There’s just something irresistible about the perfect combo of spicy, tangy, and cheesy in one bite. That’s exactly what makes this Buffalo Chicken Slider Recipe stand out — it’s a quick, crowd-pleasing snack with a punch of flavor and the softest Hawaiian rolls that pull you in for more every time.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’ve made this Buffalo Chicken Slider Recipe countless times for game days, casual get-togethers, or even quick dinners. It’s one of those recipes that feels fancy but is seriously easy to throw together — and everyone always asks for seconds.
- Quick to prepare: It only takes about 20 minutes from start to finish, which is perfect when you’re short on time.
- Perfect flavor balance: The spicy buffalo sauce, cool ranch, and melty cheese create a harmony that’s both bold and comforting.
- Simple ingredients: You probably already have most of these in your kitchen, so it’s an easy recipe to whip up whenever the mood strikes.
- Great for sharing: These sliders are ideal for parties, tailgates, or family dinners because they’re bite-sized, fun, and filling.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Buffalo Chicken Slider Recipe plays a role in layering flavors and textures that make every slider feel special. The soft Hawaiian rolls add a subtle sweetness that perfectly balances the heat of the buffalo sauce and the creaminess of ranch and cheese. Here’s a quick rundown on why these ingredients shine together.
- Hawaiian sweet dinner rolls: These rolls are soft, slightly sweet, and just sticky enough to hold together all the fillings without falling apart.
- Shredded chicken breast: Tender, protein-packed, and no-fuss, shredded chicken absorbs the buffalo sauce beautifully.
- Hot sauce (Frank’s RedHot): This classic buffalo sauce gives the sliders that signature tangy, spicy kick that defines buffalo flavors.
- Ranch dressing (Greek-yogurt based): Creamy with a touch of tang, ranch mellows the heat and adds a cooling effect that’s essential here.
- Garlic powder: Adds subtle depth without overpowering the other flavors.
- Shredded mozzarella (or provolone/Havarti): Melts nicely and adds that gooey, cheesy texture everyone loves.
- Unsalted butter: When brushed on top with Italian seasoning, the butter helps the buns crisp up golden and boost flavor.
- Italian seasoning: A fragrant mix that adds an herby note contrasting beautifully with the bold buffalo taste.
Make It Your Way
I love making this Buffalo Chicken Slider Recipe just as is, but feel free to switch up the cheese or sauce level based on what you like. It’s super forgiving, so make it your own!
- Variation: When hosting, I sometimes swap the mozzarella for provolone for a smokier twist — it’s fantastic and adds a little extra depth.
- Spice level: Like it hotter? Mix in extra hot sauce or toss in some crushed red pepper flakes. Prefer mild? Go easy on the buffalo sauce and add extra ranch.
- Make it vegetarian: Use shredded jackfruit instead of chicken and your favorite plant-based cheese — surprisingly delicious and still holds that buffalo flavor.
- Seasonal twist: Toss in some thinly sliced celery or green onions on top for crunchy freshness that contrasts the soft buns.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Buffalo Chicken Slider Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Buns
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper — this keeps cleanup easy. Slice the Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally, but keep them connected on the sides like one big bun. Then place the bottom half right onto the parchment.
Step 2: Mix Your Buffalo Chicken Filling
In a large bowl, toss together shredded chicken, hot buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, and garlic powder. This blend brings the perfect spice-creamy combo. Taste and adjust — a little more ranch can mellow things out if you like.
Step 3: Layer Cheese and Chicken
Scatter a handful of shredded mozzarella over the bottom buns — the cheese acts as a melty glue. Spread the buffalo chicken mixture evenly over the cheese, then sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top. This layering makes sure that gooey cheese pulls everything together.
Step 4: Add the Tops and Butter Glaze
Place the top bun over the chicken. In a small bowl, stir together melted butter and Italian seasoning, then brush generously over the tops of the buns — this ensures a golden, flavorful crust once baked.
Step 5: Bake and Serve
Pop the sliders into your preheated oven and bake for about 10-12 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the tops are golden brown. Let them rest a few minutes before slicing with a serrated knife. Serve warm and enjoy!
Top Tip
After making these sliders a bunch, I’ve found a few little tricks that take them from great to unforgettable. Trust me, these tips help keep your sliders perfectly moist, cheesy, and easy to slice.
- Keep the buns connected when slicing: Prevents the sliders from falling apart and makes transferring and buttering the tops so much easier.
- Use a serrated knife for slicing: It cuts cleanly through the soft buns without squishing them, giving you neat sliders ready to serve.
- Brush melted butter generously: Don’t skimp here — it’s the secret to a golden, flavorful crust that compliments the spicy filling.
- Don’t overbake: Keep an eye on the oven to prevent dry sliders. Pull them out once cheese is melted and buns turn golden.
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Slider Recipe
Garnishes
For garnishes, I love adding a few crisp celery sticks or a sprinkle of chopped green onions on top — both add a fresh crunch that contrasts the warmth and softness of the sliders beautifully. Blue cheese crumbles are also a winner if you want a bolder cheese element.
Side Dishes
I usually serve these sliders alongside classic sides like cool ranch potato chips or a tangy coleslaw. Sometimes I whip up some baked sweet potato fries or crunchy veggie sticks for a little freshness and balance.
Creative Ways to Present
When bringing these to a party, I sometimes arrange the sliders on a large platter with small bowls of extra ranch and blue cheese dressing for dipping. Another fun idea is to split the sliders into smaller portions and serve on mini skewers for easy grab-and-go bites.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover sliders store well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I recommend slicing them before storing so you can grab exactly how many you want when reheating.
Freezing
Buffalo Chicken Sliders freeze well if wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and then foil or stored in a freezer-safe bag. When I freeze them, I usually reheat straight from frozen in a toaster oven for best texture.
Reheating
To reheat, I pop the sliders in a 350°F oven for 10–12 minutes until warmed through and melty again. This keeps the buns soft and the cheese perfectly gooey, avoiding microwave sogginess.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Using rotisserie chicken is a quick shortcut I often take. Just shred it up and mix with the buffalo sauce and ranch — it works perfectly and saves prep time.
The heat level mostly depends on the buffalo sauce you choose and how much you add. Frank’s RedHot gives a moderate, classic buffalo kick. You can adjust by adding extra hot sauce or more ranch to suit your taste buds.
You can assemble the sliders without baking and refrigerate them for a few hours before baking. Just be sure to bring them to room temperature before popping in the oven for even cooking.
Mozzarella melts great and has a mild flavor that complements buffalo sauce. Provolone adds smokiness, and Havarti is creamy with a buttery note — try whichever you prefer or even a mix for fun.
Final Thoughts
This Buffalo Chicken Slider Recipe quickly became one of my go-to dishes because it’s just so satisfying and simple. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just want a flavorful weeknight treat, give it a try — it’s one of those recipes that feels like a warm hug in slider form. I’m confident you’ll enjoy it as much as I do!
Print
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 a delicious and easy game day favorite featuring shredded chicken tossed in spicy Buffalo sauce, creamy ranch dressing, and melty mozzarella cheese nestled between sweet Hawaiian rolls. Ready in just 20 minutes, they're perfect for quick appetizers or a tasty snack.
Ingredients
Slider Ingredients
- 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 (or provolone, Havarti cheese, divided)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Place a rack in the center of your oven and preheat to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Prepare Buns: Without separating the buns on their edges, slice the slider buns horizontally to create a top and bottom half. Place the bottom halves in the center of the prepared baking sheet.
- Make Buffalo Chicken Mix: In a mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, hot sauce, ranch dressing, and garlic powder until well mixed and evenly coated.
- Assemble Sliders: Sprinkle a small handful of shredded cheese over the bottom buns, then evenly distribute the Buffalo chicken mixture over the cheese. Top the chicken with the remaining shredded cheese.
- Top and Butter: Place the top halves of the buns over the assembled sliders. In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter and Italian seasoning, then brush this mixture generously over the tops of the buns for flavor and browning.
- Bake Sliders: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the tops of the buns turn a golden brown.
- Serve: Remove the sliders from the oven and allow them to cool for a few minutes. Carefully slice apart with a serrated knife at the seams and serve warm.
Notes
- Use Greek-yogurt based ranch dressing to add creaminess with fewer calories.
- Hawaiian rolls add sweetness that complements the spicy buffalo sauce perfectly.
- If you want extra heat, add more hot sauce or a dash of cayenne pepper to the chicken mixture.
- Substitute mozzarella with provolone or Havarti cheese for different melty textures and flavors.
- Slider buns can be prepared a few hours ahead and covered with foil to maintain freshness before baking.
- These sliders are ideal for game day or quick appetizers and ready in just about 20 minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 254 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 750 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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