Description
Want a fun, crowd-pleasing dish that’s perfect for parties, game days, or a quick family dinner? Chicken Cordon Bleu Sliders are the ultimate recipe! These slow-cooker sliders feature tender shredded chicken, creamy cheese, and savory ham, all piled onto sweet Hawaiian rolls and topped with green onions
Ingredients
- For the Chicken Filling:
- 1-1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, cubed
- 2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
- 1-1/4 cups finely chopped fully cooked ham
- For Assembly:
- 2 packages (12 ounces each) Hawaiian sweet rolls, split
- Chopped green onions (for garnish)
Why These Ingredients Matter
- Chicken Breasts: Lean and tender, perfect for shredding.
- Garlic, Salt, Pepper: Season the chicken for a flavorful base.
- Cream Cheese: Creates a creamy, rich texture.
- Swiss Cheese: Adds nutty, melty goodness typical of Cordon Bleu.
- Ham: Provides smoky, savory flavor.
- Hawaiian Rolls: Offer a sweet, soft bun to balance the filling.
- Green Onions: Add fresh, mild crunch for garnish.
Substitutions and Variations
- Chicken: Swap with boneless chicken thighs (same cooking time) or 3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken (skip cooking step).
- Garlic: Use 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder.
- Cream Cheese: Replace with Neufchâtel or 8 ounces mascarpone for a lighter option.
- Swiss Cheese: Swap with Gruyère, mozzarella, or provolone.
- Ham: Use deli turkey, prosciutto, or bacon crumbles.
- Rolls: Substitute with slider buns, dinner rolls, or brioche buns.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free rolls and ensure ham is gluten-free.
- Spicy Sliders: Add 1/4 teaspoon cayenne or 1 tablespoon hot sauce to the chicken.
- Herb-Forward: Mix 1 teaspoon dried thyme or parsley into the filling.
Instructions
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients
- Mince 1 garlic clove.
- Measure 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper.
- Cube 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese.
- Shred 2 cups Swiss cheese.
- Finely chop 1-1/4 cups fully cooked ham.
- Chop green onions for garnish.
- Split 2 packages (12 ounces each) Hawaiian sweet rolls.
Tip: Cube cream cheese into small pieces for faster melting; chop ham finely for even distribution.
Step 2: Prep the Slow Cooker
- Add Chicken: Place 1-1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts in a greased 3-quart slow cooker.
- Season: Sprinkle minced garlic, salt, and pepper over the chicken.
- Top with Cream Cheese: Distribute cubed cream cheese evenly over the chicken.
Tip: Grease the slow cooker with cooking spray to prevent sticking; ensure chicken is in a single layer.
Step 3: Slow Cook
- Cook on Low: Cover and cook on Low for 2.5-3 hours, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and is tender.
Tip: Check at 2.5 hours with a thermometer; avoid overcooking to keep chicken juicy.
Step 4: Shred Chicken
- Remove Chicken: Transfer chicken to a large bowl or cutting board.
- Shred: Using two forks, shred chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Return to Slow Cooker: Add shredded chicken back to the slow cooker, stirring to mix with the cream cheese sauce.
Tip: Shred finely for easy slider filling; stir well to coat chicken in the creamy sauce.
Step 5: Add Cheese and Ham
- Add Ingredients: Stir in shredded Swiss cheese and chopped ham.
- Melt Cheese: Cover and let stand for 15 minutes, until cheese is melted and mixture is cohesive.
- Stir: Mix well to ensure even distribution of cheese and ham.
Tip: Stir gently to keep the mixture creamy; if cheese doesn’t melt fully, cover and heat on Low for 5-10 more minutes.
Step 6: Assemble and Serve
- Prep Rolls: Place bottom halves of split Hawaiian rolls on a serving platter or individual plates.
- Add Filling: Spoon chicken mixture generously onto the roll bottoms.
- Garnish: Sprinkle chopped green onions over the filling.
- Top and Serve: Place roll tops on sliders and serve immediately.
Tip: Use a slotted spoon to avoid excess sauce on rolls; serve warm for the best texture.