Buffalo Chicken Sliders

These Buffalo Chicken Sliders are the ultimate comfort food for spicy lovers. With tender rotisserie chicken tossed in bold buffalo sauce, each slider is layered with melty mozzarella cheese and a drizzle of creamy ranch, all nestled between soft, golden slider buns. Brushed with a buttery garlic topping and oven-baked to perfection, every bite is savory, spicy, and satisfying.

Perfect for parties, game days, or casual weeknight dinners, these sliders are easy to prep and always a crowd favorite. You can also customize them by adding sliced pickles, chopped green onions, or swapping ranch for blue cheese dressing. Whether you’re hosting or just treating yourself, this recipe delivers bold flavor with minimal effort. Don’t be surprised if they vanish in minutes once served!

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken

  • 1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce

  • 12 slider buns (Hawaiian rolls work great)

  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

  • 1/2 cup ranch dressing (or blue cheese if preferred)

  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted

  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley

  • Optional: sliced pickles, chopped green onions for topping

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

  2. In a bowl, combine shredded chicken and buffalo sauce. Mix until fully coated.

  3. Slice slider buns in half horizontally without separating the rolls individually.

  4. Place the bottom half of the buns in a greased baking dish.

  5. Spread the buffalo chicken evenly across the buns.

  6. Drizzle ranch dressing over the chicken.

  7. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly on top.

  8. Add sliced pickles or green onions if using.

  9. Place the top half of the buns over the filling.

  10. In a small bowl, mix melted butter, garlic powder, and dried parsley.

  11. Brush the butter mixture over the tops of the buns.

  12. Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 5 minutes until the tops are golden brown.

  13. Slice into individual sliders and serve warm.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
Kcal: 310 kcal | Servings: 12 sliders

Buffalo Chicken Sliders: A Flavor-Packed Crowd Favorite for Any Occasion

Buffalo Chicken Sliders have become a staple for game day spreads, potlucks, and casual family dinners and it’s no surprise why. These mini sandwiches are the perfect marriage of bold flavors, creamy textures, and gooey cheesiness all packed into a bite-sized bun. Whether you’re hosting a party or simply craving something comforting yet zesty, this recipe hits all the right notes. Featuring tender shredded chicken soaked in spicy buffalo sauce, creamy ranch dressing, melted cheese, and pillowy slider buns brushed with a garlic butter glaze, these sliders are truly irresistible.

This recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimal prep time. Thanks to convenient ingredients like rotisserie chicken and pre-shredded cheese, you can whip up a batch of Buffalo Chicken Sliders in under 30 minutes, no special cooking skills required. What makes this dish even better is how adaptable it is. Not a fan of ranch? Use blue cheese dressing instead. Want more crunch? Add thinly sliced celery or pickles. Hosting vegetarians? Swap in meatless chicken alternatives. The core of this recipe is simple but packed with possibilities.

The Origin of Buffalo Chicken Flavor

The term “Buffalo” in American cuisine typically refers to the spicy, buttery sauce that originated in Buffalo, New York. The original buffalo sauce, a mixture of hot sauce and melted butter, was famously used on chicken wings at the Anchor Bar in the 1960s. Since then, it has become a go-to flavor profile for a variety of dishes, from dips and pizzas to cauliflower bites and, of course, sliders.

What makes buffalo sauce so special is its tangy, spicy kick balanced with the richness of butter, creating a crave-worthy combination. That same zingy flavor is infused into the chicken in these sliders, making each bite an explosion of taste. Whether you’re already a fan of buffalo wings or new to the flavor, Buffalo Chicken Sliders are a tasty introduction to this iconic American favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

One of the biggest advantages of this dish is how easy it is to prepare while still feeling indulgent. It’s a hands-off recipe for the most part, with just a few simple steps: mix the shredded chicken with buffalo sauce, layer it between slider buns with cheese and dressing, bake, and serve. In under 30 minutes, you’ll have a tray of steamy, cheesy, spicy sliders ready to go.

It’s also an incredibly versatile dish. Serve them as an appetizer at parties, enjoy them as a main course for dinner, or pack them up for potlucks. Because they are so portable and easy to serve, they’re a favorite for tailgate parties and backyard barbecues. Plus, the individual servings make them convenient for both kids and adults alike.

These sliders also allow you to strike the right balance between spice and richness. If you like your food hot, you can use extra spicy buffalo sauce or add a pinch of cayenne pepper. Prefer things milder? Opt for a honey buffalo or mild version of the sauce. This flexibility makes it easy to accommodate different tastes at the table.

Ingredient Highlights and Substitutions

  • Shredded Chicken: Rotisserie chicken is the easiest option and adds great flavor. You can also use leftover grilled or baked chicken breasts. Want to make it meatless? Use shredded jackfruit, seitan, or a plant-based chicken substitute.

  • Buffalo Sauce: Classic Frank’s RedHot is the go-to for most, but there are a variety of buffalo sauces available to suit your spice tolerance. Homemade buffalo sauce is also an option if you want to control the heat and buttery richness.

  • Slider Buns: Sweet Hawaiian rolls add a slightly sweet contrast to the spicy filling, which works beautifully. But any small dinner rolls or slider buns will do.

  • Cheese: Mozzarella melts perfectly and has a neutral flavor, but feel free to use cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a spicy pepper jack for more kick.

  • Dressing: Ranch dressing balances out the heat, but blue cheese dressing adds a sharp, tangy note if you prefer a more traditional pairing.

  • Butter Topping: Brushing the buns with garlic butter not only enhances the flavor but gives the sliders a beautiful golden top when baked.

Make It Ahead or Freeze for Later

Another big plus is that Buffalo Chicken Sliders are freezer-friendly. You can assemble them ahead of time, wrap the baking dish tightly with foil, and freeze. When you’re ready to enjoy, just thaw in the fridge overnight and bake as usual. You can even freeze the cooked sliders individually, making them great for meal prep or quick weekday lunches.

You can also prepare the chicken mixture a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Then, when you’re ready to bake, just assemble the sliders and pop them in the oven. This make-ahead capability makes it a great choice for entertaining without the last-minute rush.

Serving Suggestions and Pairings

These sliders pair wonderfully with a variety of side dishes. Here are a few ideas to complete the meal:

  • Crispy French Fries or Sweet Potato Fries: Keep things classic and casual.

  • Coleslaw: The creamy, tangy slaw balances the heat and adds a nice crunch.

  • Celery and Carrot Sticks: A nod to traditional buffalo wings, plus a healthy, cooling side.

  • Macaroni and Cheese: For the ultimate comfort food combo.

  • Corn on the Cob: Sweet corn offsets the heat perfectly.

You can also serve them with extra ranch or blue cheese on the side for dipping, along with pickles or jalapeños for a flavor boost. Don’t forget the napkins, these sliders can get deliciously messy!

Great for Gatherings of All Kinds

If you’re looking for a dish that works across various occasions, this is it. Buffalo Chicken Sliders are beloved for game day parties, Super Bowl Sundays, summer barbecues, family gatherings, birthday parties, and more. Because the recipe can easily be doubled or even tripled, it’s ideal for feeding a crowd. And if you happen to have any leftovers (unlikely!), they reheat well the next day.

You can even turn this into a fun DIY slider bar. Lay out the buffalo chicken filling, buns, and a variety of toppings, like extra cheese, ranch, blue cheese crumbles, jalapeños, or crispy onions and let guests assemble their own sliders just the way they like them.

Tips for the Best Buffalo Chicken Sliders

  1. Use Fresh, Soft Buns: This ensures that each bite is pillowy and doesn’t get soggy.

  2. Don’t Overdo the Sauce: You want the chicken to be well-coated, but not swimming in buffalo sauce. Too much liquid can make the buns soggy.

  3. Cover with Foil First: This allows the sliders to heat through evenly without drying out. Then remove the foil for the last few minutes to crisp up the tops.

  4. Let Them Rest: After baking, let the sliders sit for a few minutes before slicing. This helps them hold together better when serving.

  5. Add Crunch: If desired, top with crushed fried onions or coleslaw for a crunchy texture contrast.

Conclusion

Buffalo Chicken Sliders are the perfect combination of bold flavor, ease of preparation, and crowd-pleasing appeal. With tender chicken, spicy buffalo sauce, gooey melted cheese, and buttery buns, they satisfy comfort food cravings in every bite. Whether you’re planning your next party, prepping for game day, or just need a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner, this recipe has you covered.

Not only are these sliders customizable and freezer-friendly, but they’re also incredibly fun to eat and serve. So go ahead, spice things up and bring home the flavor with a tray of delicious Buffalo Chicken Sliders. Once you try them, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them.

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