Honey Mustard Grilled Chicken Sliders combine juicy seasoned chicken, sweet and tangy honey Dijon sauce, fresh tomatoes, peppery arugula, and creamy aged cheddar on warm toasted buns. They’re small sandwiches with plenty of fresh, savory flavor packed into every bite.
These grilled chicken sliders are simple enough for a family dinner but also make a great choice for parties, game-day spreads, picnics, and casual entertaining.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These sliders offer a satisfying balance of sweet, savory, spicy, creamy, and fresh flavors. Honey mellows the sharpness of Dijon mustard, while a little cayenne gives the grilled chicken gentle heat.
The contrasting textures make them even better. Toasted slider buns provide a lightly crisp exterior, juicy chicken makes the center substantial, and fresh arugula and tomatoes add brightness.
The honey mustard chicken sliders can also be prepared on an indoor grill, outdoor grill, or skillet, so you can enjoy them regardless of the weather.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Salt, to taste
- 4 slider buns
- 2 tomatoes, sliced
- 1 cup baby arugula
- 4 slices aged cheddar cheese
Honey Mustard Dressing
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 4 tablespoons Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Add the honey and Dijon mustard to a small bowl. Whisk until smooth and completely combined. Set aside.
- Pat the chicken thoroughly dry with paper towels.
- Place the chicken in a bowl or shallow dish. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil, cayenne pepper, and salt, then turn the chicken until evenly coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour to allow the seasoning to flavor the meat.
- Remove the chicken from the refrigerator while preheating an indoor or outdoor grill to medium-high heat.
- Grill the chicken for approximately 3–5 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until browned and cooked through. Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) at its thickest point.
- Alternatively, heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat and cook the chicken for approximately 3–5 minutes per side, adjusting the cooking time according to thickness.
- Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and let it rest briefly before assembling the sliders.
- Lightly brush the cut sides of the slider buns with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Grill or toast them until lightly crisp and golden.
- Spread about 1 tablespoon of honey mustard dressing over the bottom half of each bun.
- Layer each bun with sliced tomato, grilled chicken, baby arugula, and a slice of aged cheddar.
- Add the top buns and serve the Honey Mustard Grilled Chicken Sliders immediately while the chicken is still warm.
Tips & Tricks
Chicken thighs are an excellent choice for particularly juicy sliders because their higher fat content makes them more forgiving on the grill. Chicken breasts work equally well when you prefer leaner meat.
If the chicken breasts are especially thick, slice or pound them to an even thickness. This promotes faster, more consistent cooking.
Use an instant-read thermometer rather than relying only on cooking time. Chicken is safely cooked when the thickest section reaches 165°F (74°C).
Adjust the cayenne according to your preferred heat level. Use less for family-friendly easy chicken sliders, or add a little extra for a spicier sandwich.
Toast the buns shortly before assembling. Their crisp surface provides a pleasant contrast to the juicy chicken and prevents the honey mustard dressing from soaking into the bread too quickly.
For even more honey Dijon flavor, brush a small amount of dressing over the cooked chicken just before assembling.
Details
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Marinating Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 10–15 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour 30 minutes
Yield: 4 sliders
Category: Main Course / Sandwich
Method: Grilling
Cuisine: American-inspired
Difficulty: Easy
Dietary Notes: Halal-friendly when prepared with halal chicken, halal-suitable cheese, Dijon mustard, and slider buns
Notes
Chicken thighs and chicken breasts are both suitable for this chicken slider recipe. If the pieces are larger than the buns, cut the cooked chicken into slider-sized portions before assembling.
Cheddar can be replaced with provolone, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or another favorite melting cheese.
For a milder sandwich, replace some or all of the arugula with baby spinach or crisp lettuce.
Add thinly sliced red onion, avocado, cucumber, or pickles for extra texture and flavor.
Check packaged Dijon mustard, cheese, and slider buns for halal suitability when needed.
Nutrition
Approximate nutrition per slider:
Calories: 450–520 kcal
Protein: 30–38g
Carbohydrates: 40–46g
Fat: 19–24g
Nutrition values are estimates and vary according to the chicken cut, cheese, buns, and amount of dressing used.
FAQ
Can I use chicken breast for Honey Mustard Grilled Chicken Sliders?
Yes. Boneless, skinless chicken breast works very well. Pound thicker breasts to an even thickness so they cook evenly without becoming dry.
Can I make these chicken sliders without a grill?
Absolutely. Cook the chicken in a nonstick or cast-iron skillet over medium to medium-high heat until browned and cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Can I make the honey mustard dressing ahead of time?
Yes. Mix the honey and Dijon mustard ahead of time and refrigerate it in an airtight container. Stir well before using.
What cheese goes best with grilled chicken sliders?
Aged cheddar provides a sharp, creamy contrast to sweet honey mustard. Provolone, mozzarella, Swiss-style cheese, and Monterey Jack are other good options.
What can I serve with honey mustard chicken sliders?
Potato wedges, sweet potato fries, coleslaw, roasted vegetables, corn salad, green salad, or fresh fruit all pair nicely with these mini sandwiches.
How can I make chicken sliders less spicy?
Reduce the cayenne pepper or leave it out completely. The honey mustard dressing will still provide plenty of flavor without the additional heat.
Storage
For best results, store leftover chicken, honey mustard dressing, vegetables, cheese, and buns separately.
Refrigerate cooked chicken in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days. Keep the honey mustard dressing refrigerated in a separate covered container.
Reheat the chicken gently in a skillet or covered in the oven until thoroughly hot. Assemble the sliders after reheating so the buns and vegetables maintain their texture.
Freezing fully assembled sliders isn’t recommended because tomatoes and arugula can become watery. The cooked chicken itself can be frozen in a suitable airtight container for up to 2 months.
Similar Recipes
Honey Mustard Grilled Chicken Sliders
Ingredients
Ingredients
- – 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts
- – 3 tablespoons olive oil divided
- – 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- – Salt to taste
- – 4 slider buns
- – 2 tomatoes sliced
- – 1 cup baby arugula
- – 4 slices aged cheddar cheese
Honey Mustard Dressing
- – 3 tablespoons honey
- – 4 tablespoons Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Add the honey and Dijon mustard to a small bowl. Whisk until smooth and completely combined. Set aside.
- Pat the chicken thoroughly dry with paper towels.
- Place the chicken in a bowl or shallow dish. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil, cayenne pepper, and salt, then turn the chicken until evenly coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour to allow the seasoning to flavor the meat.
- Remove the chicken from the refrigerator while preheating an indoor or outdoor grill to medium-high heat.
- Grill the chicken for approximately 3–5 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until browned and cooked through. Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) at its thickest point.
- Alternatively, heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat and cook the chicken for approximately 3–5 minutes per side, adjusting the cooking time according to thickness.
- Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and let it rest briefly before assembling the sliders.
- Lightly brush the cut sides of the slider buns with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Grill or toast them until lightly crisp and golden.
- Spread about 1 tablespoon of honey mustard dressing over the bottom half of each bun.
- Layer each bun with sliced tomato, grilled chicken, baby arugula, and a slice of aged cheddar.
- Add the top buns and serve the Honey Mustard Grilled Chicken Sliders immediately while the chicken is still warm.
Notes
Conclusion
Honey Mustard Grilled Chicken Sliders bring juicy grilled chicken, creamy cheddar, fresh vegetables, and sweet-tangy honey Dijon sauce together in an easy handheld meal.
With a short ingredient list and flexible cooking options, these grilled chicken sandwiches are useful for everything from weeknight dinners to party platters. Toast the buns, cook the chicken until juicy, and assemble just before serving for the best combination of flavors and textures.