Football Sunday, birthday parties, or just a Wednesday that needs savingSpicy Buffalo Chicken Sliders hit the spot every time. These crave-worthy mini sandwiches have taken over Pinterest and TikTok for good reason: minimal effort, massive flavor. From prep to plate in about 35 minutesno fancy tools or complicated techniques required.
Picture this: spicy, tender shredded chicken snuggled between buttery slider buns, topped with melted cheese, and glazed with garlicky hot sauce butter. Most of the ingredients are probably already in your kitchenthink rotisserie chicken, hot sauce, shredded cheese, and simple seasonings. Full recipe below!
Growing up, I learned that the best meals don’t need to be complicated. Just bold, warm, and worth sharing with people who’ll fight you for the last slider. I tested this recipe multiple times to perfect itincluding a trick for keeping the bottoms from getting soggy. It’s a game-changer!
Why You’ll Love These Spicy Buffalo Chicken Sliders
There’s something about sliders that feels so fun and shareable! Here’s why these spicy buffalo chicken sliders are bound to hit your dinner rotation:
Quick & Easy: Just 35 minutes from start to finish, with clear and fuss-free steps.
Big Flavor, No Fuss: Juicy chicken, tangy buffalo sauce, and gooey cheese all nestled in soft, buttery slider buns.
Crowd-Pleaser: Ideal for game day spreads, potlucks, or family dinnerseveryone loves them!
Accessible Ingredients: You likely have everything you need on hand already.
Ingredients Breakdown
Let’s break things down. Each ingredient adds depth, texture, or spice to these slidersno filler, just flavor:
Ingredient
Notes
Slider Buns
Soft, slightly sweet rolls like Hawaiian bread enhance the contrast of spicy and savory.
Shredded Chicken
Rotisserie chicken is perfect for ease, but leftover grilled or baked chicken works well too.
Frank’s Hot Buffalo Sauce
The classic choice for tangy heat. Adjust to taste or swap for a milder sauce.
Shredded Cheese
Cheddar, mozzarella, or a blendchoose one that melts easily and complements the heat.
Garlic Butter Mixture
An essential for those rich, golden topscombine butter, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
Ranch Dressing
Adds creamy contrast to the heat and helps bind the filling together.
Seasonings
Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika round out the flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
You’re just a few easy steps away from melty, spicy perfection. Follow along for guaranteed slider greatness:
Preheat: Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper or spray with non-stick cooking spray.
Mix the Filling: In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken with hot sauce, ranch dressing, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir until evenly coated.
Assemble: Place the bottom half of the slider buns into the prepared baking dish. Evenly spread the buffalo chicken mixture across the buns, sprinkle your shredded cheese over the top, and finish with the bun tops.
Brush with Butter: Mix melted butter with garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Brush the top of the buns generously with the mixture for that golden, garlicky crust.
Bake: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Then, uncover and bake for an additional 5–10 minutes until the tops are golden and the cheese is melted.
Slice & Serve: Cut along the seams to create individual sliders. Serve hot and enjoy immediately!
Step
Time
Prep & Assemble
10 minutes
First Bake (Covered)
15 minutes
Second Bake (Uncovered)
5–10 minutes
Total Time
35 minutes
Pro Tips & Substitutions
Want to customize these sliders or work with what you’ve got? Check out the tips below:
Make It Milder: Choose a mild wing sauce or use less hot sauce if heat isn’t your thing.
Try Different Cheeses: Cheddar brings sharpness, mozzarella gives gooey pulls, and pepper jack brings extra kick.
No Rotisserie? Boil or pressure-cook chicken breasts and shred with forks or a hand mixer while warm.
No Ranch? Mix plain Greek yogurt with ranch seasoning or use blue cheese dressing for a bold alternative.
Original Ingredient
Swap Option
Frank’s Buffalo Sauce
Mild wing sauce or smoky BBQ sauce
Ranch Dressing
Greek yogurt + ranch mix or blue cheese dressing
Shredded Chicken
Cooked shredded turkey or pulled pork
Storage & Reheating
Leftovers? Lucky you! These sliders hold up beautifully and come back to life with a little oven love:
Store: Wrap each slider in foil or store in an airtight container. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Pop in the oven at 325°F (160°C) for 10–12 minutes for best texture and flavor.
Freezing: Skip the butter topping if freezing. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Freeze up to 2 months. Add butter topping just before baking.
Balancing heat and flavor is key when crafting the perfect spicy buffalo chicken slider. Combining the tang of classic hot sauce with creamy ranch or blue cheese tones down harsh spice and builds a savory, crave-worthy bite. Always aim for a juicy filling and soft bun texture to create a memorable slider experience.
For more delicious recipes and cooking inspiration, follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Reddit!
Perfecting Spicy Buffalo Chicken Sliders for Family Nights
After several rounds of testing and one batch too fiery even for us, I finally got it rightthese Spicy Buffalo Chicken Sliders are now a staple on our family table. The secret lies in balancing flavors, using real ingredients, and adding that kiss of garlic butter on top. It’s comfort food elevated.
FAQs ( Spicy Buffalo Chicken Sliders )
What makes these buffalo chicken sliders spicy?
The spicy kick in these Buffalo Chicken Sliders comes from the classic buffalo sauce made with hot sauce and butter. You can adjust the heat level by choosing milder or hotter sauces like Frank’s RedHot for moderate spice or cayenne-based sauces for extra fire. The beauty of this Easy Buffalo Chicken recipe is that you control the spice level to suit your taste preferences.
What type of chicken works best for buffalo sliders?
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are ideal for Juicy Chicken sliders because they stay moist and tender during cooking. Chicken breasts work well too, but be careful not to overcook them as they can dry out quickly. You can also use rotisserie chicken for a super quick version – just shred it and toss with your buffalo sauce for instant gratification.
How do you keep slider buns from getting soggy?
To prevent soggy Mini Sandwiches, lightly toast the slider buns before assembling and let the buffalo chicken cool for 2-3 minutes after cooking. You can also add a thin layer of butter or cream cheese to the buns as a moisture barrier. Serve immediately after assembly, or if making ahead, keep the sauce on the side until ready to eat.
What toppings pair well with spicy buffalo chicken sliders?
Classic toppings include crispy lettuce, diced celery for crunch, and tangy blue cheese or ranch dressing to cool the heat. Pickled red onions add a nice acidic contrast, while avocado slices provide creamy richness. These toppings complement the bold flavors similar to traditional Buffalo Wings and help balance the spiciness perfectly.
Can you make buffalo chicken sliders ahead of time?
Yes, you can prep the buffalo chicken mixture up to 2 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. For best results, reheat the chicken gently before serving and assemble the sliders fresh. If you must assemble ahead, wrap them tightly and consume within 4 hours to maintain the best texture and prevent the buns from becoming soggy.
Conclusion
You’ll love how fast these Spicy Buffalo Chicken Sliders come togethercrispy edges, cheesy centers, and just the right spicy kick. Whether it’s a party snack or a dinner game-changer, they’re simple, bold, and easy to devour.
Feel free to switch up the cheese or spice level to suit your crowd. Leftovers stay soft and reheat like a dream in the oven. And don’t forgetbrushing those buns with garlic butter takes things from tasty to totally addictive. Trust me.
Have a go-to variation or slider memory to share? Drop it in the comments or tag methere’s nothing better than food made and shared with intention. Let’s make dinner cozy again.
These Spicy Buffalo Chicken Sliders make the perfect appetizer or main course featuring Easy Buffalo Chicken, Juicy Chicken, and Mini Sandwiches packed with flavor. Fluffy slider buns are filled with shredded chicken tossed in tangy Frank’s hot buffalo sauce, blended with ranch and baked beneath melty cheese to cheesy perfection. A simple garlic butter brush on top delivers an irresistible golden finish.
Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9×9 baking sheet or casserole dish with parchment paper.
In a bowl, mix the shredded chicken, hot sauce, ranch, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
Place the bottoms of the slider buns on the lined baking sheet.
Divide the buffalo chicken mixture evenly among the buns.
Sprinkle shredded cheese over each filled bun and top with the slider bun tops.
In a small bowl, combine melted butter, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
Brush the tops of the buns with the garlic butter mixture using a pastry brush.
Cover the baking sheet with foil and bake at 350°F for 15 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes until the tops are lightly golden and the cheese is melted.
Serve immediately while hot with your favorite sides.
Notes
For extra spice, add a dash of cayenne pepper to the chicken mixture. Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in the oven for best texture.
