These BBQ Chicken Sliders come together quickly with shredded rotisserie chicken, tangy BBQ sauce, jarred jalapeño rings, and melty pepper Jack cheese. They deliver big flavor in a small bite and are ideal for game-day gatherings, casual parties, or a busy weeknight dinner.
If you enjoy sliders, try other easy options like Turkey Burger Sliders or Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sliders.
I admit I sometimes over-plan when hosting. I imagine having endless time, being relaxed, dressed nicely and sipping wine while everything comes together. Real life rarely matches that fantasy: there’s grocery shopping, cleaning, errands, and interruptions. Over time I’ve learned to simplify party menus, especially game-day food, so I can enjoy my guests instead of stressing in the kitchen.
These BBQ Chicken Sliders are one of my favorite simple recipes — quick to assemble, crowd-pleasing, and perfect for entertaining or an easy dinner any night of the week.
Table of contents
- Ingredient Notes
- How to Make BBQ Chicken Sliders
- Make the BBQ Chicken Filling
- Assemble and Bake the Sliders
- Storage and Reheating Tips
- More Rotisserie Chicken Recipes You’ll Love
Ingredient Notes
- Rotisserie chicken: One medium rotisserie chicken provides plenty of shredded breast meat for this recipe — about 3½ cups.
- BBQ sauce: Use your favorite brand and style. A milder sauce keeps the sliders balanced; use a sweeter or spicier sauce if you prefer.
- Jarred jalapeño rings: Tamed (mild) jalapeño rings add flavor with a touch of heat. Choose hot rings if you want more spice.
- Cheese: Pepper Jack melts nicely and adds a subtle kick. Havarti, smoked gouda, or Monterey Jack are good alternatives.
- Fresh produce: Thinly sliced red onion and fresh cilantro brighten the sliders.
- Slider rolls: Potato-style slider rolls or other soft rolls work well. I avoid very sweet rolls like Hawaiian here, since a less-sweet bun pairs better with the BBQ filling.
How to Make BBQ Chicken Sliders
Below is a concise overview of the steps. Detailed measurements and timing are in the recipe card.
Make the BBQ Chicken Filling
- Combine shredded rotisserie chicken, BBQ sauce, and diced jarred jalapeño rings in a large bowl.
- Stir until the chicken is evenly coated and the ingredients are well mixed.
Assemble and Bake the Sliders
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
- Place the bottom halves of the slider rolls on the prepared pan. Divide the chicken mixture evenly among the bottoms and drizzle additional BBQ sauce over each if desired.
- Add a few thin slices of red onion and a sprinkle of cilantro to each slider.
- Top with shredded pepper Jack cheese, cover with the roll tops, and tent the pan with foil.
- Bake covered for 12 minutes. Meanwhile, mix melted butter and granulated garlic (or garlic powder).
- Remove foil, brush the tops with the butter mixture, add a pinch of freshly ground black pepper, and return the pan to the oven, uncovered, for 5–8 more minutes until the cheese is melted and the buns are lightly toasted.
Kitchen Tip
If your slider buns are in a single sheet, separate them into two groups of six before slicing to make even cuts and easier handling.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, microwave individual sliders for 1–2 minutes until warm, or wrap in foil and warm in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes to restore toasted texture and melted cheese.
More Rotisserie Chicken Recipes You’ll Love
- Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Dip
- Creamy Southwest Chicken Soup
- Southwest Chicken Tortilla Pinwheels
- Chicken Stuffing Bake
- Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Avocado Chicken Salad
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BBQ Chicken Sliders
Ingredients
- 3½ cups shredded rotisserie chicken breast
- ¾ cup BBQ sauce
- ⅓ cup diced jarred jalapeño pepper rings
- 12 slider rolls
- ⅓ cup thinly sliced red onion
- ¼ cup cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
- 1¼ cup shredded pepper Jack cheese
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- ¼ teaspoon granulated garlic or garlic powder
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet or pan with parchment paper or foil for easier cleanup.
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Place the shredded chicken in a large bowl. Add ½ cup BBQ sauce and the diced jalapeño rings, then stir to combine.
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Slice the slider buns if needed. Arrange the bottom halves on the prepared pan. Divide the chicken mixture among the bottoms, drizzle with remaining BBQ sauce as desired, add red onion slices and cilantro, then top with cheese and the bun tops.
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Cover the pan with foil and bake for 12 minutes.
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Mix melted butter with granulated garlic. Remove the foil, brush the tops with the butter mixture, sprinkle with black pepper, and bake uncovered for 5–8 minutes until cheese is melted and buns are lightly toasted.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate calculated from generic ingredients; consult your product labels for precise values.
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This post was originally published on January 25, 2012, and has been updated with new text and images.