There's something irresistibly cozy about a perfectly juicy slider. This Buffalo Chicken Slider Recipe hits all the best notes: tender shredded chicken, bold buffalo heat, creamy ranch coolness, and just the right melt of cheese—all tucked into soft, sweet Hawaiian rolls. Trust me, it’s a total crowd-pleaser that comes together in a snap!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This Buffalo Chicken Slider Recipe has become a staple in my kitchen whenever I want something quick, comforting, and crowd-friendly. The spicy, tangy sauce paired with soft Hawaiian buns is like the perfect little party on your plate.
- Super quick prep: You’ll have these ready in about 20 minutes, making them ideal for last-minute guests or game day.
- Flavor-packed: The garlic powder and Italian seasoning add subtle layers that make the sliders taste way more complex than their simplicity suggests.
- Easy to customize: Whether you prefer more heat, extra cheese, or a ranch swap, you can easily tweak this recipe to match your mood.
- Shareable fun: These sliders are perfect for parties, potlucks, or a cozy dinner with friends—you really can’t go wrong.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient here has a purpose and working together, they create that famous Buffalo slider magic. Plus, a quick shopping tip: grab shredded rotisserie chicken if you want to speed things up even more!
- Hawaiian sweet dinner rolls: Their soft, slightly sweet flavor balances the spicy buffalo sauce perfectly and keeps every bite fluffy.
- Shredded chicken breast: A lean protein that soaks up the sauce beautifully without overwhelming the slider.
- Hot sauce: I always reach for Frank’s RedHot—it’s classic, tangy, and not too overpowering.
- Ranch dressing: Greek-yogurt based ranch adds creamy tang and cools down the heat without weighing the slider down.
- Garlic powder: Just a touch adds depth and a savory kick.
- Shredded mozzarella (or provolone, Havarti): Melts like a dream, offering gooey richness that’s the ultimate comfort food texture.
- Unsalted butter: Brushed on top with Italian seasoning to give the buns a golden, flavorful crust.
- Italian seasoning: This little herb blend lifts the whole slider with hints of oregano, basil, and thyme.
Make It Your Way
I love mixing it up depending on my mood. Sometimes I’ll swap ranch for blue cheese dressing for that tangy punch, or add celery slices for crunch. Feel free to personalize these sliders so they suit your taste perfectly.
- Blue cheese twist: I swapped ranch for blue cheese dressing once at a party, and it was an instant hit with guests who love classic Buffalo wing vibes.
- Extra heat: Add a pinch of cayenne or jalapeño slices if you like it spicy—but watch out, the heat sneaks up fast!
- Cheese upgrade: Adding pepper jack or sharp cheddar layers gives a stronger flavor punch that's fantastic for cheese lovers.
- Make it vegetarian: Replace shredded chicken with crispy cauliflower bites tossed in Buffalo sauce for a fun meat-free version.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Buffalo Chicken Slider Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Buns
I always start by placing a rack in the center of the oven and preheating it to 375°F. Then, without separating the buns completely, slice them horizontally so you get one flat bottom piece to hold all the filling. Lining a baking sheet with parchment paper makes clean-up effortless.
Step 2: Mix the Buffalo Chicken Filling
In a mixing bowl, combine shredded chicken, hot sauce, ranch dressing, and garlic powder. I like to stir this together gently so every bit of chicken gets coated but still holds some texture—this combo brings the perfect balance of heat and creaminess.
Step 3: Assemble & Add Cheese
Scatter half of your shredded cheese over the bottom buns before spooning the buffalo chicken filling evenly atop. Then sprinkle the remaining cheese right over the chicken. This layering ensures plenty of melty goodness in every bite.
Step 4: Brush the Tops & Bake
Place the tops of the buns back on, then mix melted butter with Italian seasoning. Brush this generously over the top buns to get a beautiful golden crust. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the cheese bubbles and the tops are slightly toasted. Let them cool a few minutes before slicing apart with a serrated knife—it helps keep everything neatly in place.
Top Tip
Having made these sliders a dozen times, I’ve learned a few tricks to make sure they come out perfect every time. These tips will save you from common pitfalls and help you impress your guests effortlessly.
- Don’t slice buns too early: Cutting the buns just before assembling keeps them fresh and prevents drying out.
- Brush butter generously: That Italian-seasoned butter on top not only browns beautifully but also adds a fragrant, savory note that's easy to overlook.
- Use a serrated knife: When slicing into the baked sliders, a serrated knife preserves the fluffiness of the buns and keeps the filling intact.
- Adjust heat to your liking: Feel free to start with less hot sauce and add more—Buffalo spice isn’t always predictable and you want a flavor you enjoy.
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Slider Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping these sliders with freshly chopped celery for a refreshing crunch and extra ranch or blue cheese dressing on the side for dipping. If you’re feeling adventurous, a sprinkle of chopped scallions or crispy fried onions adds a nice touch too.
Side Dishes
These sliders pair wonderfully with classic sides like carrot sticks, celery, and crunchy coleslaw. For a heartier spread, consider baked sweet potato fries or a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette to cut through the richness.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I sometimes arrange these sliders on a large wooden board surrounded by little bowls of ranch, blue cheese, and extra hot sauce. Adding some colorful veggie sticks makes the spread look festive and inviting—plus, it makes it easy for guests to help themselves.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I pop leftover sliders into an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days. They hold up well, but I recommend reheating gently so the buns don’t dry out too much.
Freezing
These sliders freeze beautifully! I wrap individual sliders tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. When I’m ready to eat, I thaw them overnight in the fridge and then reheat, which helps keep that soft bun texture intact.
Reheating
To reheat, I like to unwrap the sliders and bake them uncovered at 350°F for about 10 minutes until warmed through and the cheese gets melty again. This method refreshes the sliders better than microwaving, which can lead to soggy buns.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! You can assemble the sliders a few hours in advance and keep them covered in the refrigerator—just add the butter topping and bake right before serving for best results.
No worries! Rotisserie chicken works like a charm and saves tons of time. Just shred it yourself or buy pre-shredded chicken from many grocery stores.
You absolutely can. While Hawaiian rolls are best for their sweet softness that balances the heat, slider buns or even small brioche buns will work well too depending on what you have.
They have a moderate kick from the Buffalo sauce, but you can adjust the heat by using less hot sauce or adding more for a fiery punch—tailor to your preference!
Final Thoughts
This Buffalo Chicken Slider Recipe has been a lifesaver for quick dinners and fun gatherings. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do—you'll love how it's simple, satisfying, and bursting with that classic Buffalo flavor. Once you try it, I bet it’ll become one of your go-to recipes too. Happy cooking!
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Buffalo Chicken Slider Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 12 sliders
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
These Buffalo Chicken Sliders are perfect for game day or a quick snack, featuring juicy shredded chicken tossed in spicy Buffalo sauce, creamy ranch dressing, and melty mozzarella cheese served on sweet Hawaiian rolls.
Ingredients
Slider Components
- 1 (12-ounce) package Hawaiian sweet dinner rolls
- 3 cups shredded chicken breast
- ¾ cup hot sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot or Frank's Buffalo)
- ¼ cup ranch dressing (Greek-yogurt based recommended)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
Topping
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Place a rack in the center of your oven and preheat it to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Prepare Buns: Without separating the buns on their sides, slice the slider buns horizontally in half. Place the bottom halves together in the middle of the prepared baking sheet.
- Make Buffalo Chicken Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine shredded chicken, Buffalo hot sauce, ranch dressing, and garlic powder, mixing well to ensure all the chicken is coated evenly.
- Assemble Sliders: Sprinkle a small handful of shredded mozzarella cheese on the bottom buns, then evenly distribute the Buffalo chicken mixture over the cheese. Top with the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Add Top Buns and Butter Mixture: Place the top halves of the buns over the chicken layers. In a small bowl, mix melted butter with Italian seasoning and brush this mixture generously over the tops of the buns.
- Bake: Place the sliders in the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the cheese melts and the tops of the buns turn golden brown.
- Serve: Remove from the oven, transfer to a cutting board, and let cool for a few minutes. Carefully slice the sliders apart with a serrated knife and serve warm.
Notes
- Use ranch dressing with Greek yogurt for a healthier alternative.
- Hawaiian rolls provide a perfect balance of sweetness to complement the spicy Buffalo chicken.
- For extra heat, add more hot sauce or sprinkle red pepper flakes inside the sliders.
- These sliders can be pre-assembled and stored in the refrigerator before baking for convenience.
- Make sure to slice the buns without separating them completely to keep the sliders intact during assembly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 254 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 0.1 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
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