Buffalo Chicken Sliders are warm, cheesy, and packed with the perfect combination of spicy buffalo-style chicken and creamy ranch. Shredded chicken is tossed with hot sauce and ranch dressing, layered onto soft dinner rolls with plenty of melted cheese, then finished with a savory garlic butter topping.
These little sandwiches are easy to assemble and ideal for family dinners, parties, potlucks, or game-day spreads.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These easy buffalo chicken sliders deliver plenty of flavor without complicated preparation. Using already-cooked shredded chicken makes assembly especially quick, while ranch dressing balances the heat of the hot sauce.
The combination of fluffy rolls, saucy chicken, and gooey melted cheese makes them wonderfully satisfying. A buttery topping seasoned with garlic and Italian herbs gives the rolls a golden, savory finish.
They are also easy to serve to a crowd. Bake the whole batch together, slice between the individual rolls, and they are ready for sharing.
Ingredients
For the Sliders
- 12 dinner rolls
- 3 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 2 cups shredded Mexican-blend cheese
- ½ cup ranch dressing
- ⅓ cup hot sauce
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
For the Butter Topping
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- If needed, prepare the shredded chicken and allow it to cool enough to handle.
- In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, ranch dressing, hot sauce, salt, and black pepper. Stir until the chicken is thoroughly coated.
- Keeping the dinner rolls connected, carefully slice them horizontally through the middle to create one large bottom layer and one large top layer.
- Place the bottom half of the rolls in a 9×13-inch baking dish or on a rimmed baking sheet.
- Spread the buffalo chicken mixture evenly over the bottom rolls.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the chicken, making sure the filling reaches the edges.
- Place the top half of the rolls over the cheese.
- Combine the melted butter, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder in a small bowl. Brush the mixture generously over the tops of the rolls.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake the Buffalo Chicken Sliders for 15 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for another 5 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and the tops of the rolls are lightly golden.
- Let the sliders rest for a few minutes, then separate or slice them into individual portions and serve warm.
Tips & Tricks
Use cooked chicken breast, chicken thighs, or leftover roasted chicken for these shredded chicken sliders. Just make sure any chicken you use is halal-certified when preparing a halal-friendly version.
Choose a hot sauce based on your preferred spice level. For milder sliders, slightly reduce the hot sauce or add a little extra ranch dressing.
Shredding your own cheese can give you a particularly smooth melt, but a packaged Mexican-style cheese blend is convenient and works well.
Keep the rolls connected while assembling the sliders. This makes it much easier to distribute the filling evenly and bake everything as one large batch.
Do not skip the initial covered baking time. The foil helps warm the filling and melt the cheese without allowing the tops of the rolls to brown too quickly.
Details
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 sliders
- Category: Appetizer, Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Difficulty: Easy
- Dietary Notes: Halal-friendly when made with halal-certified chicken, cheese, ranch dressing, hot sauce, and rolls
Notes
For extra-creamy cheesy chicken sliders, add a little more ranch dressing to the chicken mixture or serve additional ranch on the side.
Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, cheddar, or a combination of cheeses can replace the Mexican cheese blend.
You can also add thinly sliced green onions after baking for extra freshness and color.
Serve these sliders with crunchy vegetables, potato wedges, coleslaw, corn salad, or a simple green salad. For a party spread, pair them with celery and carrot sticks and additional ranch dressing.
Nutrition
Approximate nutrition per slider:
- Calories: 280
- Protein: 17 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fat: 15 g
Nutrition information is an estimate and varies depending on the rolls, chicken, cheese, dressing, and hot sauce used.
FAQ
What are Buffalo Chicken Sliders?
They are small baked sandwiches filled with shredded chicken mixed with hot sauce and creamy dressing. Cheese is layered over the chicken before the sliders are baked until warm and melted.
What kind of cheese is best for buffalo chicken sliders?
Mexican-blend cheese works particularly well because it melts easily and adds plenty of flavor. Cheddar, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or a cheddar-Jack combination are also good choices.
Can I prepare buffalo chicken sliders ahead of time?
Yes. Prepare the chicken mixture ahead and refrigerate it in an airtight container. For the best texture, assemble and bake the sliders closer to serving time so the rolls don’t become overly soft.
How can I make the sliders less spicy?
Reduce the amount of hot sauce and increase the ranch slightly. You can also choose a mild buffalo-style hot sauce and serve extra ranch alongside the finished sliders.
What chicken should I use for this buffalo chicken sliders recipe?
Cooked and shredded chicken breast or thigh meat both work. Leftover chicken is also convenient, provided it has a relatively neutral seasoning that complements the buffalo sauce.
Are baked buffalo chicken sliders good for parties?
Yes. Baked buffalo chicken sliders are particularly convenient for parties because a whole batch can be assembled and baked together before being separated into individual portions.
Storage
Transfer cooled leftover sliders to an airtight container or wrap them tightly and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
For freezing, individually wrap cooled sliders and place them in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 1 month for the best texture. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheat refrigerated sliders in a 325°F (165°C) oven, loosely covered with foil, until the filling is hot and the cheese is melted. Remove the foil for the final few minutes if you want the tops to become slightly crisp again.
Similar Recipes
Buffalo Chicken Sliders Easy Cheesy Baked Sliders
Ingredients
For the Sliders
- 12 dinner rolls
- 3 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 2 cups shredded Mexican-blend cheese
- ½ cup ranch dressing
- ⅓ cup hot sauce
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
For the Butter Topping
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- If needed, prepare the shredded chicken and allow it to cool enough to handle.
- In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, ranch dressing, hot sauce, salt, and black pepper. Stir until the chicken is thoroughly coated.
- Keeping the dinner rolls connected, carefully slice them horizontally through the middle to create one large bottom layer and one large top layer.
- Place the bottom half of the rolls in a 9×13-inch baking dish or on a rimmed baking sheet.
- Spread the buffalo chicken mixture evenly over the bottom rolls.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the chicken, making sure the filling reaches the edges.
- Place the top half of the rolls over the cheese.
- Combine the melted butter, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder in a small bowl. Brush the mixture generously over the tops of the rolls.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake the Buffalo Chicken Sliders for 15 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for another 5 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and the tops of the rolls are lightly golden.
- Let the sliders rest for a few minutes, then separate or slice them into individual portions and serve warm.
Notes
Conclusion
Buffalo Chicken Sliders combine spicy, creamy, cheesy, and buttery flavors in one easy baked dish. With tender shredded chicken, ranch, hot sauce, melted cheese, and soft rolls brushed with seasoned garlic butter, every layer brings something delicious to the table.
Whether you’re planning an easy family meal or preparing game day chicken sliders for a crowd, this straightforward recipe makes it simple to serve warm, satisfying sandwiches everyone can grab and enjoy.