Nothing beats the sizzle of shredded chicken hitting a hot pan, especially when there’s buffalo sauce waiting nearby. These buffalo chicken sliders bring all that tangy, spicy comfort right to your dinner table. They’ve become the go-to when you need something satisfying fast.
Think tender chicken tossed in classic buffalo sauce, piled high on soft slider buns with crisp lettuce and a dollop of cool ranch. The whole thing comes together in about 20 minutes using rotisserie chicken from the store. Perfect for those nights when you want bold flavors without the fuss.
Started making these back in 2010 when my granddaughter Eleanor was learning to cook for her young family. She called them “little bites of happiness” after her first attempt. The secret I taught her? Mix a touch of honey into the buffalo sauce to balance that heat. She’s been making them for her girls ever since.
PrintBuffalo Chicken Sliders Perfect Weeknight Dinner
These Buffalo Chicken Sliders bring together spicy shredded chicken and melty cheese in fluffy buns, making them perfect for fast dinner recipes and football food gatherings. Enjoy a simple yet flavorful dish everyone will love.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 9 sliders 1x
- Category: Appetizer, Main Course
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Standard
Ingredients
- 9 pack slider buns
- 1 1/2 cups shredded chicken
- 1/2 cup Franks buffalo hot sauce
- 2 Tbsp ranch dressing
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp paprika
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 2 Tbsp butter
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Heat your oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×9 baking dish with parchment paper.
- Combine shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, ranch, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a bowl.
- Arrange the bottom slider buns on the baking dish.
- Distribute the chicken mixture evenly over the buns, sprinkle cheese on top, and cover with the top buns.
- Melt butter and mix with garlic powder and Italian seasoning, then brush onto the bun tops.
- Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes, then remove foil and bake another 5 to 10 minutes until cheese melts and buns turn golden.
- Slice and serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- For crisp tops, broil 2–3 minutes at the end
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 300 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g + 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Why These Buffalo Chicken Sliders Will Win Your Heart
There’s something magical about the way buffalo sauce clings to tender shredded chicken, creating that perfect balance of heat and comfort. These sliders remind me of Sunday gatherings where little hands would reach for seconds before finishing their firsts.
The beauty lies in their simplicityno fancy techniques, just honest ingredients working together. The garlic butter brushed on top creates golden, pillowy buns that give way to that saucy, cheesy filling inside.
- Ready in 35 minutes: Perfect for busy weeknights when you need a satisfying meal fast
- Crowd-pleasing flavors: Features that classic buffalo taste everyone craves
- Make-ahead friendly: Assemble them ahead, then simply pop them in the oven when ready to bake
Your Essential Ingredients and Tools
The magic of these buffalo chicken sliders starts with simple pantry staples that pack a serious flavor punch. Gathering everything before you begin streamlines the process, making your time in the kitchen enjoyable.
For the chicken filling, you’ll combine shredded chicken with Frank’s buffalo hot sauce, ranch dressing, and a blend of seasonings including salt, ground black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. The slider buns get topped with shredded cheese and that heavenly garlic butter made from butter, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
| Essential Tools | Why You Need It |
|---|---|
| 9×9 baking dish | Perfect size for 9 sliders to nestle together |
| Pastry brush | For that golden garlic butter finish |
| Mixing bowls | One for chicken, one for garlic butter |
| Parchment paper | Easy cleanup and prevents sticking |
How the Magic Happens Step by Step
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a 9×9 baking dish with parchment paper. In a bowl, you’ll mix the shredded chicken with Frank’s buffalo hot sauce, ranch dressing, and all those warm spicessalt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
Place the bottom halves of your slider buns in the prepared dish, then divide the saucy chicken mixture evenly among them. Sprinkle the shredded cheese on top, then crown each with the top bun. Meanwhile, melt the butter and stir in the garlic powder and Italian seasoning for that finishing touch.
Brush the tops with the garlic butter mixture, cover with foil, and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for 5-10 minutes until the tops turn golden and the cheese melts into gooey perfection.
Simple Swaps for Every Kitchen
These sliders are wonderfully forgiving, much like the best family recipes often are. If Frank’s buffalo hot sauce isn’t in your pantry, any quality buffalo sauce will work beautifullyjust taste as you go.
The shredded chicken is perfect for using up rotisserie chicken from the store, but leftover cooked chicken works just as well. For the cheese, sharp cheddar or Monterey Jack make excellent alternatives to whatever shredded cheese you have on hand.
| Original Ingredient | Easy Swap | Flavor Note |
|---|---|---|
| Frank’s buffalo hot sauce | Any buffalo sauce | Adjust heat to your family’s taste |
| Ranch dressing | Blue cheese dressing | More traditional buffalo flavor |
| Slider buns | Dinner rolls | Slightly larger portions |
| Shredded cheese | Pepper jack | Extra spicy kick |
Serving and Storage Wisdom
These buffalo chicken sliders shine brightest served immediately while the cheese is still melty and the buns are warm. They make perfect football food alongside some crispy celery sticks and extra ranch for dipping.
If you happen to have leftoversthough that’s rarely the case in my experiencethey’ll keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes to restore that just-baked warmth.
- Best served with: Celery sticks, carrot sticks, and extra ranch or blue cheese
- Make-ahead tip: Assemble completely, cover, and refrigerate up to 4 hours before baking
- Freezer friendly: Wrap individual sliders and freeze up to 2 months
Expert Says
Buffalo chicken sliders balance protein and flavor while benefiting from the capsaicin in hot sauce, which may boost metabolism and provide anti-inflammatory properties. Using shredded chicken ensures even sauce distribution, enhancing taste and texture in every bite. Toasted buns add a satisfying crunch and prevent sogginess.
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The Journey to Perfect Buffalo Chicken Sliders
It took several rounds to get these Buffalo Chicken Sliders just rightearly attempts were either too spicy or too dry. Slowly, I learned to balance the heat with creamy cooling and soft buns, creating a recipe that’s now a surefire family favorite, full of warmth and comfort every time we gather around the table.
FAQs ( Buffalo Chicken Sliders
)
How can I make Buffalo Chicken Sliders spicier?
To increase the heat, add more hot sauce or mix in cayenne pepper to the sauce. Using a spicier wing sauce variety can also help. Balancing the spice with creamy ingredients like ranch or blue cheese dressing will keep flavors smooth without overpowering the sliders.
What is the best type of bun for this recipe?
Soft slider buns or small brioche buns work perfectly, as they hold the filling without falling apart. Toasting the buns lightly adds texture and prevents sogginess. Choose buns that are slightly sweet to complement the spicy and tangy flavor of the dish.
Can I prepare the sliders ahead of time?
Yes, you can cook and shred the chicken in advance, then mix it with the sauce when ready to serve. Assemble sliders right before eating to keep buns from getting soggy. This flexibility makes it a great option for fast dinners or football food prep.
What side dishes pair well with this meal?
Classic sides like celery sticks and carrot sticks with ranch dip balance the spice nicely. French fries or coleslaw add satisfying texture and flavor contrast. For a lighter option, consider a crisp garden salad or pickles to refresh the palate.
How can I make this dish keto-friendly?
Swap slider buns for lettuce wraps or low-carb bread to reduce carbs. Use full-fat ingredients like blue cheese and mayonnaise to boost fat content. Ensure the wing sauce contains no added sugars to keep it keto compliant without losing signature flavor.
You’ll love how these buffalo chicken sliders turn out in just 35 minutesgolden tops giving way to that perfect combination of tangy buffalo heat and cooling ranch. The aroma alone will have everyone gathering in the kitchen, and that first bite delivers exactly the comfort you’re craving. There’s something deeply satisfying about watching those cheese-topped buns emerge from the oven, bubbling and ready.
A trick from my own kitchen: let the sliders rest for just two minutes after baking so the filling settles beautifully. Try adding a thin slice of red onion for extra bite, or swap in pepper jack cheese when you want more heat. These keep wonderfully in the refrigerator for three daysjust reheat gently in a low oven to bring back that fresh-baked warmth.
I’d love to see how these turn out in your kitchenshare a photo and tell me what memories they stir up. Did you grow up with buffalo flavors bringing the family together on game days? Save this recipe for those nights when you need something that feels like a warm hug. There’s pure joy in watching loved ones reach for seconds before finishing their firsts.
