BBQ chicken sliders are easy baked sandwiches filled with shredded chicken, smoky barbecue sauce, red onion, and melted cheese. Everything is layered onto soft slider rolls, brushed with seasoned butter, and baked in one pan until the filling is hot and the tops are golden.
These cheesy barbecue chicken sliders take about 10 minutes to assemble and 20 minutes to bake, making them useful for both quick family dinners and larger gatherings. Rotisserie chicken keeps the preparation especially easy, but any leftover cooked chicken will work.
Serve them for a weeknight dinner, backyard cookout, potluck, football party, or holiday appetizer spread. The recipe makes 12 sliders and can easily be doubled when you need to feed a larger crowd.
Easy baked BBQ chicken sliders are a cheesy, saucy, crowd-friendly dinner or party appetizer.
Why This BBQ Chicken Slider Recipe Works
- Quick preparation: Using cooked shredded chicken keeps hands-on preparation to about 10 minutes.
- One-pan recipe: The sliders are assembled and baked together, so there is very little cleanup.
- Enough sauce: Tossing the chicken with barbecue sauce before assembling keeps the filling flavorful without making the bottoms soggy.
- Reliable texture: Cheese beneath and above the chicken helps hold the filling together.
- Easy to scale: Make one pan for dinner or double the recipe for parties and game day.
- Useful year-round: These sliders transition naturally from summer cookouts to back-to-school dinners, football parties, and holiday gatherings.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 12 connected slider rolls, Hawaiian rolls, potato rolls, or soft dinner rolls
- 3 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 3/4 cup barbecue sauce, plus more for serving if desired
- 1/3 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 8 slices cheddar, provolone, mozzarella, or Monterey Jack cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley or Italian seasoning
- Optional coleslaw, sliced pickles, or chopped green onions for serving
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Cooked chicken
Rotisserie chicken is the fastest option, but leftover baked, grilled, poached, or slow-cooked chicken works equally well. Shred the chicken into small pieces so every slider receives an even amount of filling.
Barbecue sauce
Choose a sauce your family already enjoys because its flavor will be prominent. A thick sauce is preferable to a thin one, which can soak into the rolls. For a tangier homemade version, try my Carolina BBQ Sauce.
Slider rolls
Hawaiian rolls provide a sweet contrast to smoky barbecue sauce. Potato, brioche, and traditional dinner rolls also work. You can even make a batch of homemade dinner rolls.
Cheese
Cheddar adds sharper flavor, provolone is smooth and mild, and mozzarella produces the stretchiest melt. Monterey Jack or pepper Jack can also be used. If you are using a block of cheese, here is why you may want to grate your own cheese.
How to Make BBQ Chicken Sliders
- Prepare the oven and pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
- Season the chicken: Place the shredded chicken in a bowl and toss it with 3/4 cup barbecue sauce until evenly coated.
- Slice the rolls: Without separating the individual rolls, use a serrated knife to slice the entire slab horizontally.
- Add the bottom layer: Place the bottom half of the rolls, cut side up, in the prepared baking dish.
- Layer the filling: Arrange four slices of cheese over the rolls. Spread the barbecue chicken evenly over the cheese, followed by the red onion and remaining cheese.
- Replace the tops: Position the top half of the rolls over the filling.
- Add the butter topping: Combine the melted butter, garlic powder, and dried parsley. Brush the mixture over the tops of the rolls.
- Bake covered: Loosely cover the pan with foil and bake for 12 minutes.
- Brown the tops: Remove the foil and bake for another 5 to 8 minutes, until the cheese has melted and the rolls are golden.
- Rest and serve: Let the sliders rest for 5 minutes. Cut between the rolls and serve warm with additional barbecue sauce, pickles, or coleslaw.
Tips for the Best Baked Chicken Sliders
- Keep the rolls connected. Slicing the entire slab at once makes assembly much faster.
- Coat the chicken evenly. Mixing the chicken and sauce in a bowl distributes the flavor better than drizzling sauce over dry chicken.
- Use cheese as a barrier. Placing cheese directly on the bottom rolls helps protect them from excess moisture.
- Cover the pan initially. Foil allows the filling to heat and the cheese to melt before the tops become too brown.
- Add cold toppings afterward. Coleslaw and lettuce become limp when baked. Add them after the sliders come out of the oven.
- Allow a short rest. Five minutes helps the filling settle so the sliders are easier to cut and serve.
Easy BBQ Chicken Slider Variations
Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Sliders
Use Hawaiian rolls and add a thin layer of well-drained crushed pineapple beneath the top layer of cheese.
BBQ Bacon Chicken Sliders
Add six slices of cooked, crumbled bacon to the barbecue chicken before adding the final cheese layer.
Spicy BBQ Chicken Sliders
Use pepper Jack cheese and add sliced jalapeños or hot sauce to the chicken mixture.
BBQ Chicken Sliders with Coleslaw
Bake the sliders without greens. After baking, lift each top and add a spoonful of cold, crunchy coleslaw immediately before serving.
BBQ Chicken and Pickle Sliders
Add well-drained dill pickle chips after baking. The acidity cuts through the rich cheese and sweet barbecue sauce.
What to Serve with BBQ Chicken Sliders
For dinner, pair the sliders with coleslaw, potato salad, corn, baked beans, kettle chips, pasta salad, or fresh fruit. For a party, add a dip, a cold drink, and one or two easy desserts.
Finish a casual cookout menu with Rice Krispie Treats, Pudding Pops, Rocky Road Brownies, or kid-friendly Oreo dirt cups.
For drinks, try homemade raspberry lemonade, grapefruit iced tea, or my copycat Arizona green tea.
Seasonal Ways to Serve Them
The recipe itself remains evergreen, but the surrounding menu can change throughout the year:
- Late-summer cookout: Pair the sliders with corn on the cob, watermelon, lemonade, and frozen treats.
- Back-to-school dinner: Use rotisserie chicken and serve the sliders with raw vegetables and fruit for a quick weeknight meal.
- Football season: Cut each slider in half and add them to a game-day spread with queso, chips, and pickles.
- Holiday party: Make two pans and serve the sliders as a warm appetizer alongside cold party snacks.
Make-Ahead Instructions
You can prepare the barbecue chicken up to three days ahead and keep it refrigerated in an airtight container. The rolls may also be sliced and the butter topping mixed in advance.
For the best texture, assemble the sliders no more than four hours before baking. Cover and refrigerate them, but wait to brush on the melted butter until shortly before they go into the oven. Cold sliders may need an additional 3 to 5 minutes of covered baking time.
Storage and Reheating
Refrigerating
Place leftover sliders in an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to three days.
Reheating
Cover the sliders loosely with foil and reheat them in a 300°F oven for approximately 10 to 15 minutes. An air fryer also works well for individual sliders. Microwave reheating is faster, but the bread will be softer.
Freezing
Wrap cooled sliders individually and place them in a freezer-safe container for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Sliders without coleslaw or other fresh toppings freeze best.
BBQ Chicken Sliders FAQ
Can I use canned chicken?
Yes. Drain canned chicken thoroughly before mixing it with the barbecue sauce. Rotisserie or leftover cooked chicken will provide a firmer texture.
How do I keep chicken sliders from getting soggy?
Use a thick barbecue sauce, avoid adding too much liquid, and place a layer of cheese between the bottom rolls and chicken. Add coleslaw, pickles, or lettuce only after baking.
What cheese is best on BBQ chicken sliders?
Cheddar, provolone, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, and pepper Jack all melt well. Cheddar provides the boldest flavor, while provolone and mozzarella are milder.
Can I make BBQ chicken sliders without Hawaiian rolls?
Yes. Use potato rolls, brioche rolls, traditional dinner rolls, or any connected slider rolls that fit your baking dish.
How many sliders should I make per person?
Allow two to three sliders per adult when serving them as the main dish. For an appetizer buffet with several other foods, plan on one to two per person.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes. Assemble two pans and rotate their positions halfway through baking if they are in the oven together.
Easy Baked BBQ Chicken Sliders
These easy BBQ chicken sliders layer saucy shredded chicken, red onion, and melted cheese on soft slider rolls. Brushed with seasoned butter and baked until golden, they are perfect for weeknight dinners, game day, potlucks, and cookouts.
Ingredients
- 12 connected slider rolls, Hawaiian rolls, potato rolls, or soft dinner rolls
- 3 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 3/4 cup barbecue sauce, plus more for serving if desired
- 1/3 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 8 slices cheddar, provolone, mozzarella, or Monterey Jack cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley or Italian seasoning
- Optional coleslaw, sliced pickles, or chopped green onions for serving
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
Place the shredded chicken in a bowl. Add the barbecue sauce and toss until the chicken is evenly coated.
Without separating the individual rolls, use a serrated knife to slice the entire slab horizontally.
Place the bottom half of the rolls, cut side up, in the prepared baking dish.
Arrange four slices of cheese over the bottom rolls. Spread the barbecue chicken evenly over the cheese.
Add the sliced red onion and cover with the remaining four slices of cheese.
Place the top half of the rolls over the filling.
Combine the melted butter, garlic powder, and dried parsley. Brush the mixture evenly over the rolls.
Loosely cover the pan with foil and bake for 12 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for another 5 to 8 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the tops are golden brown.
Let the sliders rest for 5 minutes. Cut between the rolls and serve warm with additional barbecue sauce, coleslaw, pickles, or green onions if desired.
Notes
Equipment
- 9-by-13-inch baking dish
- Large mixing bowl
- Serrated knife
- Pastry brush
- Aluminum foil
Expert Tips
Keep the rolls connected while slicing and assembling them. Toss the chicken with the barbecue sauce before adding it to the rolls so every bite is evenly flavored. Placing cheese directly over the bottom rolls creates a barrier that helps prevent sogginess.
Troubleshooting
If the tops brown before the cheese melts, replace the foil and continue baking. If the filling seems watery, use a thicker barbecue sauce and make sure the chicken is well drained. Add wet toppings such as coleslaw and pickles after baking.
Variations
Add cooked bacon, pineapple, jalapeños, pepper Jack cheese, or dill pickle chips. For crunchy BBQ chicken sliders with coleslaw, bake the sliders first and add cold slaw immediately before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the sliders with classic corn on the cob, Instant Pot black beans, or supreme queso dip. Pour homemade raspberry lemonade for an easy cookout drink.
Storage
Store leftover BBQ chicken sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Freezing
Wrap cooled sliders individually and freeze them in a freezer-safe container for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating
Cover the sliders loosely with foil and reheat them in a 300°F oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until hot. Individual sliders can also be reheated in an air fryer.
Make Ahead
The barbecue chicken can be prepared up to three days ahead. Fully assembled sliders may be covered and refrigerated for up to four hours. Brush them with melted butter just before baking.
More Recipes to Try
Make homemade Carolina BBQ Sauce for the chicken or use these soft dinner rolls. For another party-friendly sandwich, try my mini sliders with Coca-Cola caramelized shallots.
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary according to the rolls, barbecue sauce, cheese, chicken, and optional toppings used.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 294Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 5gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 84mgSodium: 307mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 1gSugar: 10gProtein: 19g
The Nutritional Information may not be accurate. This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.