BBQ Chicken Sliders

Name: BBQ Chicken Sliders with Pepper Jack Cheese
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 4 h 15 min
Total time: 4 h 30 min
Yield: 12 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: cooking spray; 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts; salt, to taste; black pepper, to taste; 1.5 cups BBQ sauce, divided; 1 (12-count) package slider rolls; 8 slices pepper jack cheese; 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced; 4 tbsp butter; 1 tsp dried parsley flakes; 1/2 tsp garlic salt

These BBQ chicken sliders combine slow-cooked shredded chicken with spicy pepper jack cheese, caramelized red onion, and garlic butter for a crowd-pleasing meal that's ready in under two hours.

🌍American 🏷️Bbq chicken 🏷️Sliders 🏷️Pulled chicken 🏷️Pepper jack cheese Game-day

🏷️

🏷️Appetizer

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TikTok

Total

4h 30m

Servings

12

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$22–$36

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

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Ingredients

cooking spray
2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
salt, to taste
black pepper, to taste
1.5 cups BBQ sauce, divided
1 (12-count) package slider rolls
8 slices pepper jack cheese
1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
4 tbsp butter
1 tsp dried parsley flakes
1/2 tsp garlic salt

11 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Spray the inside of a slow cooker with cooking spray. Place the chicken breasts inside.
2
Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then pour about 1 cup of BBQ sauce over the top.
3
Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours.
4
Once cooked, shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker. A hand mixer makes this quick and easy.
5
Stir in the remaining 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce, or more to your liking, until the shredded chicken is well coated.
6
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
7
Slice the sheet of slider rolls in half horizontally and place the bottom half on the prepared baking sheet.
8
Layer the slices of pepper jack cheese evenly over the bottom buns.
9
Spread the shredded BBQ chicken mixture over the cheese.
10
Top the chicken with thinly sliced red onion.
11
Place the top half of the slider rolls on top to complete the sandwiches.
12
In a small bowl, melt the butter. Stir in the dried parsley flakes and garlic salt.
13
Brush the garlic butter mixture evenly over the tops of the sliders.
14
Cover the baking sheet with another piece of foil and bake for 10 minutes.
15
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the cheese is melted.
16
Slice into individual sliders and serve immediately.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Don't skip the garlic butter topping—it adds savory depth and promotes even browning during baking.
Slice red onion as thin as possible so it softens and melds into the filling during baking.
Watch the final 3–5 minutes of baking to catch the moment the cheese melts fully and rolls turn golden without burning.
Reserve extra BBQ sauce on the side for dipping; 1.5 cups divided between filling and topping prevents soggy buns.

Substitutions

Pepper jack cheese → sharp cheddar or smoked gouda (reduces heat; same quantity)
Slider rolls → small brioche buns or dinner rolls (adjust bake time ±2 minutes)
Red onion → caramelized yellow onion or pickled red onion (adds sweetness or acidity respectively)

Storage & make-ahead

Store cooled sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat unwrapped at 350°F for 10 minutes or until heated through.

Common Questions

Can I make BBQ chicken sliders ahead of time?

Yes. Assemble sliders up to 8 hours ahead, wrap tightly in foil, refrigerate, then bake when ready. Add 5–10 minutes to baking time if starting from cold.