Now that hot summer days are just around the corner, I’ve been returning to some of my favorite appetizer recipes that are perfect for fuss-free entertaining! If you love bold and punchy flavors, these Nashville hot honey butter chicken sliders are a must-try. They’re fiery (though you can tone that down a little if you prefer), slightly sweet, really easy to put together, and an ideal choice if you’re feeding a hungry crowd.

We’re taking crispy chicken bites (use your favorite frozen ones to keep things easy), tossing them in a buttery hot honey sauce, and layering them onto soft Hawaiian rolls with garlicky mayo and plenty of pickles. Slice up, and you’ve got a crowd-pleasing recipe that’s perfect for parties, game day, or just a fun twist on family dinner.

(By the way, I think you’ll also love my BLT sliders!)

Ingredients

Crispy boneless chicken bites: Use your favorite brand of frozen chicken bites or nuggets — anything with a good crunchy coating will work. Air fryer or oven versions both do the trick, it’s just down to your personal preference.
Hawaiian rolls: The soft, slightly sweet rolls are perfect for sliders and balance the heat from the hot honey butter. Don’t separate them — slicing them as one big piece makes assembly easier.
Mayo: A simple mayo base adds creaminess and helps anchor the flavors. You can swap for light mayo or Greek yogurt if you prefer.
Garlic powder: Just enough to give the mayo a little extra flavor without overpowering it.
Unsalted butter (melted): Butter is the base of the hot honey sauce — make sure it’s melted so it mixes smoothly with the other ingredients.
Honey: This adds that sticky-sweet element that plays so well with the spicy hot sauce. Feel free to adjust to taste.
Frank’s Red Hot hot sauce: The classic — it brings the heat and tang. You can dial it up or down depending on your spice preference.
Paprika: Adds a warm, smoky depth to the sauce and boosts the color too.
Cayenne powder: For that bold Nashville-style kick. Reduce or skip if you want a milder version.
Jar of pickle chips: The salty crunch balances out the sweet and spicy flavors. Dill pickles are ideal here, but bread and butter pickles work too if you prefer a sweeter bite.

How To Make Nashville Hot Honey Butter Chicken Sliders

Below you’ll find the step-by-step instructions with process photos to guide you through the recipe. If you prefer a more streamlined format, there’s a printable recipe card waiting for you toward the end of the post.

Cook the chicken bites in the air fryer or oven according to the package instructions. While they’re cooking, slice the whole slider buns in half horizontally (keep them connected if you can) and set the top layer aside. Mix the mayo with the garlic powder and spread it over the bottom half of the buns.

In a large bowl, stir together the melted butter, honey, hot sauce, paprika, and cayenne. Once the chicken is cooked, add it to the bowl and toss until every piece is coated in that spicy-sweet sauce.

Pile the saucy chicken over the bottom buns, then layer on the pickle slices.

Add the top buns back on, and use a sharp knife to cut into individual sliders. (Don’t worry if you slice through a few pickles or pieces of chicken — it’s all part of the charm!) Serve and enjoy!

Storage Tips

Store any leftover sliders in an airtight container in the fridge for 2–3 days. They’re best enjoyed fresh while the buns are still soft and the chicken is crispy, but they reheat well in the air fryer or oven. If you’re making these for a party, you can prep the mayo mixture and hot honey butter sauce in advance to make life a little easier.

Recipe Notes

Feel free to taste the hot honey butter sauce before tossing the chicken — you can always add more hot sauce if you want extra heat (or dial it back a bit).
If you prefer, you can assemble each slider individually — I just find the slice-and-build method quicker and less fussy, especially for a crowd.
Use whatever hot sauce you love, but I think Frank’s adds just the right balance of heat and tang for this recipe.

Print Recipe

Nashville Hot Honey Butter Chicken Sliders

These Nashville Hot Honey Butter Chicken Sliders are the ultimate sweet-spicy crowd-pleaser. Crispy chicken bites get tossed in a hot honey butter sauce and layered onto soft Hawaiian rolls with garlic mayo and plenty of pickles. Quick to throw together, easy to scale for parties, and totally addictive — they’re everything a slider should be.

Prep Time5

Cook Time15

Total Time20

Course: Appetizer, Main Course

Servings:

Ingredients

24 oz bag of crispy boneless chicken bites or your favorite frozen chicken nuggets/bites
12 Hawaiian rolls
1/4 cup mayo
1 tsp garlic powder
3 tbsp unsalted butter melted
1/4 cup honey
2 tbsp Franks Red Hot hot sauce
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp cayenne powder
16 oz jar pickle chips

Instructions

Cook the chicken bites in the air fryer or oven according to the package instructions. While they’re cooking, slice the whole slider buns in half horizontally (keep them connected if you can) and set the top layer aside. Mix the mayo with the garlic powder and spread it over the bottom half of the buns.
In a large bowl, stir together the melted butter, honey, hot sauce, paprika, and cayenne. Once the chicken is cooked, add it to the bowl and toss until every piece is coated in that spicy-sweet sauce.
Pile the saucy chicken over the bottom buns, then layer on the pickle slices. Add the top buns back on, and use a sharp knife to cut into individual sliders. (Don’t worry if you slice through a few pickles or pieces of chicken — it’s all part of the charm!) Serve and enjoy!

These Nashville Hot Honey Butter Chicken Sliders are perfect for everything from game day parties to easy family dinners — fun to make, even better to eat, and always a hit. If you give them a try, I’d love it if you left a rating and comment below! It helps others find the recipe, and I always enjoy hearing how you served yours. You can also tag in me in your snaps on Instagram @slimmingviolet!