Easy BBQ Chicken Sliders Recipe

Sliders are my superpower, and these BBQ Chicken Sliders will make you a superstar too! Ready in 30 minutes with just 15 minutes of prep, these sweet and smoky sliders on Hawaiian rolls are the perfect quick dinner using simple ingredients.

Why You’ll Love Them – Promise

Sliders are kinda my thing! I’m not one to brag, but with over a dozen slider recipes on my site, I think I’ve nailed it. I’ve been making variations on these buttery little sandwiches for decades.

Whether you want to be the MVP of game day or just need a fast weeknight dinner between ballet class and football practice, these BBQ Chicken Sliders are your answer. Smoky BBQ chicken, gooey cheddar cheese, sweet Hawaiian rolls, and the buttery glaze that makes them next-level good — if you haven’t tried it, you need to!

What are you waiting for? Grab the ingredients and go!

My Success Tips:

• Use rotisserie chicken, it saves time and tastes great!
• I have used white Cheddar, Havarti, smoked Gouda, mozzarella, you name it! Use your favorite melting cheese! Just shred it or slice it thin so it melts!
• Don’t skip the glaze—it’s essential!
• Slice the bottoms slightly thicker than the tops.
• Bake covered, then uncover for crispy edges.

With these tips, you’ll be rocking sliders like a pro, even on the busiest nights!

I enjoy giving precise details in my recipe posts to lead my readers through any questions. If you’re just here for the printable recipe, use the Jump to Recipe to head straight there!

How to Make Barbeque Chicken Sliders

First, preheat the oven to 350° F (175° C) and use butter or spray oil to lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. If preferred, line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper instead. 

Time to make the sammies! Set a medium skillet over medium-high heat, add some butter or oil, saute the onions until slightly browned, and remove the pan from the heat.

For the BBQ chicken mixture, stir the pre-cooked chicken and BBQ sauce in a separate large bowl.

Slice the Hawaiian rolls in half lengthwise, slicing the bottom buns slightly thicker than the top, this will help the bottoms from getting too soggy.

Place the bottom half of the slider rolls in the prepared baking dish and spread the BBQ chicken mixture on top. 

Place the cheese slices over the chicken and overlapping slightly, sprinkle the onions on the cheese, and cover the sliders with the top buns.

Now, mix the melted butter, garlic, and salt in a measuring cup or a small bowl, pouring it over the tops of the sandwiches. 

Lastly, sprinkle the sesame seeds all over the tops of the buns.

Then, cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake it for 15-20 minutes, removing the foil to bake for another 10 minutes until the tops are golden.

Garnish the freshly baked sliders with fresh chopped parsley, pull or slice them apart, and dig in!

While everyone else looks forward to watching their team, I tend to be most excited about the delicious food served on game days, and I know I’m not alone!

If you relate, you must try these hit game day snacks and appetizers, like my crowd-pleasing Cowboy Ranch Dip, served hot or cold and packed with savory, creamy, and cheesy flavors.

Another favorite is classic Pigs in a Blanket, and this recipe makes it easy and delicious using the air fryer. You can never go wrong with this Easy Beer Cheese Dip, perfect for dipping pretzels, bread, chips, veggies, and more!

Variations & Substitutions

• Leftover Chicken: You have several options for the pulled chicken. Buy a ready-to-go rotisserie chicken from your local grocery stores or deli, chopped or shredded chicken leftover from the night before, try this Air Fryer Turkey Thighs or skinless chicken breasts, or even use your leftover Thanksgiving turkey. You can also make the chicken fresh in a slow cooker or crock pot.
• Onions: If preferred, substitute the red onions for sweet, yellow, or white onions. Or, add a little crunch with French fried onions instead! Nom!
• Additional Toppings: Try the delicious sliders with pickles, fried okra, pickled red onions, sauteed peppers, or more of your favorite toppings.
• Cheese: Instead of white cheddar, top the sandwich with provolone, gouda, Swiss, Pepper Jack cheese or another tasty cheese variety. 
• Boost the Flavor of the Butter Topping: Sprinkle in some black pepper, a tablespoon or two of brown sugar, or add Worcestershire sauce to enhance the buttery topping flavor for the rolls. Similar to these funeral sandwiches.
• Pork Sliders: Replace the chicken with tender pulled pork.
• Buffalo Chicken Sliders: Substitute buffalo sauce for the BBQ for a tasty twist or use this Instant Pot Buffalo chicken recipe!

How to Make Gluten-Free Chicken Sliders

Purchase gluten-free slider buns (I like this brand), make sure your chicken is gluten-free as well as your barbecue sauce. Be careful with prepackaged sliced cheese, they sometimes add gluten products to preserve it.

Keto Low-Carb Barbecue Chicken Sliders

I have it on good authority that Aldi’s has killer keto slider buns! Replace the regular Hawaiian rolls with low-carb slider buns. Use a sugar-free barbecue sauce (my favorite), reduce the red onion to half and otherwise, you should be golden!

Storage Tips

Fridge: Keep leftover BBQ sliders in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.

Make ahead Barbeque Chicken Sliders (Fridge or Freezer)

Make dinner time easier by prepping and refrigerating or freezing it. Assemble the sliders and skip the buttery topping (you’ll add it just before baking). Then, wrap them in plastic wrap and place in the fridge, for up to 2 days, or freeze them well wrapped in an airtight container up to 3 months.

When ready to enjoy them, if frozen, thaw overnight in fridge or see below. Bring chicken sliders to room temperature while you preheat the oven, make the butter sauce and brush on the butter mixture, and bake as directed!

How to Bake BBQ Sliders from Frozen

If you’re short on time, you can still enjoy the sliders by baking them from frozen. Add the butter, cover the dish with foil (removing all plastic wrap), and bake for about 25 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for about 5 or 10 more minutes until heated through.

Best Sides to Serve with BBQ Chicken Sliders

What doesn’t go great with a small-size chicken slider? Here are a few of our favorites! A crisp green salad, like this Romaine steakhouse wedge salad, corn on the cob, Cowboy baked beans, steak fries, the usual picnic and potluck barbecue fair; potato salad and coleslaw. 

Best Drinks to Serve with Barbeque Chicken Sliders

Because great sliders deserve great drinks! You will love my strawberry refresher (great for those summer potlucks), this blueberry gin and tonic and this seasonal Pink Vodka Lemonade (with or without vodka) and for the holidays everyone will love this Holiday sangria.

More of my Favorite Easy Slider Recipes

• Ham and Cheese Sliders
• Turkey and Cheese Sliders
• Roast Beef Sliders
• Cheeseburger Sliders
• Meatball Sliders

Easy sandwiches are the best. Try these popular recipes: easy Cheesesteak or these Philly cheesesteak sliders. Speaking of sliders, you have to try these turkey cranberry sliders (great for leftover turkey). 

I hope you loved this Barbeque Chicken Sliders recipe— if you did, would you share your creation on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest? And be sure to comment below!