If you need a dinner that feels a little fun but still comes together fast, these BBQ chicken sliders on Hawaiian rolls are where it’s at.
They’re made with shredded chicken tossed in a simple doctored up BBQ sauce (nothing fancy, just a few pantry staples), layered with melty cheese, and baked on soft Hawaiian rolls until warm and golden.
This is one of those recipes I reach for when:
- I’ve got leftover chicken to use up
- We need something quick before running out the door
- I’m feeding a group and don’t want to overthink it
They’re easy, require very little brain power (ha!), and always disappear fast. That buttery, garlicky top might be my favorite part...
These are one of my favorite easy harvest meals because they can feed a hungry crew fast without much prep!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy – ready in about 25 minutes. Winning!
- Great for leftovers – perfect for rotisserie or crockpot chicken
- Family-friendly – these mini sandwiches have simple flavors everyone loves
- Perfect for feeding a crowd – game day, grad parties, or busy farm nights
- Make-ahead friendly – assemble ahead and bake when ready
This is one of my favorite easy chicken slider recipes when I need something fast but still want the comfort food feel of homemade.
If you've already made my Instant Pot shredded BBQ chicken or crockpot BBQ chicken, this is the perfect way to use up the leftovers.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- 🛒 Ingredients You'll Need
- 🥣 How to Make BBQ Chicken Sliders
- Best Rolls for BBQ Chicken Sliders
- Using Crockpot BBQ Chicken
- Pulled Chicken vs. Shredded Chicken
- Add Coleslaw for Extra Flavor
- Easy Tips For the Best Sliders
- Make-Ahead + Storage Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Easy Slider Recipes
- Recipe
- 💬 Reviews
🛒 Ingredients You'll Need
Here's what you'll need from the pantry and fridge.
- Shredded cooked chicken - chicken breast or chicken thighs both work here. Using rotisserie chicken is also a great shortcut.
- BBQ sauce - Use whatever brand you like! This recipe balances store-bought sauce with a few pantry ingredients to make it taste homemade.
- Brown sugar
- Apple cider vinegar
- Worcestershire sauce
- Garlic powder
- Slider buns (Hawaiian rolls are great here) - note that not all brands have the same size rolls. Any size will work; you just want to be aware.
- Cheese: I used shredded mozzarella cheese (cheddar works too)
- For the topping: Butter & garlic powder
See recipe card below for specific quantities and ingredient list.
If you love chicken sliders you'll enjoy my chicken bacon ranch sliders too.
🥣 How to Make BBQ Chicken Sliders
- Make the BBQ chicken mixture. In a large bowl, stir together shredded chicken, BBQ sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder.
- Assemble the sliders. Slice the slider buns in half horizontally (keep them connected) and place the bottom half in a greased 9×13 baking dish.
Spread the BBQ chicken evenly over the buns.
- Layer and top. Sprinkle cheese over the top, then place the top buns on.
Mix melted butter and garlic powder, then brush the butter mixture over the tops of the buns.
- Bake. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 10 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 5–10 minutes, until heated through and golden on top.
Serve warm and watch them disappear.
If your chicken is chilled, plan on the full bake time (or add a couple extra minutes covered) so the centers get nice and toasty.
Best Rolls for BBQ Chicken Sliders
Hawaiian rolls are my favorite rolls for BBQ chicken sliders because their slightly sweet flavor pairs perfectly with smoky BBQ sauce. They add a slightly sweet flavor that pairs perfectly with BBQ chicken and get golden and soft in the oven.
You can also use:
Save This Recipe For Later
I'll email it to you, so you can come back to it later!
- Regular dinner rolls
- Potato rolls
- Any soft slider buns you have on hand
Just keep them connected for easy assembly and serving.
Using Crockpot BBQ Chicken
Let's talk about one of the easiest ways to make these sliders (which are great for field meals, by the way)!
If you already have crockpot BBQ chicken or Instant Pot shredded bbq chicken, you can skip the sauce step and go straight to assembling the sliders.
This is one of my favorite ways to turn leftovers into, well...not leftovers! And it's way more exciting than reheating it again. 😉
Pulled Chicken vs. Shredded Chicken
You might also see these called pulled BBQ chicken sliders, and that’s essentially the same thing. As long as your chicken is cooked and easy to pull apart, it works perfectly in this recipe.
Add Coleslaw for Extra Flavor
For a little crunch and freshness, try adding coleslaw right on top of the sliders.
BBQ chicken sliders with coleslaw are a classic combo—the creamy, tangy slaw balances the sweet BBQ sauce perfectly.
🍽 What to Serve with BBQ Chicken Sliders
These sliders are great on their own, but if you’re feeding a crowd, pair them with:
- Pickled red onions
- Coleslaw
- Pasta salad
- Baked beans
- Chips and dip
- Fresh fruit
For summer cookouts, I love serving these BBQ chicken sliders with pasta salad and baked beans. For harvest meals, chips and fresh fruit keep things simple.
Easy Tips For the Best Sliders
- Don’t skip the butter topping – this is what gives that bakery-style finish and makes them extra tasty
- Keep the buns connected – makes assembly (and serving) so much easier
- Use pre-cooked chicken – rotisserie chicken is a lifesaver here
- Cover first when baking – the foil on top keeps everything soft and melty
Make-Ahead + Storage Tips
- Reheat: Warm in the oven covered with foil so they don’t dry out
- Make ahead: Assemble the sliders, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking
- Leftover sliders: Store in the fridge for up to 3 days
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Rotisserie chicken is one of the easiest ways to make shredded chicken sliders quickly.
Absolutely. It makes this recipe even faster since the chicken is already sauced.
Yes. Bake first, then cool and freeze. Reheat in the oven for best texture.
Yes. Assemble the sliders without the butter topping, wrap tightly, and freeze. Thaw overnight in the fridge, add the topping, and bake as directed.
Yes! You can use cold, room temperature, or warm chicken. Since everything bakes together, it will heat through in the oven.
Yes. Assemble the sliders without the butter topping, wrap tightly, and freeze. Thaw overnight in the fridge, add the topping, and bake as directed.
If you make this recipe, I’d love to know what you think! Leave a ⭐ star rating and review in the recipe card below. It helps other readers and makes my day! 😉
More Easy Slider Recipes
If you like these, you’ll love:
Recipe
BBQ Chicken Sliders (Easy Baked Sliders)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Make the BBQ chicken mixture: In a large bowl, combine 3 cups shredded cooked chicken,¾ cup BBQ sauce, 1 Tablespoon brown sugar, 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce and ½ teaspoon garlic powder. Stir until well coated.
- Assemble the sliders: Slice 1 package slider buns in half (keeping them connected). Place the bottom half in a greased 9×13 baking dish.
- Layer the filling: Spread the BBQ chicken evenly over the buns. Sprinkle 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese on top, then place the top buns over the cheese.
- Add topping: In a small bowl, mix 2 Tablespoons butter melted and ½ teaspoon garlic powder. Brush evenly over the tops of the buns.
- Bake: Cover loosely with foil and bake for 10 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 5–10 minutes, until heated through and tops are golden. Serve warm and enjoy!
Comments
No Comments