipe Variations
If you love this recipe as much as we do and want to switch things up, these simple tips will do the trick!
- Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Sliders – Add pineapple rings before layering the cheese.
- BBQ Pork Sliders – Replace the shredded chicken with Zesty Crock Pot BBQ Pulled Pork.
- BBQ Beef Sliders – Brown ground beef in a skillet, then mix in the BBQ sauce. Use this in place of the chicken.
- BBQ Meatball Sliders – Prepare Honey BBQ Meatballs and use them as the filling for your sliders.
Freezer Meal Instructions
Turning this Pulled BBQ Chicken Sliders recipe into a freezer meal is a breeze! Follow these steps to store it in the freezer for up to 6 months.
- Assemble the sliders as directed.
- Wrap them securely in a baking dish and freeze.
- Thaw in the refrigerator, then bake according to the recipe instructions.
Leftover Pulled BBQ Chicken Sliders
If you have any leftovers from your Pulled BBQ Chicken Sliders, you’re in for a treat! They store and reheat nicely and can be the base for another delightful dish.
To store leftovers, separate into meal-sized portions, place them in an airtight container, and keep them:
- in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
- in the freezer for up to a month
More Chicken Recipes
You can find all my chicken recipes here, or explore a few favorites highlighted by our readers below.
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BBQ Chicken Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls
These simple Pulled BBQ Chicken Sliders combine shredded BBQ chicken with cheddar cheese, red onions, and garlic butter-infused Hawaiian rolls. They’re incredibly delicious and require minimal preparation!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Serves:6
Hover over “serves” value to reveal recipe scaler
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350˚F.
Combine the shredded chicken with barbecue sauce and set aside.
Mix the melted butter with garlic salt and set it aside as well.
Slice the rolls in half horizontally and place the bottom halves in a baking dish. Evenly distribute the BBQ chicken over the rolls. Top with slices of onion and cheese. Replace the tops of the rolls.
Slice between the sandwiches with a sharp knife. Brush the garlic butter mixture over the tops of the rolls, allowing it to seep between them.
Bake for 20-30 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Optionally, garnish with cilantro before serving warm.
Nutrition Information:
Serving: 2 sliders
Calories: 491 kcal (25%)
Carbohydrates: 50 g (17%)
Protein: 28 g (56%)
Fat: 19 g (29%)
Saturated Fat: 9 g (56%)
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g
Monounsaturated Fat: 4 g
Trans Fat: 0.2 g
Cholesterol: 101 mg (34%)
Sodium: 1059 mg (46%)
Potassium: 300 mg (9%)
Fiber: 1 g (4%)
Sugar: 24 g (27%)
Vitamin A: 442 IU (9%)
Vitamin C: 1 mg (1%)
Calcium: 161 mg (16%)
Iron: 1 mg (6%)
(Nutrition information is an estimate and may change based on cooking methods and specific brands of ingredients.)
