BBQ Chicken Sliders

Name: BBQ Chicken Sliders
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 16 ounce package Hawaiian rolls ((12 rolls)); 1 pound sliced deli chicken; 6 slices sharp cheddar cheese; 3/4 cup BBQ sauce; 1 cup French’s fried onions; 4 Tablespoons butter, melted; 1 Tablespoon maple syrup; 2 teaspoons minced dried onion; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon poppy seeds; ½ Tablespoon fresh minced parsley (for garnish (or dried parsley - optional))

PIN RECIPE RECIPE CARD EMAIL RECIPE

These BBQ Chicken Sliders are made with fluffy Hawaiian rolls, sliced deli chicken smothered in bbq sauce, crunchy fried onions, cheese and seasonings!

A 35-MINUTE DINNER RECIPE

BBQ Chicken Sliders are the perfect handheld sandwich to have in your “quick dinner arsenal”. I love how easy they are to customize. You can swap out ingredients, use more or less of things to create the ultimate little sandwiches that are perfect for game days, parties, or a fun family dinner. They’re great for feeding a hungry group yet are simple enough to whip up when you just want some classic BBQ flavors without a whole bunch of hassle.

A small stack of BBQ Chicken Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Where do I find Fried Onions in the grocery store?

So, there are a couple places stores tend to stash these things. First, try checking the condiment and canned vegetable aisles. You can usually find them near the canned veggies (think holiday cooking for many families) or alongside condiments like pickles and olives. Fried onions are often packaged in canisters or bags and can be placed here with other toppings for recipes. If you can’t find them there, check the baking aisle. Some stores stock fried onions near ingredients used in casseroles, stuffing, and toppings for holiday meals and sometimes those can be found in the baking or seasonal aisles. And, last but not least, if you still haven’t found these things, check the produce area. I know, it sounds crazy but, I’ve seen some stores place fried onions near the salad toppings like croutons, bacon bits, and salad dressings- especially during the holiday season.
If you’re really having trouble finding them, asking a store employee is always a good option too!

Do I have to use deli chicken slices?

No, this is a great recipe to use up any extra leftover chicken you have on hand. Any sliced, cooked chicken will work, even rotisserie chicken.

Can I use a different cheese option?

Of course, this recipe can be changed to better suit your tastebuds and it can be done so easily. Swap out the cheddar cheese for other cheese slices that you prefer. Mozzarella cheese or provolone would be good alternatives.

What if I don’t have Hawaiian rolls?

No problem! It’ll change the flavor profile a bit, but any slider rolls will work for this recipe if you are in a pinch.

How many servings does this make?

This recipe makes 12 sliders. I consider a serving 2 sliders, so it makes 6 servings. If you want to serve 1 slider per person with other sides, apps, etc. then you could get 12 servings out of this.

What do I do with leftovers sliders?

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator.

A wooden spatula holding a BBQ Chicken Slider.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)

Hawaiian rolls
sliced deli chicken – see the FAQ section for other options.
sharp cheddar cheese
BBQ sauce – use whatever is your favorite. I usually go with Sweet Baby Rays.
French’s fried onions– if you don’t care for fried onions, leave them out. Or, try using red onions instead. I suggested French’s Fried Onions as that’s the most common brand that I have seen and most people recognize it. But, if you have a different brand that will work, please feel free to use it.
butter – you can use salted or unsalted.
maple syrup – don’t have any syrup or don’t care for it? Leave it out! Or try using brown sugar in its place.
minced dried onion
smoked paprika
poppy seeds – if you don’t have these, they are totally optional. You don’t have to go out and buy them.
fresh minced parsley – for optional garnish. You could use dried parsley instead.

Hawaiian rolls, smoked paprika, maple syrup, butter, poppy seeds, fried onions, parsley, bbq sauce, deli chicken, cheddar cheese sauce, and dried minced onions.

HOW TO MAKE BBQ CHICKEN SLIDERS

Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Spray the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Slice the Hawaiian rolls in half lengthwise and place the bottom half into the baking dish. Add a layer of the sliced deli chicken on the bottom half of the rolls.

Sliced Hawaiian rolls in a baking dish and roll bottoms with slices of deli chicken on top of the rolls in a dish.

Then layer on the sliced cheddar cheese. Sprinkle the French’s fried onions on top of the cheese layer.

Cheddar cheese over meat and bottom half of a Hawaiian roll and fried onions on top of that.

Then evenly spread (as best as possible) the BBQ sauce on top. I just pour it over. Place the top half of the rolls layer onto the sliders.

BBQ sauce over fried onions, cheese, chicken, and bread and the tops of slider rolls being added to the slider sandwiches in a casserole dish.

In a bowl, add the melted butter, maple syrup, dried onion, paprika and poppy seeds. Stir together well. With a pastry brush, brush the mixture across the tops of the slider buns. Use all of the butter mixture. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for about 20 minutes (or until the sliders are warmed through and the cheese is melted). Remove the foil and bake sliders for about another 5 minutes, until the tops are golden brown. Optional: when done sprinkle the tops with the minced parsley then slice and serve!