Spicy Buffalo Chicken Sliders

Spicy buffalo chicken sliders bring bold flavor and comfort to the table in under forty minutes. With soft slider buns and juicy chicken tossed in tangy buffalo sauce plus melty cheese, they always disappear fast at gatherings. These are perfect for game day, parties, or even busy weeknights when you just need something easy and delicious.

I have made these sliders for birthday parties and friend get-togethers alike and they are always the first tray emptied. The blend of creamy ranch and spicy sauce warms everyone right up.

Gather Your Ingredients

• Slider buns: Soft and pillowy to soak up sauce. Look for fresh bakery buns for best texture
• Shredded chicken: Tender protein that binds all the flavor together. Rotisserie or homemade chicken works
• Franks buffalo hot sauce: Delivers classic bold heat and tang. Opt for original if you want true buffalo style
• Ranch dressing: Creamy cooling element to balance the spice. Choose your favorite brand or homemade
• Salt: Brings out the flavors in the chicken and sauce
• Ground black pepper: Lends a subtle heat and aromatic kick
• Garlic powder: Boosts savory depth. Make sure yours smells fresh for full flavor
• Paprika: Adds gentle warmth and color. Use smoked if you want more richness
• Shredded cheese: Melts to gooey perfection. Cheddar or a mix with Monterey Jack gives best stretch
• Butter: Richness for toasting the buns. Choose real butter for that crisp golden finish
• Italian seasoning: Fragrant herbs to enhance the garlic butter flavor. Look for a blend with oregano and basil

How to Make It

Preheat the Oven:

Set your oven to three hundred fifty degrees Fahrenheit and line a nine by nine inch baking sheet or casserole dish with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup fast

Prepare the Buffalo Chicken Filling:

In a medium bowl combine the shredded chicken buffalo sauce ranch salt pepper garlic powder and paprika. Stir until every piece of chicken is evenly coated and creamy orange

Layer the Slider Buns:

Place only the bottom halves of your slider buns into the lined baking sheet so you create a solid base for your cheesy chicken filling

Assemble the Sliders:

Evenly divide the buffalo chicken mixture across all the buns. Make sure every bite will get saucy chicken. Sprinkle the shredded cheese generously over the top and set the top buns in place

Mix and Brush the Garlic Butter:

Melt the butter in a small bowl then stir in garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Use a pastry brush to coat the tops of the buns with this butter mixture for a deeply flavorful crust

Bake Covered and Uncovered:

Cover the baking sheet tightly with foil and bake for fifteen minutes so the cheese melts and sandwiches steam. Remove foil and bake five to ten minutes longer until the tops are golden and cheese is bubbly

Cut and Serve:

Use a sharp knife to cut between each slider. Serve hot for maximum cheese pull and best flavor

Buffalo sauce is my hands down favorite ingredient here. Its tang and moderate heat never overwhelm and always bring back memories of wild Super Bowl parties with my brothers. Clustered around the kitchen island everyone would reach for sliders before they even cooled.

Flavor Boosters

Keep leftover sliders in an airtight container in the fridge. They hold their flavor and moisture for up to three days. To reheat wrap in foil and bake at three hundred fifty degrees for ten minutes so the buns stay soft and the cheese remelts. Avoid microwaving which can make the buns tough.

Serving Suggestions

Serve sliders with celery sticks and extra ranch on the side. They are also great with a crisp green salad sweet potato fries or roasted vegetables. For fancier occasions add pickled onions or coleslaw to the tray.

Creative Twists

Substitute rotisserie chicken for a shortcut or use shredded turkey for a leaner version. Swap cheddar for mozzarella Monterey Jack or pepper jack to shake up the cheese pull. If buffalo sauce is too spicy use barbecue or honey mustard instead.

Once at a New Year’s Eve party these sliders disappeared before midnight. I learned to always double the batch and stash a few hidden for myself.

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I use store-bought rotisserie chicken?

Yes, rotisserie chicken works perfectly well. Shred it and combine with the buffalo sauce mixture for convenience.

→ What kind of cheese pairs best?

Cheddar or a blend like mozzarella and Monterey Jack melts well and complements the buffalo sauce's heat.

→ Can these be made ahead of time?

Prepare sliders up to the baking step and refrigerate; bake just before serving to keep them fresh and melty.

→ What’s a good side dish for these sliders?

Pair with celery sticks, carrot sticks, coleslaw, or crispy fries for a balanced meal or party spread.

→ Could I make these less spicy?

Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce or blend with extra ranch to tame the heat to your liking.