Whether enjoyed as a game day snack or a hearty family meal, these Pulled BBQ Chicken Sliders are sure to please everyone! Tender, sweet, and smoky shredded BBQ chicken is complemented with gooey cheddar cheese, thinly sliced onions, and baked to crispy perfection on garlic butter brushed Hawaiian rolls. These sliders pack in ALL the flavor and more!
Pulled BBQ Chicken Sliders – The SIMPLE Way!
Let’s admit it: any dish featuring barbecue sauce is bound to be popular. The sweet, tangy, and smoky profile 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 exception!
These small sliders are perfect for potlucks and social gatherings—who can resist a platter of sliders on game day?—but they’re also a favorite for a family dinner. Their bite-sized format makes them easier for younger children to enjoy, and this recipe is simple enough to whip up even on the busiest of weeknights.
Pair your Pulled BBQ Chicken Sliders with an easy side dish, and you’ll have a quick dinner ready in no time!
What I LOVE about this recipe!
- Quick Weeknight Meal – With just a handful of ingredients and minimal preparation, these Pulled BBQ Chicken Sliders come together swiftly.
- Party Favorites – Sliders are always a crowd-pleaser at gatherings! With smoky BBQ sauce, cheddar, and sweet Hawaiian rolls, these sliders will be gone in a flash. (You might want to prepare a little extra!)
- Versatile – There are countless ways to customize this recipe. I’ll share some of my favorite variations below, but feel free to make it your own!
- Family-Friendly – BBQ chicken is a hit with kids and adults alike—and it’s even more delightful nestled in warm Hawaiian rolls brushed with garlic butter!
Suggested Pairings for Pulled BBQ Chicken Sliders
This dish boasts the familiar tastes of barbecue, making it a great match for various classic American side dishes. You can opt for traditional sides or choose healthier options for a lighter meal.
Side Dish Ideas
Select one or several sides to round out your meal.
Recipe Highlights
This Pulled BBQ Chicken Sliders recipe lives up to its promise of being uncomplicated! Just a few minutes will yield a family-friendly meal.
In this section, I’ll provide some tips and tricks to ensure your BBQ Chicken Sliders are as delicious as possible.
Don’t forget to scroll to the end for the COMPLETE recipe card!
Ingredients + Alternatives
- Hawaiian rolls – The perfect choice! Any type of dinner roll can work, but Hawaiian rolls complement this recipe beautifully.
- Shredded chicken – You can use rotisserie chicken, shred some of our Baked Chicken Breast, or utilize leftovers from our easy Crockpot BBQ Chicken.
- Barbecue sauce – Either store-bought or homemade BBQ sauce will do.
- Red onion
- Cheddar cheese – I recommend sharp cheddar.
For the glaze
- Butter
- Garlic salt – If using salted butter, garlic powder can be substituted.
Garnish (optional)
Helpful Recipe Tips
- Choose a barbecue sauce you love – Since it’s the primary flavor in these Pulled BBQ Chicken Sliders, opt for a brand you enjoy! This isn’t the time to experiment with unfamiliar varieties.
- Slice the onion very thinly – A mandoline slicer can help create super thin slices of red onion, adding flavor without overwhelming the sliders or contributing excessive crunch.
- Soak the onion if needed – If you’re not a big fan of raw onion, soak the onion slices in ice-cold water for half an hour to tone down their sharpness. Be sure to dry well before using them in the sliders.
- Keep the rolls assembled for easier prep, but cut before baking – It’s simpler to assemble the sliders when the rolls are still attached, but separating them prior to baking allows the delicious garlic butter glaze to seep down the sides, enhancing flavor throughout. (And it prevents a mess when serving!)
Time-Saving Tips
If you’re looking to prepare this recipe but are pressed for time, consider these shortcuts to streamline your cooking process!
- Use leftover BBQ chicken – Make barbecue chicken for dinner the previous night and repurpose the leftovers for Pulled BBQ Chicken Sliders. Two meals in one!
- Purchase pre-sliced onion – Many grocery stores offer pre-sliced onion at their salad bars, making your prep even quicker.
- Opt for pre-shredded chicken – Some stores sell ready-to-use shredded rotisserie chicken, and you may also find BBQ pulled chicken in the refrigerated section, eliminating the need for additional BBQ sauce.
Recipe Variations
If you adore this recipe and would like to play around with it for variety, these tips will help shake things up!
- Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Sliders – Incorporate pineapple rings into the sliders before adding cheese.
- BBQ Pork Sliders – Replace the shredded chicken with Zesty Crock Pot BBQ Pulled Pork.
- BBQ Beef Sliders – Sauté ground beef, then mix in BBQ sauce to replace the chicken.
- BBQ Meatball Sliders – Prepare a batch of Honey BBQ Meatballs and use them in your sliders.
Freezer-Friendly Instructions
Transforming this Pulled BBQ Chicken Sliders recipe into a freezer meal is easy! Follow the steps below, and you can store this dish in the freezer for up to six months.
- Assemble the sliders as per the recipe.
- Wrap them securely in a baking dish and freeze.
- Thaw in the refrigerator, then bake following the recipe instructions.
Leftovers from Pulled BBQ Chicken Sliders
If you happen to have leftovers after making Pulled BBQ Chicken Sliders, you’re in luck! They store and reheat well, making it easy to whip up another delicious meal.
To store leftovers, portion them into meal-sized servings and place in an airtight container, keeping them:
- in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
- in the freezer for up to a month
Explore More Chicken Recipes
If you liked this recipe, I hope you will check out more of my easy recipes for those busy nights!
You can explore my chicken recipes here, or take a look at a few favorites recommended by our readers below.
Eager for more family-friendly recipes? Join my free recipe club to receive new family-friendly recipes in your inbox each week! Follow me for daily meal-time inspiration on Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok.
BBQ Chicken Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls
These simple Pulled BBQ Chicken Sliders combine shredded BBQ chicken with cheddar cheese, red onions, and garlic butter-drenched Hawaiian rolls. They’re incredibly delicious and require just a bit of effort to prepare!
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.
Mix the shredded chicken with the barbecue sauce and set aside.
Next, combine the melted butter with garlic salt and set that aside as well.
Slice the rolls in half horizontally and arrange the bottoms in a baking dish. Evenly distribute the BBQ chicken on top of the rolls. Add the sliced onion and cheese slices on top, then replace the tops of the rolls.
Use a sharp knife to cut between the sandwiches. Brush the tops with the garlic butter mixture, allowing some to seep between the rolls.
Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Garnish with cilantro if desired. Serve 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 provided is an estimate and may vary based on cooking methods and the brands of ingredients used.)
