BBQ Chicken Sliders

These BBQ Chicken Sliders are simple and easy to make, loaded with flavor, and the perfect quick dinner or game day recipe. Made with pulled chicken and your favorite barbecue sauce.

If you're craving more savory and delicious barbecue recipes, then be sure to try making a batch of Barbecue Cornbread Muffins or Baked BBQ Chicken Thighs and BBQ French Bread Pizza.

There is nothing like a quick and easy recipe. Wouldn't you agree? And bonus points if it only requires a few basic ingredients and 30 minutes to make. That's exactly what you get with this BBQ chicken sliders recipe.

It contains shredded chicken, your favorite barbecue sauce, quickly sauteed red onions, and a layer of smoked gouda cheese. It is saucy, cheesy, and amazingly packed with flavor. Plus it's also a perfect game day recipe! Be sure to save this recipe and give it a try soon, I promise you won't regret it.

Let's get started!

Pulled BBQ Chicken Ingredients

1. Slider Buns - Use a 12-pack of slider rolls to make this recipe. I chose to use the savory rolls, but if you prefer to use the sweet version, then they will work as well.
2. Chicken - For this recipe, you will need a pound of cooked and shredded chicken. A rotisserie chicken or any premade shredded chicken or pulled chicken will work as well.
3. BBQ Sauce - Use any that you prefer, but try to select an original flavored barbecue sauce.
4. Red Onion - Adds additional flavor and pairs well with the flavor of barbecue sauce. Try using some Quick Pickled Red Onions instead.
5. Cheese - For this recipe, I decided to go with some thinly sliced smoked gouda, for more of that smokey flavor, but you may use any that you prefer. Try using white cheddar or Monterey jack.
6. Butter - This will help to make the sauce that will top the sliders and bake into the bread for a nice buttery bite.
7. Parsley - Use the fresh parsley that can be located in the produce section of the grocery store. Add a bit of freshness to the sauce that will be drizzled on top of the BBQ pulled chicken sliders.
8. Salt & Ground Black Pepper - Brings out the flavors of the recipe and adds some seasoning. If you need more, then feel free to add more.

See the recipe card below for exact ingredient quantities and instructions.

Recipe Variations

• Spicy: Make these sliders spicy by adding some pickled jalapenos or banana peppers to the layers on top of the red onion.
• Bacon: Add some bacon for some additional salty and smokey flavor.
• Cheese: Swap the gouda cheese for sharp cheddar cheesy or Monterey, use shredded or sliced cheese.
• Coleslaw: For some additional flavor and crunch, add some already made coleslaw to the layers after baking.

How to Make Pulled Chicken

There are a few different ways to make pulled chicken which is also known as shredded chicken. Here are a few easy options and any can be used to make this slider recipe.

• Rotisserie - This is my favorite shortcut way to make pulled chicken. Simply purchase a prepared rotisserie chicken from your local grocery store and pull the meat off the bone with gloved or clean hands. At certain deli sections in stores you may be able to find this already done and in a container to grab and go.
• Restaurant - Head to your local BBQ restaurant and ask for a pound of pulled BBQ chicken. This option is ready to add to your favorite savory buns or Hawaiian buns.
• Oven or Stovetop - You can boil, saute, or bake boneless skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs. After it's fully cooked, allow it to cool slightly before shredding it by hand using two forks or a stand mixer with the paddle attachment on low for 15 to 20 seconds.
• Slow Cooker - Add boneless chicken breast or chicken thighs and enough barbecue sauce to cover the chicken. Cover it and allow it to cook on low for about 4 hours. Once done, shred it in the slow cooker using two forks. If you go with this step, simply add it directly to the buns and continue with the rest of the instructions.
• Pressure Cooker - Place boneless chicken breasts or thighs into the pressure cooker. Add 1 cup of water or chicken broth. Cover and cook on manual setting for about 5 minutes. Drain off the liquid and shred using two forks or a stand mixer.

How to Make Pulled Chicken Sliders

Before beginning the recipe, cook the chicken and shred it to your desired texture. Next, thinly slice the red onion and sauté it using a small non-stick skillet until the onions are soft and translucent. The goal is to cook the onion until it no longer has the raw, hard texture. Once these steps are complete, set aside.

In a medium-sized bowl, stir together the shredded chicken and barbecue sauce until the chicken is fully coated in the sauce.

Top a sheet pan with the bottom half of the slider buns. You can separate the slider buns or leave them connected together, either way, is fine. Spread the pulled BBQ chicken evenly over each slider bun.

Drizzle some barbecue sauce over each bun. The sauce really gives this recipe all of the flavor, so don’t be afraid to use more if desired. The messier the better, it is BBQ after all.

Evenly layer the red onion slices on top of the drizzled sauce. Top the red onion with an even layer of smoked gouda.

Add the top of the slider buns, cover the sheet pan with aluminum foil, and bake in the oven at 350 degrees F. for 15 minutes. While the chicken BBQ sliders are cooking in the oven, whisk together the butter, salt, ground black pepper, and parsley.

Remove the BBQ sliders from the oven, remove the foil, and brush the top of each slider with the butter mixture.

Place the sliders back into the oven to bake uncovered for 5 additional minutes until golden brown. Remove from the oven and serve warm. Enjoy!

Best Recipe Tips & Tricks

• May substitute with shredded rotisserie chicken instead for a quicker option.
• An easy way to shred the chicken is to add it to a stand mixer with the paddle attachment while still warm. Turn the mixer on level 2 and allow the mixer to do all of the work.
• You may substitute a different cheese for the smoked gouda. Try Monterey or cheddar cheese!
• If you prefer raw onions, skip the cooking step and add uncooked thinly sliced onion to the sliders instead.
• Serve the sliders with a side of additional barbecue sauce for dipping.

Storage Tips

Storage. If you have any leftovers, then be sure to store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating. When you are ready to serve them again, reheat them in the microwave or oven by wrapping them in aluminum foil and baking at 350 degrees F. for 5 to 10 minutes, until heated thoroughly.

Freezer. The cooked and completely cooled rolls may also be stored in the freezer in a freezer-safe container or plastic freezer bag for up to 30 days. Before serving, brush the top with melted butter and place into the oven at 350 degrees F. for 15 to 20 minutes.

Make Ahead Option

These chicken sliders can be made a day in advance all the way up until spreading the sauce on top before baking. Assemble the sliders, cover them, and store them in the refrigerator until you're ready to bake. Then prepare the butter sauce, top, and bake per the recipe instructions.

Want More Recipes You'll Love? Try These:

• Southern Baked Beans with Bacon
• Potato Salad
• Southern Coleslaw Recipe
• Cheesy Supreme Pizza Rolls
• Barbecue Cornbread Muffins
• Roast Beef & Swiss Cheese Sandwiches
• Philly Cheese Chicken Sandwich
• Toasted Steak Sandwich

Have any comments, questions, or other delicious ways to use this BBQ Shredded Chicken Sliders Recipe? Please share them in the comments below!

📖 Recipe

Original post date 08/28/2019. Updated 08/17/2022 and 8/15/2024.