Barbecue Chicken Sliders

Name: Barbecue Chicken Sliders with Melted Cheese
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 9 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded; 1 cup barbecue sauce; 9 slider buns; 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced; 1.5 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese; 1/4 cup butter, melted; 1 tbsp honey; Sweet pickle slices, for garnish

Barbecue chicken sliders combine shredded chicken in tangy BBQ sauce with melted Colby Jack cheese and fresh red onion on soft slider buns, baked until golden and crispy on top.

🌍American 🏷️Sliders 🏷️Bbq chicken 🏷️Chicken sliders 🏷️Cheesy Game-day

🏷️

🏷️Appetizer

-0:00

dinnerin321onTikTok

Total

35 min

Servings

9

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$17–$28

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok · by dinnerin321

-0:00

dinnerin321onTikTok

Ingredients

2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
1 cup barbecue sauce
9 slider buns
1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
1.5 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 tbsp honey
Sweet pickle slices, for garnishoptional

8 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a mixing bowl, combine the shredded cooked chicken and your favorite barbecue sauce. Mix until the chicken is evenly coated.
3
Separate the slider buns and place the bottom halves in a 9x9 inch baking dish.
4
Spoon the barbecue chicken mixture evenly over the bottom buns.
5
Top the chicken with thinly sliced red onion, followed by the shredded Colby Jack cheese.
6
Place the top halves of the slider buns on top.
7
In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter and honey.
8
Brush the honey butter mixture evenly over the tops of the buns.
9
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.
10
Bake for 20 minutes.
11
Uncover the dish and bake for another 5-10 minutes, or until the buns are toasted and the cheese is fully melted.
12
Garnish with sweet pickle slices on toothpicks before serving, if desired.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Melt the butter with honey and brush it on the top of the buns before baking for a glossy, caramelized finish.
Drain excess liquid from the shredded chicken before mixing it with BBQ sauce to prevent soggy sliders.
Layer ingredients in order—BBQ chicken, cheese, onion—so the cheese melts directly onto the chicken and anchors the toppings.
Bake just until cheese is fully melted and bun edges turn golden; overbaking dries out the buns.

Substitutions

Barbecue sauce → spicy sriracha mayo or buffalo sauce (changes flavor profile to spicy)
Colby Jack cheese → sharp cheddar or smoked gouda (adjusts sharpness and smoke flavor)
Red onion → thinly sliced white onion or caramelized onion (changes bite and sweetness)
Sweet pickle slices → jalapeño slices or dill pickle chips (adds heat or tanginess)

Storage & make-ahead

Store leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 8–10 minutes until heated through.

Common Questions

Can I make these sliders ahead of time?

Yes. Assemble them up to 4 hours ahead, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. Bake just before serving, adding 2–3 minutes to the bake time.

What type of chicken works best?

Use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken breast for the fastest option. Shred it finely so it distributes evenly.

Can I substitute the Colby Jack cheese?

Yes. Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a cheese blend work well. Avoid low-moisture cheeses that don't melt smoothly.

How do I prevent the buns from getting soggy?

Toast the slider buns lightly before assembling, or butter and toast them during the last 1–2 minutes of baking.

Can I double this recipe?

Yes. Double all ingredients and bake in two pans side by side, or use a larger baking dish. Check for doneness at the original time; add 2–3 minutes if needed.