One day, the kitchen smelled like game day from the moment I pulled out the hot sauce. My son had invited a couple of friends over to watch a preseason football game, and my daughter was halfway through telling me how she “wasn’t that hungry” when she caught sight of the cheese pile on the counter.
Within minutes, both of them were suddenly “starving.” My husband was in the living room pretending to watch TV but keeping an ear open for the clink of mixing bowls — his way of making sure he wouldn’t miss out when the food came out hot.
Buffalo chicken has always been a safe bet in our house, but sliders make it even better — bite-sized, hand-held, and dangerously easy to grab “just one more” without realizing you’ve had four. I like that they’re quick enough to make without feeling chained to the kitchen, but still impressive enough for guests. You can assemble them ahead of time, pop them in the oven when everyone’s ready, and they come out with that perfect blend of spicy, cheesy, and garlicky goodness.
I have a soft spot for recipes that make people gather around the counter instead of scattering to different corners of the house. These sliders do exactly that. The pan is always empty faster than I expect, and I’ve learned to just make a double batch if I want leftovers. Spoiler: there still won’t be leftovers.
Short Description
Spicy Buffalo Chicken Sliders are soft, buttery buns stuffed with shredded chicken tossed in tangy buffalo sauce, topped with gooey melted cheese, and brushed with garlicky butter. Perfect for parties, game nights, or a quick family dinner.
Key Ingredients
For the Slider Assembly:
- 9 slider buns
- 1 1/2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1/2 cup Frank’s buffalo hot sauce
- 2 tablespoons ranch dressing
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend)
For the Garlic Butter:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Tools Needed
- 9×9-inch baking sheet or casserole dish
- Mixing bowl
- Pastry brush
- Foil
- Parchment paper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Heat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×9-inch baking sheet or casserole dish with parchment paper.
Step 2: Mix the Filling
In a mixing bowl, combine shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Stir until evenly coated.
Step 3: Assemble the Sliders
Place the bottoms of the slider buns on the baking sheet. Spread the chicken mixture evenly over each bun base, then sprinkle shredded cheese on top. Add the bun tops.
Step 4: Make the Garlic Butter
In a small bowl, mix melted butter with garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Brush generously over the tops of the buns.
Step 5: Bake
Cover the pan tightly with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 5–10 minutes, until the tops are golden and cheese is melted.
Step 6: Serve
Cut sliders apart and serve hot.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Flavor Punch: Tangy buffalo sauce, creamy ranch, and melted cheese in every bite.
Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for feeding a group without much fuss.
Quick to Make: 25 minutes from prep to table.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Assemble earlier and bake right before serving.
Portable: Great for picnics, potlucks, and tailgates.
Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions
Over-saucing the chicken: Too much sauce makes the buns soggy. Stick to the recipe measurements or toast the buns lightly before assembly.
Using cold chicken: Cold filling increases bake time and can leave cheese under-melted. Use room-temperature or slightly warm chicken.
Skipping foil in the first bake: This keeps the buns soft while the cheese melts. Without it, the tops may brown too fast.
Rushing the butter step: Brush evenly to avoid dry spots.
Cutting immediately after baking: Let sliders sit for 2 minutes so filling stays intact.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Pair with celery sticks and blue cheese dip for a classic buffalo combo.
Serve alongside a crisp coleslaw or a fresh green salad.
Make it a game-day spread with chips, nachos, and vegetable trays.
For drinks, cold beer, lemonade, or iced tea complement the spice.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freeze: Wrap tightly in foil and freeze for up to 1 month.
Reheat (Oven): Warm at 325°F for 10–12 minutes.
Reheat (Microwave): Heat 20–30 seconds, though bread will be softer.
Tip: Brush lightly with butter before reheating to refresh flavor.
FAQs
1. Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Yes, it’s a quick and flavorful shortcut. Just shred and season as directed.
2. Can I swap ranch for blue cheese dressing?
Absolutely, it’ll give a stronger, tangier bite.
3. What’s the best cheese to use?
Cheddar for sharpness, mozzarella for meltiness, or a mix of both.
4. Can I make these less spicy?
Use mild buffalo sauce or reduce the amount.
5. Can I cook them in an air fryer?
Yes, but work in batches. Air fry at 320°F for 6–8 minutes, checking halfway.
Tips & Tricks
Warm the buns slightly before assembly for extra softness.
Double the garlic butter for dipping on the side.
Add thinly sliced pickles for a tangy crunch.
Sprinkle extra cheese under the top buns for an extra gooey layer.
Toast buns lightly before assembling if you like a firmer texture.
Recipe Variations
BBQ Chicken Sliders: Swap buffalo sauce for BBQ sauce, keep ranch or swap for coleslaw.
Buffalo Turkey Sliders: Use shredded turkey instead of chicken for a leaner option.
Cheesy Jalapeño Buffalo Sliders: Add sliced jalapeños over the cheese layer for extra heat.
Veggie Buffalo Sliders: Replace chicken with roasted cauliflower or jackfruit for a vegetarian twist.
Buffalo Breakfast Sliders: Use scrambled eggs and chicken sausage in place of shredded chicken, keeping the buffalo sauce and cheese.
Final Thoughts
The spice wakes up your taste buds, the cheese pulls stretch with each bite, and that garlicky butter makes them impossible to resist. I’ve brought these to block parties, family movie nights, and even packed them for road trips. Each time, someone asks for the recipe — which is the best compliment you can get as a home cook.
I love recipes that give you big flavor without a long list of steps, and this one fits the bill. No complicated techniques, no rare ingredients — just the kind of good, shareable food that disappears quickly. If you’re feeding friends, teenagers, or just yourself on a busy weeknight, these spicy buffalo chicken sliders will earn a spot on your regular rotation.
Spicy Buffalo Chicken Sliders
Ingredients
For the Slider Assembly:
- 9 slider buns
- 1½ cups cooked shredded chicken
- ½ cup Frank’s buffalo hot sauce
- 2 tablespoons ranch dressing
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup shredded cheese cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend
For the Garlic Butter:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Set oven to 350°F and line a 9×9-inch pan with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, stir together chicken, buffalo sauce, ranch, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Place bottom buns in the pan. Add chicken mixture, sprinkle with cheese, and top with the other buns.
- Mix melted butter, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Brush over the bun tops.
- Cover with foil and bake 15 minutes. Remove foil and bake 5–10 more minutes until golden and melted.
- Slice and enjoy hot.
