BBQ Chicken Sliders
Game day spreads call for satisfying, crowd pleasing bites that you just know are going to fly straight off the table, and these BBQ chicken sliders tick all the boxes! They’ve got that perfect mix of sweet, smoky, and tangy, with juicy shredded chicken, caramelized onions, and buttery toasted rolls that practically melt in your mouth.
And the best part is that you only need a handful of ingredients and about 35 minutes to pull the whole thing together.
They’re a total win for game days, casual parties, or even just a fun twist on weeknight dinner. The sliders bake up warm and saucy in the oven, then get topped with a scoop of creamy coleslaw for crunch and freshness. Serve them straight from the tray, and you’ve got instant hosting success.
Why you’ll love this recipe:
-
Perfect for game days, parties, and feeding a crowd
-
Uses easy, everyday ingredients (hello, rotisserie chicken shortcut!)
-
Sweet, smoky, and tangy flavors in every bite
-
Easy to double for larger gatherings
By the way, regular readers know that I love a good slider recipe, so be sure to check out my other faves! Choose from Big Mac sliders, turkey cranberry sliders, BLT sliders, Mississippi pot roast sliders, and hot honey butter chicken sliders!
Ingredients
Here’s the full BBQ chicken sliders recipe you’ll want to keep handy for every game day, party, and casual get-together. You can scroll through the ingredients and step-by-step instructions below, but don’t forget to save or print the recipe card at the bottom of this post so you can save it for next time.
-
Butter – You’ll use some for caramelizing the onions and some for brushing over the buns before baking. It adds flavor and helps everything turn golden and delicious.
-
Onion – Sweet, caramelized onions give these sliders that smoky-sweet balance against the tangy BBQ sauce.
-
Salt and pepper – Just enough to season the onions while they cook.
-
King’s Hawaiian rolls – The perfect mix of soft and slightly sweet — ideal for saucy sliders.
-
Shredded rotisserie chicken – Total shortcut hero. Juicy, flavorful, and already cooked. Just shred and toss with the sauce.
-
BBQ sauce – Use your favorite — smoky, spicy, or sweet. It’s the main flavor driver here, so pick one you love.
-
Brown sugar & dried parsley – A little sweet and a little fresh — the combo makes that buttery topping extra good.
-
Coleslaw mix – Adds crunch and freshness to balance the rich BBQ chicken.
-
Coleslaw dressing – Creamy, tangy, and the easiest way to pull the slaw together in seconds.
How To Make BBQ Chicken Sliders
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cook the onions: Melt a little butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions with a pinch of salt and pepper, and cook for about 6–8 minutes, stirring often, until they’re soft and golden. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Prep the buns: Use a bread knife to slice the rolls in half horizontally (keep them connected for easier assembly). Place the bottom half on your prepared baking sheet.
- Mix the filling: In a large bowl, combine your shredded rotisserie chicken, those caramelized onions, and your favorite BBQ sauce. Stir until everything’s fully coated and glossy.
- Assemble the sliders: Spread the BBQ chicken mixture evenly over the bottom buns, then top with the upper half of the rolls.
- Make the topping: In a small bowl, melt butter with a little brown sugar and parsley (a quick zap in the microwave does the trick). Brush this sweet, buttery mix over the tops of the buns.
- Bake: Cover loosely with foil and bake for 15–20 minutes until heated through. If you want the buns a little more toasty, remove the foil and bake for another 5 minutes.
- Add the coleslaw: While the sliders bake, toss together your coleslaw mix with dressing in a small bowl. When the sliders come out, lift off the top buns, spread the slaw in an even layer over the chicken, and pop the buns back on.
- Serve: Slice, serve, and get ready for the crowd to swarm — these are game day gold.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover sliders in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
When you’re ready for round two, just pop them in the microwave and reheat in 1-minute increments until warmed through. The buns stay soft, the chicken stays juicy, and it’s the easiest leftover lunch ever.
(Pro tip: add a little extra BBQ sauce after reheating if you like things extra saucy.)
Recipe Notes & Tips
-
Buns: King’s Hawaiian rolls are my favorite for that soft, slightly sweet bite, but regular yeast dinner rolls or even brioche slider rolls work great too.
-
Chicken: Any shredded chicken will do. Rotisserie is the easiest shortcut, but you can also cook chicken breasts or thighs in the oven or on the stovetop, then shred and remove the skin and bones before adding.
-
Onions: I used caramelized white onions for a sweet, mellow flavor, but if you love a little crunch or bite, raw red onions make a great swap.
-
Extras: Want to make them a little more indulgent? Add slices of cheese (cheddar or provolone work beautifully) or a few pickles before baking.
-
Coleslaw: I went with a store-bought coleslaw mix and dressing for convenience, but you can make your own with shredded cabbage, mayo, lime juice, salt, and pepper — or skip the dressing altogether for a lighter bite.
Serving Ideas
These BBQ chicken sliders are made for sharing. They’re saucy, melty, and the ultimate crowd-pleaser for game day, tailgates, or backyard get-togethers. Here’s a few of my favorite ideas for serving them up:
-
For game day: Keep them warm on the baking sheet, then transfer to a platter so guests can grab and go between plays. Add a bowl of extra BBQ sauce for dipping.
-
For parties: Line them up on a wooden board or tray with little sandwich picks — easy to grab and perfect for feeding a crowd without forks or fuss.
-
For family dinners: Serve with chips, fries, or a quick green salad for a simple weeknight meal that everyone loves.
-
For potlucks: These travel surprisingly well. Just assemble, bake, and cover tightly with foil. They reheat beautifully in the oven when you arrive.
-
For a build-your-own station: Keep the coleslaw on the side and let everyone top their own slider.
BBQ Chicken Sliders
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 onion sliced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 12 count King’s Hawaiian dinner rolls
- 4 cups shredded rotisserie chicken skin and bones removed
- 1 cup BBQ sauce of choice
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon dried parsley
- 2 cups coleslaw mix
- 3 tablespoons coleslaw dressing
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cook the onions: Melt a little butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions with a pinch of salt and pepper, and cook for about 6–8 minutes, stirring often, until they’re soft and golden. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Prep the buns: Use a bread knife to slice the rolls in half horizontally (keep them connected for easier assembly). Place the bottom half on your prepared baking sheet.
- Mix the filling: In a large bowl, combine your shredded rotisserie chicken, those caramelized onions, and your favorite BBQ sauce. Stir until everything’s fully coated and glossy.
- Assemble the sliders: Spread the BBQ chicken mixture evenly over the bottom buns, then top with the upper half of the rolls.
- Make the topping: In a small bowl, melt butter with a little brown sugar and parsley (a quick zap in the microwave does the trick). Brush this sweet, buttery mix over the tops of the buns.
- Bake: Cover loosely with foil and bake for 15–20 minutes until heated through. If you want the buns a little more toasty, remove the foil and bake for another 5 minutes.
- Add the coleslaw: While the sliders bake, toss together your coleslaw mix with dressing in a small bowl. When the sliders come out, lift off the top buns, spread the slaw in an even layer over the chicken, and pop the buns back on.
- Serve: Slice, serve, and get ready for the crowd to swarm — these are game day gold.
I hope these sliders are as much of a hit in your household as they are in mine! If you try them, I’d really love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below. I’d also love to see how you serve them up for game day – you can tag me in your snaps on Instagram @slimmingviolet!
