Buffalo Chicken Sliders Recipe Spicy
There’s a special kind of magic that happens when you combine spicy, tangy chicken with soft, sweet buns and gloriously melty cheese. This Buffalo Chicken Sliders recipe is the result of that magic, a dish that has become a non-negotiable staple for our family film nights and casual get-togethers with friends. It’s the kind of food that makes everyone lean in a little closer, reaching for one more before the tray is empty. We’re talking about tender shredded chicken drenched in a buttery, spicy Buffalo sauce, tucked into soft brioche buns with a layer of sharp cheddar, and then baked until everything is warm, gooey, and irresistible.
What I adore about these chicken sliders is how they deliver such a huge impact with a relatively straightforward method. The aroma that fills the kitchen as they bake is simply incredible – a warm, savoury scent that promises something truly special is on its way. My kids absolutely devour this every time I make it, and honestly, so do the adults! These spicy sliders are ideal for any occasion where you want to serve food that feels both comforting and a bit exciting. They work beautifully for a laid-back weekend lunch, as a star appetizer for a party, or as the main event on game day.
Recipe Overview
This recipe brings together the classic, beloved flavour of Buffalo wings in a neat, shareable slider format. You can expect a wonderful balance of tangy heat from the hot sauce, richness from the butter, a sharp bite from the cheddar, and a subtle sweetness from the brioche buns. After testing this recipe five times, I finally got it just right, ensuring the buns are toasted on top but remain soft and pillowy underneath, and the chicken is moist and flavourful without making everything soggy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Servings: 12 sliders (serves 4-6 people)
- Difficulty: Easy
Why You’ll Love This Buffalo Chicken Sliders Recipe
- Genuine Flavour: We use a proper butter-based Buffalo sauce here, giving you that authentic tangy and spicy kick that’s famously associated with the original Buffalo wings. The addition of a little honey and garlic powder rounds it out beautifully.
- Ready in Under 40 Minutes: From start to finish, you can have a tray of these hot, cheesy sliders on the table in about 35 minutes, which is fantastic when you’re short on time but still want to make something impressive.
- Flexible Recipe: This recipe is very adaptable. You can dial the heat up or down by adjusting the amount of hot sauce. You can swap the cheddar for Provolone or Monterey Jack, or even add a sprinkle of blue cheese for a classic pairing.
- Great for Gatherings: A tray of 12 sliders is a brilliant choice for feeding a group. It’s easy to double or triple the recipe for a larger party, and they are easy for guests to eat while mingling.
- Family Tested: This is one of those recipes that always gets compliments in my house. The combination of spicy chicken and melted cheese is a winner with everyone, from teenagers to grandparents.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the most authentic flavour, I always recommend using Frank’s RedHot Original sauce; it has the perfect balance of vinegar and heat that defines a good Buffalo sauce. For the chicken, a store-bought rotisserie chicken is a fantastic time-saver, but you can of course poach or bake your own.
- For the Chicken Filling:
- 500g cooked chicken, shredded (from a rotisserie chicken or 2-3 cooked chicken breasts)
- 120ml Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce
- 60g unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- A pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper
- For Assembly:
- 12 soft slider buns (brioche works wonderfully)
- 150g mature cheddar cheese, sliced or grated
- For the Topping:
- 30g unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or chives
Ashley’s Tip: Don’t be shy with the cheese! A good, sharp cheddar provides a lovely contrast to the spicy sauce. I often use a mix of grated sharp cheddar and a few slices of Provolone for an extra gooey texture.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Sliders
The process for these chicken sliders is simple and satisfying. We create the spicy chicken filling, assemble the sliders in a baking dish, and then bake them with a garlic butter topping until they are golden and the cheese is perfectly melted.
- Preheat Your Oven: First things first, preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan). Lightly grease a 23x33cm (9×13 inch) baking dish or line it with baking parchment.
- Prepare the Buns: Take your slab of slider buns and, without separating them, carefully slice them in half horizontally with a long serrated bread knife. Place the bottom half of the buns into your prepared baking dish.
- Make the Buffalo Sauce: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the 60g of melted butter, Frank’s RedHot sauce, honey, 1 tsp garlic powder, and onion powder. Season with a little salt and pepper.
- Combine with Chicken: Add the shredded chicken to the bowl with the Buffalo sauce. Stir gently until all the chicken is evenly coated and saturated with the sauce. I find that using two forks helps to mix everything without breaking up the chicken too much.
- Assemble the Sliders: Spoon the Buffalo chicken mixture evenly over the bottom half of the buns in the baking dish. Spread it right to the edges. Next, arrange the cheese slices or sprinkle the grated cheese evenly over the chicken.
- Add the Top Buns: Place the top half of the slider buns over the cheese layer to complete your sliders.
- Prepare the Topping: In a small bowl, mix together the 30g of melted butter with the 1/2 tsp of garlic powder. Brush this garlic butter mixture all over the tops of the buns. This step is what gives them that lovely golden, savoury crust.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes. You’re looking for the tops to be golden brown and the cheese to be completely melted and bubbling around the edges. Keep an eye on them after 15 minutes to ensure they don’t get too dark.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, carefully remove the dish from the oven. Sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley or chives over the top. Let them rest for a minute or two before using a knife to cut along the lines to separate the individual sliders. Serve immediately while they are warm and gooey.
Tips From My Kitchen
- Temperature Control: Ensure your shredded chicken isn’t cold straight from the fridge. Letting it come to room temperature for 15-20 minutes before mixing with the sauce helps everything heat through more evenly in the oven.
- The Secret Step: To prevent the bottom buns from becoming soggy, I learned that a great trick is to lightly toast the bottom half of the buns in the oven for 2-3 minutes before adding the chicken mixture. It creates a slight barrier.
- Make-Ahead: You can prepare the Buffalo chicken mixture up to 2 days in advance and keep it in an airtight container in the fridge. When you’re ready to bake, just assemble the sliders as directed and add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
- Storage: If you have any leftovers (which is rare!), they can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the oven at 160°C for about 10 minutes to get them warm and crispy again.
Equipment You’ll Need
You don’t need any fancy gadgets to make these delicious spicy sliders, just a few kitchen basics.
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Spatula or large spoon
- 23x33cm (9×13 inch) baking dish
- Serrated bread knife
- Pastry brush
Delicious Variations to Try
One of the best things about this recipe is how easy it is to tweak. Here are a few ideas we love:
- Extra Spicy Version: For those who love heat, add a finely chopped jalapeño to the chicken mixture or a few extra dashes of your favourite fiery hot sauce. A pinch of cayenne pepper in the sauce also does the trick.
- Add Some Crunch: For a different texture, try topping the cheese with some crispy fried onions before you put the top buns on.
- Different Protein: This recipe works wonderfully with shredded leftover turkey (ideal for after Christmas!) or even pulled pork. Just swap the chicken and enjoy.
What to Serve With Buffalo Chicken Sliders
These sliders are quite rich and flavourful, so they pair best with fresh, crisp sides. Here are a few suggestions:
- Celery and Carrot Sticks: A classic pairing with Buffalo flavour. Serve with a pot of blue cheese dip or a cool and creamy Authentic Tzatziki Sauce.
- A Simple Green Salad: A fresh salad with a light vinaigrette cuts through the richness of the sliders beautifully.
- Potato Wedges or Chips: For a more substantial meal, a side of crispy, seasoned potato wedges is always a winner.
- Drink Pairing: A cold, crisp lager or a pale ale complements the spicy notes perfectly. For a non-alcoholic option, a sharp, fizzy lemonade works a treat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Buffalo Chicken Sliders
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat Your Oven: First things first, preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan). Lightly grease a 23x33cm (9x13 inch) baking dish or line it with baking parchment.
- Prepare the Buns: Take your slab of slider buns and, without separating them, carefully slice them in half horizontally with a long serrated bread knife. Place the bottom half of the buns into your prepared baking dish.
- Make the Buffalo Sauce: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the 60g of melted butter, Frank's RedHot sauce, honey, 1 tsp garlic powder, and onion powder. Season with a little salt and pepper.
- Combine with Chicken: Add the shredded chicken to the bowl with the Buffalo sauce. Stir gently until all the chicken is evenly coated and saturated with the sauce. I find that using two forks helps to mix everything without breaking up the chicken too much.
- Assemble the Sliders: Spoon the Buffalo chicken mixture evenly over the bottom half of the buns in the baking dish. Spread it right to the edges. Next, arrange the cheese slices or sprinkle the grated cheese evenly over the chicken.
- Add the Top Buns: Place the top half of the slider buns over the cheese layer to complete your sliders.
- Prepare the Topping: In a small bowl, mix together the 30g of melted butter with the 1/2 tsp of garlic powder. Brush this garlic butter mixture all over the tops of the buns. This step is what gives them that lovely golden, savoury crust.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes. You're looking for the tops to be golden brown and the cheese to be completely melted and bubbling around the edges. Keep an eye on them after 15 minutes to ensure they don't get too dark.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, carefully remove the dish from the oven. Sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley or chives over the top. Let them rest for a minute or two before using a knife to cut along the lines to separate the individual sliders. Serve immediately while they are warm and gooey.
Notes
I really hope you give this Buffalo Chicken Sliders recipe a try. It’s a true favourite in my kitchen, and one that never fails to bring smiles to the table. They’re fun to make, even more fun to eat, and a wonderfully flavourful treat for any occasion. If you do make them, please leave a comment below and let me know how they turned out. I love hearing from you! Enjoy! – Ashley
