Description
Want a crowd-pleasing dish that’s packed with bold, spicy flavor and perfect for sharing? Buffalo Chicken Sliders are the ultimate recipe! These slow-cooker sliders feature tender shredded chicken tossed in a spicy-sweet Buffalo sauce, served on soft Hawaiian rolls.
Ingredients
Scale
This recipe makes 12 sliders (serves 4-6) and uses simple ingredients for a spicy, flavorful dish. Here’s what you’ll need for the original (1x) recipe:
- For the Chicken:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons plus 1/3 cup Louisiana-style hot sauce, divided
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 cup butter, cubed
- 1/4 cup honey
- For Assembly:
- 12 Hawaiian sweet rolls, warmed
- Optional Toppings:
- Lettuce leaves
- Sliced tomato
- Thinly sliced red onion
- Crumbled blue cheese
Why These Ingredients Matter
- Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that shreds easily and soaks up the spicy sauce.
- Louisiana-Style Hot Sauce: Provides the signature Buffalo heat and tang.
- Pepper: Adds a mild kick to season the chicken.
- Butter: Creates a smooth, rich base for the sauce.
- Honey: Balances the heat with a touch of sweetness.
- Hawaiian Sweet Rolls: Soft, sweet rolls that complement the spicy filling.
- Optional Toppings: Lettuce and tomato add freshness, red onion brings crunch, and blue cheese offers a creamy, tangy contrast.
Substitutions and Variations
- Chicken: Swap with boneless chicken thighs for juicier meat or rotisserie chicken (skip slow cooking, just toss with sauce).
- Hot Sauce: Use any vinegar-based hot sauce like Frank’s RedHot or Tabasco; adjust quantity for heat preference.
- Butter: Replace with margarine or olive oil for a lighter option.
- Honey: Substitute with maple syrup or agave nectar for a different sweetness.
- Hawaiian Rolls: Use slider buns, dinner rolls, or brioche buns; gluten-free buns for dietary needs.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free rolls and check hot sauce for additives.
- Lower Heat: Reduce hot sauce to 1/4 cup total or use a mild hot sauce.
- Spicy Boost: Add 1/4 teaspoon cayenne or a sliced jalapeño to the sauce.
- Ranch Twist: Drizzle with ranch dressing or serve with a side for dipping.
Instructions
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients
- Pat 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts dry with paper towels.
- Measure 2 tablespoons plus 1/3 cup Louisiana-style hot sauce, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, 1/4 cup cubed butter, and 1/4 cup honey.
- Gather 12 Hawaiian sweet rolls and optional toppings: lettuce leaves, sliced tomato, thinly sliced red onion, and crumbled blue cheese.
Tip: Cube butter ahead for easier melting in the saucepan.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
- Place Chicken: Arrange chicken breasts in a 3-quart slow cooker.
- Season: Toss chicken with 2 tablespoons hot sauce and 1/4 teaspoon pepper to coat.
- Cook: Cover and cook on Low for 3-4 hours, until chicken is tender and reaches 165°F (74°C) internally.
Tip: Check at 3 hours; smaller breasts or hotter slow cookers may cook faster.
Step 3: Shred the Chicken
- Remove Chicken: Transfer chicken to a cutting board and discard the cooking juices from the slow cooker.
- Shred: Shred chicken with two forks into bite-sized pieces.
Tip: Shred finely for easier slider filling or coarsely for chunkier texture.
Step 4: Make the Buffalo Sauce
- Combine Ingredients: In a small saucepan, combine 1/4 cup cubed butter, 1/4 cup honey, and 1/3 cup Louisiana-style hot sauce.
- Cook: Heat over medium heat, stirring, until the butter is melted and the sauce is blended, about 3-5 minutes.
Tip: Stir constantly to prevent the sauce from separating or burning.
Step 5: Combine Chicken and Sauce
- Mix: Add shredded chicken to the saucepan (or pour sauce into a large bowl with chicken). Stir until the chicken is evenly coated and heated through, about 1-2 minutes.
Tip: If the sauce is too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons water or chicken broth to thin it.
Step 6: Assemble the Sliders
- Warm Rolls: Warm 12 Hawaiian sweet rolls in the oven (300°F for 5-7 minutes, wrapped in foil) or microwave (20-30 seconds, wrapped in a damp towel).
- Fill Sliders: Spoon the Buffalo chicken mixture onto the bottom halves of the rolls.
- Add Toppings: Add optional lettuce leaves, sliced tomato, thinly sliced red onion, and crumbled blue cheese, then place the top halves of the rolls.
Tip: Don’t overfill to keep sliders easy to eat; serve extra sauce on the side if desired.
Step 7: Serve
- Serve sliders hot, with extra napkins for the saucy filling. Offer additional toppings or a side of ranch dressing for dipping.