Buffalo chicken sliders deliver that flavor pop you love from buffalo wings, without the fat or the mess. Plus, sliders are easy to prepare and always a hit at parties.
Why buffalo chicken tastes so good
I love buffalo chicken and so does my husband. That’s significant, because we don’t always agree on flavor — especially spicy flavor (I love spice and he doesn’t).
And we’re not the only ones. I don’t know too many people who don’t love chicken smothered with buffalo sauce. So what’s driving that universal appeal of this food combo? I have a few ideas:
- Vinegar and cayenne together is mildly addictive. Buffalo sauce brings the flavor, and that flavor is unique. The sauce’s combination of vinegar and cayenne pepper has a tangy, spicy vibe that makes you want more.
- Cooling dipping sauces served with buffalo add flavor complexity. Buffalo chicken is routinely served with ranch dressing or blue cheese. Both have a cooling, creamy feel that softens the heat of buffalo sauce — which appeals to those don’t normally like spice.
- Buffalo chicken is a social food. Buffalo chicken wings and buffalo chicken dip became popular on restaurant menus. These dishes are associated with fun, social situations. People tend to love food that reminds them of good times.
- Spice releases endorphins. Physically speaking, spicy foods can prompt endorphin release in your body. Endorphins — and buffalo chicken by association — make you feel good.
Why buffalo sliders vs. wings vs. flatbread
When you’re craving buffalo chicken, you have many options. You can make buffalo chicken dip, buffalo chicken flatbread, pizza, or wings. I even have an indulgent buffalo chicken bites recipe you might like. You’d choose this buffalo chicken slider recipe because you’re short on time and you don’t want to wear a bib while you’re eating. (Wings can be messy, right?)
This recipe comes together in 15 minutes, so it works well for parties when you don’t want to be tied up in the kitchen. It’s also a satisfying weekday meal.
Ingredients for buffalo chicken sliders
Here’s your grocery list for these fun sliders:
- Shredded or rotisserie chicken
- Buffalo sauce
- Butter
- Cole slaw mix
- Blue cheese salad dressing or ranch salad dressing
- Slider buns
You need 1 cup of shredded chicken. You can cook a single breast in an Instant Pot and shred it yourself, or you can buy cooked chicken. Rotisserie chicken works well in this recipe, too.
As for the dressing, you can pick between blue cheese and ranch dressing. The last time I made these sliders, I didn’t have blue cheese on hand. So I made a quick ranch dressing from avocado mayo, dried parsley, dried dill, garlic powder, mustard powder, and lemon. The result was delicious.
How to make buffalo chicken sliders
The prep steps below include measurements alongside the instructions, so they may be easier to follow than the recipe card.
1. Mix the slaw
Step 1 might be the simplest thing you do all day. Mix these two ingredients in a medium bowl:
- 2 1/2 cups cole slaw mix (carrots and cabbage)
- 4 tablespoons of salad dressing, either blue cheese or ranch
Toss the slaw mix to coat the carrots and cabbage in dressing. Cover the bowl and pop it in the refrigerator.
2. Get your buffalo sauce and chicken together
In a medium sauce pan, add 2 tablespoons of butter and 1/2 cup of buffalo sauce. I like Frank’s but any red hot sauce will do. If you’re not sure, check the label for cayenne pepper and vinegar.
Melt the butter and sauce over low heat. Once the butter is melted and the ingredients are combined, add the shredded chicken. Stir and cook a few minutes more until the chicken is coated and hot.
3. Build the sliders
Next, lightly butter the inside of the slider buns. Place each bun in your toaster or face down in a skillet over medium heat. You want them to toast just a bit for texture. Optionally, you can flip and toast the top sides also.
To finish the dish, pile a heap of buffalo chicken on the bottom bun and top with the slaw mix. Add the top bun and serve.
Side dishes for buffalo chicken sliders
Buffalo chicken sliders pair with a wide range of side dishes. Here are some ideas, ordered from least healthy to healthiest:
- Mozzarella sticks
- Macaroni and cheese
- Potato salad
- Pasta salad
- Onion rings
- Potato skins
- Sweet potato fries
- Green salad
- Cucumber salad
- Pickles
- Carrot sticks
Drink pairings for buffalo chicken sliders
Beer is probably the drink of choice for buffalo sliders. If you’re a beer drinker, opt for lager or wheat beer.
You could also serve sliders with a rose or sparkling wine.
The co*cktail drinkers at your table will appreciate a bloody mary to complement the buffalo sliders or a mojito to provide a cool contrast.
Finally, your non-drinkers will enjoy iced tea or lemonade.
Yield: 12 sliders
Buffalo Chicken Sliders
This is a quick slider recipe that uses cooked, shredded chicken. It comes together in minutes and makes a great party dish.
Prep Time15 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 cup shredded chicken
- ½ cup hot sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 ½ cups shredded cabbage and carrot mix
- 4 tablespoons blue cheese salad dressing
- 12 slider buns
- Butter
Instructions
- Place cabbage and carrot mixture into a medium bowl. Add blue cheese salad dressing and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate until needed.
- In a medium saucepan, add butter and hot sauce. Cook over low heat until the butter has melted. Stir until well combined. Add shredded chicken and cook until heated through.
- Split the sliders buns in half and butter each half. Place face down in a frying pan over medium heat and cook until browned on the bottom. Pile buffalo chicken onto the bottom half of each slider bun, top with blue cheese slaw and place on the top half of the bun.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 480Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 53mgSodium: 630mgCarbohydrates: 51gFiber: 6gSugar: 11gProtein: 21g
Nutrition information isn’t always accurate.
