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!
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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.
- 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.
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
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
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
Print
Chipotle BBQ Chicken Slider Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 sliders
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Chipotle Cheddar BBQ Chicken Sliders feature tender shredded chicken mixed with smoky barbecue sauce, layered with melted cheddar cheese and a spicy chipotle mayo, all tucked inside sweet Hawaiian rolls. Perfect for game day or casual gatherings, these sliders offer a flavorful combination of smoky, spicy, and cheesy elements that will satisfy any crowd.
Ingredients
BBQ Chicken
- 2 cups shredded boneless skinless chicken breast
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
Chipotle Mayo
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce
- ½ teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 clove garlic, finely minced or crushed
- ½ tablespoon chopped cilantro
- pinch of salt
Sliders
- 12 count Hawaiian sweet rolls
- 12 slices cheddar cheese (orange)
- ⅓ cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1 tablespoon melted butter, plus more for serving
- chopped parsley and chives, for serving
Instructions
- Prep and Toast the Rolls: Turn the oven to low broil. Slice the Hawaiian rolls in half and place on a lined baking sheet. Toast the halves, cut side up, watching carefully, until golden brown and toasted. Remove from the oven and then lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Make the Barbecue Chicken: Add the shredded chicken and barbecue sauce to a mixing bowl and stir until well combined.
- Make the Chipotle Mayo: Add the mayonnaise, chipotle pepper, sweet paprika, garlic, cilantro, and salt to a food processor or blender. Blend until well combined and then transfer to a small bowl.
- Assemble the Sliders: Brush the chipotle mayo on both sides of the toasted rolls. Then on the bottom halves of the rolls, place 6 slices of cheddar cheese, then layer on the barbecue chicken. Top the chicken with thinly sliced red onions and then place the remaining 6 slices of cheese on top.
- Top and Bake: Place the top halves of the rolls over the assembled chicken and cheese. Brush melted butter over the tops of the rolls and cover the baking sheet with aluminum foil.
- Bake Covered: Bake the covered baking sheet at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes to allow the cheese to melt thoroughly.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted and the rolls are golden brown and toasted on top.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped parsley and chives over the top sliders. Cut the sliders apart and serve warm.
Notes
- Use leftover rotisserie chicken to save time on shredding and cooking chicken breasts.
- Adjust the amount of chipotle pepper according to your spice preference.
- For a tangier BBQ flavor, use a vinegar-based barbecue sauce.
- Brush a little extra melted butter on the baking sheet edges before baking for extra crispness on the rolls.
- Substitute cheddar cheese with pepper jack for a spicier variation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
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