When dinner needs to be quick but impressive, these maple chicken and bacon sliders are your answer. I first made these last fall when my kids requested “something sweet but still dinner,” and I realized I could combine two of their favorite flavors into slider form.
The sweet maple glaze paired with crispy bacon creates a flavor combination that feels special but doesn’t require advanced cooking skills. What makes these sliders work for busy weeknights is that while the chicken needs time to marinate, your hands-on cooking time is minimal. The maple syrup caramelizes as the chicken cooks, creating a gorgeous golden crust that looks restaurant-quality.
Table of Contents
Ingredients for Maple Chicken & Bacon Sliders
I always start by laying out all my ingredients before I begin cooking. This recipe comes together quickly once you start, so having everything ready makes the process smooth and stress-free. My go-to is using pure maple syrup rather than pancake syrup – the real stuff makes a noticeable difference in flavor depth.
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (sliced to 1/4-inch thickness)
6 slices bacon – I usually use 12 slices for fuller coverage on each slider
1/2 cup pure maple syrup – I recommend using Grade A Dark for richer flavor
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
12 slider buns – My preference is potato rolls for their slight sweetness
2 cups fresh arugula or spinach
Salt to taste – In my experience, you won’t need much since the bacon adds plenty of saltiness
Step-by-Step Instructions
I recommend starting with the marinade since giving your chicken at least 30 minutes to soak up those flavors really makes a difference in the final taste.
Step 1: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, and black pepper until smooth. Add the thinly sliced chicken, making sure each piece is well coated. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours if you have the time. The longer marinating time creates deeper flavor.
Step 2: While the chicken marinates, cook your bacon in a skillet over medium heat for about 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally until it reaches your desired crispiness. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and reserve 1 tablespoon of the bacon drippings in the pan. Break each bacon slice in half so they fit perfectly on the slider buns.
Step 3: Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off and discarding any remaining marinade. Keep your skillet at medium heat and add the chicken strips to the reserved bacon drippings. Cook for 5-7 minutes per side, watching as the maple glaze caramelizes into a beautiful golden-brown crust. You’re looking for an internal temperature of 165°F and a slightly sticky, caramelized coating.
Step 4: Remove the chicken to a clean plate and let it rest for 2-3 minutes. While the chicken rests, lightly toast the slider buns cut-side down in the same skillet for about 1 minute until golden. This step adds texture and helps the buns soak up those delicious pan flavors.
Step 5: Build your sliders by placing a piece of glazed chicken on each bottom bun, topping with half a slice (or a full slice if using 12) of crispy bacon, a handful of fresh greens, and the top bun. Serve immediately while everything is warm and the flavors are at their peak.
Perfect Pairings for Maple Chicken & Bacon Sliders
These sliders pair beautifully with sides that balance their sweet and savory profile.
Sweet Potato Fries: The natural sweetness complements the maple glaze while adding a satisfying crispy texture that contrasts perfectly with the tender chicken.
Fresh Garden Salad: A simple mix of crisp lettuce, cucumber, and cherry tomatoes with a light vinaigrette cuts through the richness and adds refreshing balance to your plate.
Coleslaw: The acidity and crunch of coleslaw provides a cooling contrast to the warm, sweet sliders while adding important vegetables to your meal.
Roasted Vegetables: When roasted until crispy, vegetables bring an earthy note that plays wonderfully against the sweet maple flavors.
Garlic Parmesan Potatoes: Classic and comforting, these add substance to your meal and are perfect for soaking up any extra maple glaze that drips from the sliders.
Storage & Serving Tips
Store any leftover components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The chicken and bacon keep well, though I recommend storing the buns separately to prevent them from getting soggy. Components can be prepared up to 24 hours ahead for easy assembly.
For reheating, I’ve found the oven works best. Place assembled sliders on a baking sheet and warm at 350°F for about 8-10 minutes until heated through. You can also freeze the cooked chicken in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months – just thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently in a skillet.
These sliders are incredibly versatile. Try them with different greens like baby kale or watercress, or add a slice of cheddar cheese during the last minute of cooking for extra indulgence. For gatherings, you can cook all the components ahead and let guests assemble their own sliders.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs work beautifully in this recipe and actually stay even more moist. Just adjust cooking time slightly as thighs may need an extra minute or two per side to reach 165°F.
What if I don’t have slider buns?
Regular hamburger buns work perfectly – just cut them in half or quarters to create smaller portions. Brioche buns are also a delicious upgrade if you want something extra special.
How do I prevent the maple glaze from burning?
Keep your heat at medium rather than high, and don’t walk away from the stove. The sugars in maple syrup can caramelize quickly, so watch closely during the last few minutes of cooking. If the glaze starts to darken too fast, reduce heat to medium-low.
Conclusion
These maple chicken and bacon sliders prove that impressive dinners don’t require complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients. With just 55 minutes and a handful of simple components, you’ll have a meal that brings everyone to the table with genuine excitement. The combination of sweet maple, savory bacon, and tender chicken creates a flavor experience that feels special without the stress. Give this recipe a try tonight and watch it become a regular request in your dinner rotation.
Maple Chicken & Bacon Sliders
Sweet and savory sliders featuring maple-glazed chicken and crispy bacon, perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
1poundboneless, skinless chicken breastssliced to 1/4-inch thickness
6slicesbaconor 12 slices for fuller coverage
1/2cuppure maple syrup
1tablespoonDijon mustard
1/2teaspoongarlic powder
1/4teaspoonblack pepper
12slider buns
2cupsfresh arugula or spinach
Saltto taste
Equipment
Skillet
Mixing bowl
Paper towels
Plate
Method
In a mixing bowl, whisk together maple syrup, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, and black pepper. Add thinly sliced chicken and coat well. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat for 6-8 minutes until crispy. Transfer to paper towel-lined plate. Reserve 1 tablespoon bacon drippings in the skillet. Break each bacon slice in half.
Remove chicken from marinade, discarding excess. Keep skillet at medium heat and add chicken strips to reserved bacon drippings. Cook 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Remove chicken to a clean plate and let rest 2-3 minutes. While chicken rests, toast slider buns cut-side down in the same skillet for about 1 minute.
Assemble sliders by placing glazed chicken on bottom buns, topping with bacon pieces, fresh greens, and top bun. Serve immediately.
Notes
Store components separately in refrigerator for up to 3 days. Components can be prepared up to 24 hours ahead. Chicken can be frozen for up to 2 months. Reheat assembled sliders at 350°F for 8-10 minutes. Try using chicken thighs for even more moisture, or add cheese during the last minute of cooking. Use 12 bacon slices instead of 6 for fuller coverage on each slider.
a recipe developer, food enthusiast, and busy parent based in Denver, CO. I created Yumnights because I believe that delicious, healthy dinners shouldn’t require hours in the kitchen or a culinary degree to master.
