There’s something incredibly satisfying about juicy bites stacked with bold flavors, and this Chipotle BBQ Chicken Slider Recipe totally nails that. Tender BBQ chicken meets smoky chipotle mayo and melty cheddar on sweet Hawaiian rolls—your taste buds are in for a treat!

There are nine small square sandwiches with golden brown soft tops sprinkled with chopped green herbs arranged in a 3x3 grid on brown paper. Each sandwich has layers of shredded orange cheese, reddish-brown sauced meat, and thin slices of purple onion peeking out from between the warm, toasted white buns. To the left is a round wooden bowl filled with dark brown sauce and a wooden spoon resting in it. Around the sandwiches, there are ridged golden potato chips scattered on the white marbled surface, along with sliced yellow pickles and some raw purple onion rings. In the top left corner, a basket holds more ridged golden chips, and on the right, a glass-brimmed drink with lemon wedges in a woven holder sits partially in frame. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chipotle BBQ Chicken Slider Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Chipotle BBQ Chicken Slider Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Chipotle BBQ Chicken Slider Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, this recipe became an instant favorite in my house. It’s simple, yet every bite offers a perfect balance of smoky, sweet, and spicy flavors that make you want another—and another! Plus, sliders are just plain fun to eat.

Bold Flavor Combo: The chipotle and BBQ sauce bring smoky heat that’s balanced by creamy mayo and sharp cheddar.
Quick & Easy: It comes together fast—perfect for weeknight dinners or last-minute gatherings.
Family Friendly: Everyone loves sliders, and you can easily customize the heat or toppings.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Prep the chicken and mayo early for stress-free assembly when you’re ready to eat.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays its role in creating this Chipotle BBQ Chicken Slider Recipe magic. From the tender chicken soaking up the BBQ sauce to the subtle smoky heat in the chipotle mayo—it’s all about layering flavors that complement one another.

Flat lay of a white ceramic bowl of shredded boneless skinless chicken breast, a small white bowl filled with rich reddish-brown barbecue sauce, a small white bowl containing creamy mayonnaise, one fresh chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, a small heap of bright orange sweet paprika powder, one whole garlic clove with intact skin, a few sprigs of fresh green cilantro, a small pinch of coarse salt crystals, twelve golden Hawaiian sweet rolls with a shiny crust, twelve slices of vivid orange cheddar cheese, a small pile of thinly sliced red onion rings, a small white bowl with melted golden butter, and a few sprigs of vibrant chopped parsley and chives, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Shredded chicken breast: Use cooked, shredded chicken as the base; it’s super versatile and soaks up all the BBQ sauce beautifully.
Barbecue sauce: Choose your favorite smoky or sweet style—it’s the star sauce here.
Mayonnaise: Adds creaminess to the chipotle mayo, balancing out the spice.
Chipotle pepper in adobo sauce: Gives that signature smoky heat with a touch of tanginess—don’t skip it!
Sweet paprika: Enhances the smoky note gently without overpowering.
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic lifts the mayo with pungent, savory depth.
Chopped cilantro: Brightens the chipotle mayo with fresh herbal zing.
Salt: Essential for seasoning and bringing all the flavors together.
Hawaiian sweet rolls: Their pillowy softness and sweetness perfectly contrast the smoky, spicy meat.
Cheddar cheese: Sharp, melty cheddar adds richness and gooey comfort.
Red onion: Thin slices add crunch and a slight bite to freshen up each slider.
Butter: Brushed on rolls, it helps toast and brown them beautifully.
Parsley and chives: Fresh herbs for garnish add color and a little herbal freshness.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I like to switch things up depending on the season or who I’m feeding. This Chipotle BBQ Chicken Slider Recipe is a fantastic base that invites creativity—don’t be afraid to add your own favorite twists.

Variation: I sometimes swap cheddar for pepper jack cheese to amp up the heat, and it never disappoints!
Make it lighter: Use Greek yogurt in place of mayo for a tangy twist that cuts through the richness.
Make it vegetarian: Try using grilled portobello mushrooms or jackfruit instead of chicken for a meat-free but hearty alternative.
Extra crunch: Add pickles or slaw inside the sliders for a burst of freshness and contrasting texture.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Chipotle BBQ Chicken Slider Recipe

A sandwich on a soft, browned bun with a shiny top sprinkled with small green chopped herbs. Inside, there are layers of shredded meat mixed with melted orange cheese and thin slices of purple onion. The sandwich is placed on a white marbled surface with some ridged potato chips nearby, which are orange and have small green herb bits on them. A wicker basket is blurred in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Toast the Rolls to Golden Perfection

First off, set your oven to low broil—it’s all about getting those Hawaiian rolls perfectly toasted without burning. Slice the rolls in half and line them cut side up on a baking sheet. Keep a close eye so they turn a beautiful golden brown. This step adds texture and flavor that really makes these sliders sing.

Step 2: Mix the BBQ Chicken Filling

In a large bowl, combine your shredded chicken and barbecue sauce. Stir well so every shred is luscious and coated. You want enough sauce to keep the chicken moist but not soggy—balancing is key. I like to taste it here and tweak with more sauce or a pinch of seasoning if needed.

Step 3: Whip Up the Smoky Chipotle Mayo

Pop the mayo, chipotle pepper, smoked paprika, minced garlic, cilantro, and a pinch of salt into a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. This mayo is where the chipotle flavor shines—it gives the sliders a creamy, smoky kick that’s unforgettable. If you want it milder, use less chipotle pepper.

Step 4: Build and Bake Your Sliders

Brush that chipotle mayo on both sides of your toasted roll halves. On the bottom half, lay down half the cheddar cheese slices, then pile on the BBQ chicken generously. Add thinly sliced red onions on top for crunch, and cover with the remaining cheese slices. Sandwich with the top roll halves, brush melted butter on the tops, then cover with foil.

Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes covered, then uncover and bake 10-15 more minutes until the cheese is bubbly and the tops are golden. You’ll end up with ooey-gooey, perfectly toasted sliders—trust me, they disappear fast!

Top Tip

From my experience making these sliders a handful of times, these tips have helped me get the best texture and flavor each time. You want to nail the balance between smoky, sweet, and spicy without one overpowering the others.

Watch the Broil: Toasting rolls is quick—keep an eye so they don’t burn. Golden is perfect.
Don’t Over-Sauce Chicken: You want moisture but not soggy sliders. Add BBQ sauce gradually while mixing.
Chipotle Mayo Balance: Start with one chipotle pepper—it’s smoky and spicy. Add less if you prefer milder heat.
Covered Baking: Covering with foil first keeps the sliders moist. Removing the foil later crisps the tops perfectly.

How to Serve Chipotle BBQ Chicken Slider Recipe

chipotle BBQ chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping these sliders with freshly chopped parsley and chives—it adds a pop of color and a fresh, herbal brightness that balances the richness. Sometimes I throw on a few extra slices of pickled jalapeños for a tangy contrast.

Side Dishes

These sliders pair beautifully with crispy sweet potato fries, a crunchy coleslaw, or even a simple garden salad. For game days, I like serving a big bowl of tangy dill pickle spears alongside.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I’ve arranged the sliders on a wooden board layered with parchment paper, sprinkled with fresh herbs and served with small ramekins of extra chipotle mayo and BBQ sauce for dipping. It’s eye-catching and gets everyone diving in!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

You can store leftover sliders in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To keep the bread from getting too soggy, I recommend separating the chicken and bread if you know you’ll have leftovers. Reassemble before reheating.

Freezing

These sliders freeze well if wrapped tightly in foil and placed in a freezer bag. Freeze them before baking for best results. When you want to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge then bake as directed until heated through.

Reheating

I reheat leftover sliders wrapped in foil at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes. This helps the cheese melt without drying out the chicken. If reheating without foil, watch closely so the rolls don’t burn.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the Chipotle BBQ Chicken Slider Recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prep the BBQ chicken and chipotle mayo a day ahead and refrigerate separately. That way, when guests arrive, it’s a breeze to assemble and bake your sliders fresh.

What’s a good substitute for the Hawaiian rolls?

If you can’t find Hawaiian rolls, soft dinner rolls or slider buns work well. Just look for something slightly sweet and fluffy to complement the smoky-sweet chicken.

How spicy are these sliders?

They have a gentle smoky heat from the chipotle pepper in adobo, but it’s not overpowering. You can easily adjust the heat level by using less chipotle or omitting the pepper altogether for milder sliders.

Can I use store-bought rotisserie chicken?

Definitely! Using shredded rotisserie chicken saves time and adds great flavor. Just mix with your preferred BBQ sauce and you’re good to go.

Final Thoughts

I truly treasure this Chipotle BBQ Chicken Slider Recipe not just because it’s tasty but because it brings friends and family together so effortlessly. Whether it’s a casual weeknight meal or a festive game day, these sliders deliver comfort and flavor in every bite. I can’t wait for you to try them and make this recipe your own—it’s like sharing a little piece of my kitchen with you.