These spicy buffalo chicken sliders have saved my weeknight dinners more times than I can count. The combination of tender shredded chicken tossed in tangy Frank’s hot sauce, topped with melty cheese, all nestled in soft slider buns creates pure comfort food that takes about 35 minutes from start to finish.
Table of Contents
Ingredients for Spicy Buffalo Chicken Sliders
I always reach for Hawaiian slider buns when making these because their slight sweetness balances the spicy buffalo sauce beautifully. Make sure you’re using actual slider buns and not regular burger buns, as the size difference really matters for getting that perfect bite. Here’s everything you’ll need:
- 9 pack slider buns (Hawaiian or brioche recommended, I prefer Hawaiian for their soft texture)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken is my go-to for saving time, removed from bones and shredded)
- 1/2 cup Frank’s buffalo hot sauce (this brand specifically gives the best authentic buffalo flavor)
- 2 tablespoons ranch dressing (regular, buttermilk, light, or blue cheese dressing)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup shredded Colby jack cheese (I usually grab the pre-shredded for convenience, though sliced works too)
For the Garlic Butter:
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning (in my experience, this adds a wonderful aromatic touch)
Step-by-Step Instructions
I recommend having all your ingredients measured and ready before you start, as it makes the assembly process so much smoother and faster.
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a 9×9 inch baking dish with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy.
Step 2: In a mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, buffalo hot sauce, ranch dressing, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Mix thoroughly until the chicken is evenly coated with the sauce, ensuring every bite has that spicy, tangy flavor.
Step 3: Slice the connected slider buns horizontally to separate tops from bottoms, keeping each set intact. Place the bottom halves in your prepared baking dish, fitting them snugly together without gaps.
Step 4: Divide the buffalo chicken mixture evenly among all nine bottom buns, spreading it to the edges. Pro tip: I use about 2-3 tablespoons per slider to ensure consistent portions.
Step 5: Sprinkle the shredded cheese generously over each slider. Don’t be shy with the cheese, as it acts as a delicious glue that holds everything together. Place the top buns over the cheese layer.
Step 6: In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Using a pastry brush, coat the tops of all the buns with this garlic butter mixture. Use all of the mixture to ensure even coverage. This creates that irresistible golden, flavorful crust.
Step 7: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes. This steaming process helps the cheese melt perfectly and keeps the buns soft.
Step 8: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, watching carefully until the tops turn golden brown with edges slightly darker and the cheese is completely melted and bubbly with no white patches remaining.
Step 9: Remove from the oven and let rest for 2-3 minutes before cutting into individual sliders with a serrated knife for clean cuts. These are best served hot from the oven, though leftovers reheat beautifully.
Perfect Pairings for Your Buffalo Chicken Sliders
These sliders pair wonderfully with sides that balance the spicy, rich flavors while adding textural contrast.
Crispy Potato Wedges: The starchy, crispy exterior of seasoned potato wedges provides a satisfying crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soft, saucy sliders while helping cool down the buffalo heat.
Classic Olive Garden Salad: A fresh, crisp salad with Italian dressing offers a refreshing counterpoint to the rich, cheesy sliders and adds much-needed vegetables to round out the meal nutritionally.
Golden French Fries: Classic comfort food that never disappoints, as the salty, crispy fries are perfect for soaking up any extra buffalo sauce and appeal to kids and adults alike.
Crunchy Celery Sticks: Traditional buffalo wing accompaniment that adds a cool, crisp element while staying true to the flavor profile, plus they’re perfect for dipping in extra ranch.
Colorful Veggie Platter: Raw vegetables with ranch or blue cheese dip provide a light, healthy balance to the indulgent sliders and give guests lighter options alongside the main dish.
Loaded Veggie Baked Ziti: For a heartier meal, this pasta side complements the sliders while adding more vegetables to your dinner spread.
Keeping Your Sliders Fresh
Store your leftover chicken filling separately from the buns in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. This prevents the bread from becoming soggy and allows you to assemble fresh sliders whenever you’re ready to eat them.
When you want to enjoy them again, simply assemble the sliders with fresh buns and reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes or in the air fryer at 400°F for 5-7 minutes until warmed through and the cheese melts. I recommend reheating them covered with foil for the first half of the time to prevent the tops from over-browning.
The buffalo chicken mixture can also be frozen in a freezer-safe bag for up to three months, making this recipe perfect for meal prep. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator, then assemble and bake as directed. These sliders work great for packing in lunches, just reheat them in the microwave for 30-45 seconds until warm.
Common Questions
Can I make these sliders less spicy for kids?
Absolutely. Simply reduce the buffalo sauce to 1/4 cup and add an extra tablespoon of ranch dressing to mellow the heat. You can also use a mild buffalo sauce variety, or substitute half the buffalo sauce with barbecue sauce for a sweeter, less spicy version that kids typically love.
Why is it important to use slider buns instead of regular hamburger buns?
Slider buns are specifically designed to be smaller and softer, creating the perfect bread-to-filling ratio for this recipe. Regular hamburger buns are too large and dense, which would overpower the buffalo chicken filling and result in dry, unbalanced sandwiches that don’t have that signature slider appeal.
Can I assemble these sliders ahead of time for a party?
I don’t recommend assembling them more than 30 minutes before baking, as the buffalo sauce will soak into the bread and make it soggy. Instead, prepare the chicken filling in advance and store it separately, then assemble and bake the sliders right before serving for the best texture and flavor. This applies to both oven and air fryer methods.
Spicy Buffalo Chicken Sliders
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9×9 inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, buffalo hot sauce, ranch dressing, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Mix thoroughly until the chicken is evenly coated.
- Slice the connected slider buns horizontally to separate tops from bottoms. Place the bottom halves in the prepared baking dish, fitting them snugly together.
- Divide the buffalo chicken mixture evenly among all nine bottom buns, spreading to the edges. Use about 2-3 tablespoons per slider.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheese generously over each slider, then place the top buns over the cheese layer.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Using a pastry brush, coat the tops of all the buns with the entire garlic butter mixture.
- Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the tops turn golden brown with edges slightly darker and the cheese is completely melted and bubbly.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 2-3 minutes. Cut into individual sliders using a serrated knife and serve while hot.
Notes
