Name: BBQ Chicken Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 3 h
Total time: 3 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 large chicken breasts, about 1 pound; ¼ cup chicken broth/stock or water; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; ½ teaspoon smoked paprika; ½ teaspoon ground mustard; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; Dash of cayenne pepper; 3/4 cup barbecue sauce; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; ½ teaspoon kosher salt; ½ teaspoon onion powder; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; 1 package of King’s Hawaiian rolls (12 rolls); 6 slices of white American cheese or cheese of your choice

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Perfect for a weeknight dinner.

These BBQ Chicken Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls come together in just a few easy steps but certainly don’t skimp on the flavor. The chicken cooks in the crockpot and is tossed in BBQ sauce before being piled on to sweet Hawaiian rolls, topped with cheese, brushed with seasoned butter, and baked until warm and golden.

Cut rows of BBQ Chicken Sliders with golden tops and melty cheese on a foil lined pan.

Ingredients

Adding a layer of cheese and seasoned, melted butter to the tops of the rolls takes these to another level.

If you’re looking to add a crunch, throw together a quick slaw, or even shredded lettuce and add after baking. I’m a fan of tamed jalapeños added on, too!

Rows of uncut BBQ Chicken Sliders with golden tops and melty cheese on a foil lined pan with a bottle of barbecue sauce.

BBQ Chicken Ingredients

chicken breasts
chicken broth/stock
onion powder
garlic powder
smoked paprika
ground mustard
kosher salt
cayenne pepper
barbecue sauce

A green store package of chicken breasts and a clear bowl of yellow, red, and white seasonings.

Slider Ingredients

King’s Hawaiian rolls
white American cheese
unsalted butter
kosher salt
onion powder
garlic powder

Clear bowls of butter and seasoning, slices of white American cheese, a wrapped package of Hawaiian rolls and a bottle of Sweet Baby Rays BBQ sauce.

How to Make BBQ Chicken Sliders

Cook the Chicken: Add the chicken breasts to the crockpot with a little chicken broth or water and season with onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, ground mustard, kosher salt, and a dash of cayenne pepper. Cook until the chicken is fully cooked.
Shred and Sauce the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the crockpot and shred it using two forks or a hand mixer. Add barbecue sauce and gently mix until the shredded chicken is evenly coated.
Prep the Sliders: Preheat the oven and line a baking sheet with foil, then lightly spray it with cooking spray. Slice the Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally, keeping the top and bottom intact so they act like one large bun. Place the bottom half of the rolls on the baking sheet and the layer of cheese. Spread the shredded chicken evenly on the bottom rolls, then place the top half of the rolls back on.
Butter and Bake: Melt the butter and mix in the seasoning. Brush the butter mixture over the tops of the rolls. Cover the sliders with foil and bake until warmed through and golden.

BBQ Chicken Slider Sides

You could definitely serve these as a party appetizer, they’re perfect for a football Sunday or feeding a large group. But as far as sides for serving as dinner, I like to make:

mac and cheese
tator tots
green beans
raw veggies with ranch
side salad
steamed baby carrots
corn on the cob

Two BBQ chicken sliders on a white plate with pieces of jalapeños and a stainless steel cup of BBQ sauce next to a sheet tray of sliders.

Equipment I Use to Make BBQ Chicken Sliders

Dip Bowls – so cute and perfect for serving
Cookie Sheet – some of my favorite cookie sheets by USA Pan

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of crockpot chicken?

Absolutely. Rotisserie chicken works great as a shortcut. Skip straight to shredding the chicken.

How do I keep the sliders from getting soggy?

Layering the cheese directly on the bottom rolls before adding the sauced chicken helps to create a moisture barrier. Make sure the tops of the rolls are nice and golden before removing from the oven.