Spicy Buffalo Chicken Sliders

Craving something spicy, cheesy, and easy to pull apart while it’s still warm? Spicy Buffalo Chicken Sliders pack saucy shredded chicken and melted cheese into soft slider buns with garlicky butter brushed over the top.

They’re ready in 35 minutes, with just 10 minutes of prep, so they’re especially handy when you want an easy Dinner that doesn’t involve much chopping. The filling is simply shredded chicken tossed with buffalo sauce, ranch, and a few seasonings. The Effortless Cook

A layer of shredded cheese melts over the chicken while the covered buns warm through. Then the foil comes off for the last few minutes, giving the tops those lightly golden edges that make sliders so good straight from the oven.

I like keeping the foil on for the full first 15 minutes because it gives the cheese time to melt before the tops start browning. Once uncovered, I watch the buns closely since they can go from pale to deeply toasted pretty quickly.

Serve these for game night, an easy lunch, or alongside other grab and dip favorites like Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Taquitos. They make nine sliders, which is a nice size for a small gathering or casual family meal.

Add celery sticks, fries, or a crisp salad on the side. Anyone who enjoys buffalo chicken flavor gets the heat, creamy ranch, melted cheese, and buttery bread all in one little sandwich.

Why You’ll Love This Spicy Buffalo Chicken Sliders

• Quick prep: The filling takes only a few minutes to stir together before everything goes into the oven.
• Buffalo flavor: A full half cup of buffalo hot sauce gives the shredded chicken plenty of tang and heat.
• Cheesy center: Shredded cheese melts right over the saucy chicken and holds the filling together.
• Buttery tops: Melted butter, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning give the buns a savory golden finish.
• Party friendly: Nine individual sliders are easy to separate and serve without plates and forks.

Ingredients You’ll Need

These simple ingredients make nine saucy, cheesy buffalo chicken sliders. The Effortless Cook

• Slider buns: 1 pack of 9 soft slider buns forms the base and top of the sandwiches.
• Shredded chicken: 1 1/2 cups cooked shredded chicken keeps the filling quick and convenient.
• Buffalo hot sauce: 1/2 cup gives the chicken its spicy, tangy buffalo flavor.
• Ranch dressing: 2 tablespoons add creaminess and mellow some of the heat.
• Salt: 1/2 teaspoon seasons the chicken mixture.
• Ground black pepper: 1/4 teaspoon adds gentle warmth.
• Garlic powder: 1/2 teaspoon brings savory garlic flavor to the filling.
• Paprika: 1/4 teaspoon adds mild warmth and color.
• Shredded cheese: 1 cup melts over the buffalo chicken and makes the sliders gooey.

Garlic butter

• Butter: 2 tablespoons, melted, help the tops turn rich and golden.
• Garlic powder: 1/2 teaspoon seasons the melted butter.
• Italian seasoning: 1/4 teaspoon adds a light herby finish.

Step by Step Instructions

1. Heat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9 by 9 inch baking dish or similarly sized baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Mix the chicken: Combine the shredded chicken, buffalo hot sauce, ranch dressing, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a bowl. Stir until the chicken is evenly coated and saucy.
3. Build the sliders: Place the bottom half of the slider buns in the prepared dish. Spread the buffalo chicken evenly across the buns, sprinkle the shredded cheese over it, then replace the top buns.
4. Brush with butter: Stir the melted butter with the garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Brush the mixture evenly over the tops of the buns, getting it all the way to the edges.
5. Bake until melted: Cover the dish with foil and bake at 350°F for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 5 to 10 minutes, until the cheese has melted and the tops are lightly golden. The Effortless Cook
6. Cut and serve: Separate the warm sliders and serve immediately while the cheese is still soft and melted.

Recipe Tips

• Use cooked chicken: Rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken makes these especially quick to assemble.
• Cover them first: Foil keeps the buns from browning before the chicken is hot and the cheese has melted.
• Watch the tops: Don’t walk away during the uncovered baking time because soft slider buns can brown quickly.
• Serve them hot: Give the sliders just enough time to handle comfortably, then cut and serve while the cheese is melted.

Variations and Customization Ideas

• Change the cheese: Try Colby Jack, provolone, Swiss, or another good melting cheese in place of your usual shredded cheese. The Effortless Cook
• Adjust the heat: Use a milder buffalo sauce for gentler sliders or a hotter variety when you want more kick.
• Swap the dressing: Blue cheese dressing can take the place of ranch for a sharper buffalo wing style flavor.
• Stretch the filling: Add a little extra cooked shredded chicken when you need to make the filling meatier without increasing the sauce too much.
• Try different buns: Hawaiian style or brioche slider buns both work well, depending on whether you prefer a sweeter or richer bread.

Serving Suggestions

• Fresh crunch: Celery and carrot sticks give you that familiar buffalo chicken pairing without making the meal heavy.
• Crispy side: Serve the sliders with oven fries, potato wedges, or Crispy Parmesan Crusted Broccoli Florets (20 Minutes!).
• Cool dip: Put extra ranch or blue cheese dressing on the table for dipping.
• Simple salad: A crunchy green salad balances the buttery buns and spicy chicken.
• Party spread: Pair the sliders with Crispy Copycat Chick fil A Nuggets when you need plenty of easy finger food.

How to Store and Reheat

Store leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days. Refrigerate them promptly once they’ve cooled rather than leaving cooked chicken at room temperature for an extended period. The Effortless Cook

For make ahead prep, mix the buffalo chicken filling and refrigerate it separately for up to 2 to 3 days. Avoid assembling the buns too early because the sauce can soak into the bread and make it soggy. The Effortless Cook

The chicken filling can also be frozen separately for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator, then assemble fresh sliders and bake as directed. The Effortless Cook

Reheat leftover sliders in the oven or air fryer until the filling is hot and the cheese softens again. The microwave works when you’re in a hurry, but the buns will stay softer.

Recipe FAQ’s

What kind of chicken is best for buffalo chicken sliders?

Any cooked shredded chicken works well, including rotisserie chicken, leftover chicken, or chicken you’ve cooked specifically for the recipe. You need 1 1/2 cups for nine sliders. The Effortless Cook

How do I keep buffalo chicken sliders from getting soggy?

Assemble them shortly before baking rather than letting the buffalo chicken sit on the bread for hours. If you’re preparing ahead, refrigerate the chicken mixture separately and build the sliders when you’re ready to bake.

Can I make buffalo chicken sliders in an air fryer?

Yes. The source recipe recommends assembling them in the air fryer basket and cooking at 400°F for 8 to 10 minutes, until lightly golden with melted cheese. The Effortless Cook

Spicy Buffalo Chicken Sliders give you soft buttery buns, tangy buffalo chicken, ranch, and plenty of melted cheese with only 10 minutes of hands on prep. They’re simple enough for dinner but just as useful when you need a warm platter of appetizers.

Add a cool dip and crunchy vegetables, or round out the table with Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Taquitos. Keep the buffalo sauce as mild or fiery as you like and make this tray your own.

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