There’s something magical about the combination of sweet and smoky BBQ sauce, tender shredded chicken, and a ridiculous amount of melted cheese, all piled onto soft, buttery rolls.
These oven-baked BBQ Chicken Sliders are exactly that—a tray full of pure comfort and flavor that’s impossible to resist.
Perfectly portioned for sharing, these sliders are a game-changer for casual weeknight dinners, lively parties, or your next game day spread. They bring the soul of a summer barbecue indoors, baked together in one pan for an incredibly easy and satisfying meal. If you’re a fan of pull-apart sandwiches, get ready to meet your new favorite recipe.
Explore more slider variations in our Classic Chicken Sliders Recipe!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These BBQ Chicken Sliders
- Baked in One Pan: Everything comes together in a single baking dish, which means minimal mess and a ridiculously easy cleanup. It’s the perfect low-effort, high-reward meal.
- Minimal Prep, Big Flavor: Using pre-cooked chicken means these sliders come together in about 10 minutes. The oven does all the hard work, melting the cheese and toasting the buns to golden-brown perfection.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you’re feeding a hungry family, hosting a party, or looking for the ultimate game day snack, a warm tray of these saucy sliders is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.
- Endlessly Versatile: This recipe is a fantastic starting point. You can easily swap the cheese, try a different BBQ sauce, or add your favorite toppings to make it your own.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of simple ingredients to bring these irresistible sliders to life.
- Slider Buns: A 12-pack of sweet Hawaiian rolls is the classic choice here—their sweetness perfectly complements the smoky BBQ sauce. Brioche or soft potato rolls also work wonderfully.
- Cooked, Shredded Chicken: About 2 cups. A store-bought rotisserie chicken is the ultimate shortcut.
- BBQ Sauce: Use ½ cup of your favorite brand, whether it’s sweet, smoky, or tangy.
- Red Onion: ¼ cup of finely diced red onion is optional but adds a great layer of flavor.
- Shredded Cheese: 1 ½ cups. Sharp cheddar is a classic pairing with BBQ, but provolone or mozzarella will give you an amazing cheese pull.
- Butter, Garlic Powder & Parsley: For the essential garlic butter topping that takes these sliders over the top.
How to Make BBQ Chicken Sliders (Step-by-Step)
Follow these five simple steps for a pan of saucy, cheesy perfection.
- Preheat & Prep: First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Mix the Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the shredded chicken with your favorite BBQ sauce. If you’re using it, stir in the finely diced red onion.
- Assemble the Sliders: Slice the entire slab of slider buns in half horizontally. Place the bottom half in your prepared baking dish. Spread the BBQ chicken filling evenly over the buns, then sprinkle the shredded cheese on top. Place the top slab of buns over the cheese.
- Add the Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter and garlic powder. Brush this mixture generously over the tops of the buns.
- Bake to Perfection: Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 15 minutes. This traps the steam and melts the cheese beautifully. Then, uncover the dish and bake for another 5-7 minutes, until the tops are golden brown and slightly crisp.
A friendly note: Let them rest for a minute before slicing! This helps the filling set and makes them much easier to serve.
What to Serve With BBQ Chicken Sliders
These sliders are a meal in themselves, but they pair wonderfully with classic cookout sides and refreshing drinks.
- Potato Sides: You can’t go wrong with potatoes! Serve these sliders with a side of classic French fries or our flavorful Potatoes O’Brien.
- Fresh Salads: A crisp, cool salad is the perfect counterpoint to the rich, saucy sliders. Our Pineapple Cucumber Salad is a wonderfully refreshing choice.
- Cheesy Bread: For the ultimate comfort food pairing, serve them alongside a batch of our addictively delicious Brazilian Cheese Bread.
- Refreshing Margaritas: For the adults at the party, a tangy margarita cuts through the richness of the BBQ sauce perfectly. Try our Pineapple Jalapeño Margarita or Cucumber Jalapeño Margarita. Find more inspiration in our collection of Healthy Drink Recipes.
BBQ Chicken Sliders Variations & Tips
- Make it Spicy: Add a kick by stirring finely diced jalapeños into the chicken mixture or using a spicy BBQ sauce. A slice of Pepper Jack cheese also works wonders.
- Crockpot Chicken: For the most tender, flavorful filling, make your chicken in the slow cooker. Place 2-3 chicken breasts in your crockpot, cover with BBQ sauce, and cook on low for 4-6 hours. Shred the chicken right in the pot—it will be unbelievably juicy.
- Toast the Buns: For an extra layer of texture, lightly toast the cut sides of the buns in a dry skillet or under the broiler for 1-2 minutes before assembling.
- More Topping Ideas: Feel free to add dill pickle slices, a layer of creamy coleslaw, or a drizzle of chipotle mayo on top of the chicken before adding the cheese.
Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
- Store: Place any leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: The oven or air fryer is your best bet. Reheat at 350°F for 5-10 minutes, until the filling is warm and the tops are crisp again.
- Prep Ahead: You can fully assemble these sliders, cover the dish with foil, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before you plan to bake them.
BBQ Chicken Sliders Recipe
BBQ Chicken Sliders
Ingredients
- 12 slider buns Hawaiian or brioche
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- ½ cup barbecue sauce sweet, smoky, or spicy—your choice
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp red onion finely chopped (optional)
- 3 tbsp butter melted
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a bowl, mix shredded chicken with barbecue sauce until evenly coated. Stir in red onion if using.
- Slice the slider buns horizontally and place the bottom halves in the baking dish. Layer the BBQ chicken, sprinkle cheese on top, then add the top buns.
- Mix melted butter and garlic powder. Brush generously over the top buns.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 5 minutes until tops are golden. Garnish with parsley, slice, and serve.
Video
Notes
- Sauce Tip: Use honey BBQ for sweetness or chipotle BBQ for heat.
- Cheese Swap: Pepper Jack adds a spicy twist.
- Make Ahead: Assemble sliders, cover, and refrigerate up to 6 hours before baking.
- Storage: Store leftovers in the fridge for 3 days. Reheat in oven or air fryer.
FAQs
What goes with BBQ chicken sliders?
They pair wonderfully with classic cookout sides like coleslaw, potato salad, French fries, or our Potatoes O’Brien. A fresh green salad like our Pineapple Cucumber Salad also provides a great, refreshing balance.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes, absolutely! Assemble the sliders completely, cover the dish, and keep it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time since they’ll be chilled.
Can I use a crockpot to make the chicken?
Yes, and it’s a fantastic method! Slow-cooking the chicken in BBQ sauce makes it incredibly tender and flavorful. Just cook chicken breasts in BBQ sauce on low for 4-6 hours, then shred and use the meat for the slider filling.
Are these good for parties or game day?
They are perfect for parties! They are easy to make in a big batch, simple to serve, and universally loved. They are a guaranteed hit for any gathering.
What buns work best for sliders?
Sweet Hawaiian rolls are the top choice because their sweetness balances the smoky BBQ sauce perfectly. Soft brioche or potato rolls are also excellent options.
A Guaranteed Crowd-Pleaser
That’s all there is to it! These BBQ Chicken Sliders are a simple, stress-free way to deliver huge flavor that everyone will love. They prove that you don’t need a complicated recipe to create something truly delicious and memorable. Whether you stick to the classic recipe or try one of the fun variations, you’re in for a treat.
If you make these sliders, we’d love to see them! Tag us on social media or leave a comment below to let us know how they turned out.
