These Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Sliders with pineapple slaw are savory and delicious, super easy to make, and are so flavorful. A Hawaiian-style twist on a classic pulled BBQ chicken slider recipe.
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When people think of sliders, I’m willing to bet they either immediately think of Crystal’s or White Castle, depending on where in the state they live. These miniature burgers are synonymous with the word “sliders”, and that’s because that’s what sliders originally were. Today the word “sliders” refers to any small sandwich made with slider buns.
I first made these sandwiches about three years ago as something new for a potluck. I combined some leftover chicken with BBQ sauce and pineapple slaw to turn it into BBQ pulled chicken sliders with a twist.
It’s a delicious, hand-held feast that’s perfect for parties, potlucks, BBQs, or even just a fun weeknight meal. And you can use the leftovers the next day for lunch or snacking! If you love these chicken sliders then you’ve got to try my Buffalo Chicken Sliders or Crack Chicken Sliders next!
Why You’ll Love These Chicken BBQ Sliders
- So Easy to Make. Just a few simple steps and about 30 minutes is all that’s required to make BBQ sliders!
- Versatile Dish. Thees make a great appetizer for parties or get togethers but also an easy meal for lunch or dinner.
- Simple Ingredients + Great Flavor. All you need are a few simple ingredients for results that are so full of flavor!
Ingredients
It only takes a handful of basic ingredients to make these delicious sliders. You’ll easily find everything you need at your local grocery store.
- Chicken breasts: I usually rely on skinless and boneless breasts so there’s no skin or bones to mess with. They make shredded bbq shredded chicken sliders a snap to make.
- BBQ sauce: You can use any flavor or brand of barbecue sauce you like.
- Honey: For extra sweetness and a sticky finish!
- Pineapple juice: Adds fruitiness and a bit more sweetness.
- Mayonnaise: Spread on the buns before toasting or grilling. You can also use butter if you prefer.
- Hawaiian rolls: These mini rolls are perfect or making sliders. They also have a naturally sweet flavor that works especially well with the pineapple.
- Slaw: We’re using our pineapple slaw, from Great Grub, Delicious Treats! It mixes up in minutes using bagged slaw mix and canned pineapple along with a few other ingredients.
Variations
- Spicy Kick. Top with sliced jalapenos for a kick of heat. It’s like the tropical sun in your mouth!
- Make Them Cheesy. Top with your favorite cheese like pepper jack or cheddar cheese.
- Add Crispy Onions. Thinly sliced fried onion rings or french fried onions add a layer of crunch and flavor.
- Swap the Slaw. You can use any type of slaw you like! Keep it classic with a regular mayo slaw or use a spicy slaw for some spiciness. The possibilities are endless!
- Crispy Bacon. For a smoky meatiness you can also top the BBQ chicken meat with some crispy bacon. Love this when combined with some cheese too!
How to Make BBQ Shredded Chicken Sliders
Making these sliders is just as easy as gathering up the ingredients. It only takes a few simple steps.
- Step 1: Boil the Chicken. Place the chicken in a pot and boil until super tender.
- Step 2: Shred the Chicken. Place the chicken breasts in a large bowl. Shred using shredding claws or an electric mixer.
- Step 3: Make the BBQ Chicken Filling. Add the BBQ sauce, honey, and pineapple juice to the shredded chicken and mix until combined.
- Step 4: Grill the Buns. Spread mayo on the inside of the top and bottom slider buns. Then, grill the buns mayo side down until golden brown.
- Step 5: Assemble the Sliders. Add the chicken mixture to the bottom buns, top with the pineapple slaw, and add the top buns. Enjoy!
Storage Directions
- Store: Store the BBQ chicken filling and slaw separately in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the chicken filling for up to 3 months in an airtight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Never store your sliders after they’ve been constructed as they will not reheat well.
- Reheat: Reheat the filling in a saucepan on the stove or in the microwave. Heat your slider buns and then assemble when you’re ready to serve.
Serving Suggestions
You can serve all your favorite BBQ sides with this BBQ sliders recipe. Try them with some baked beans, potato salad, or coleslaw!
For meals they’re great with some homemade mac and cheese, baked potatoes, French fries, or crispy sweet potato fries.
I love them also for game day events or parties! They’re always a hit and I like them served with other favorites such as mini garlic bread pizzas and jalapeno corn dip!
Expert Tips
- Shred Hot Chicken. It’s much easier to do and you will have much better results.
- Choose Your Method for Shredding. The easiest way to shred the chicken is with a hand mixer. However, you can also use two forks or two shredding claws.
- Serve Immediately. Once assembled these chicken sliders on Hawaiian rolls are best enjoyed right away. Store the meat and slaw separately if you want to enjoy later.
Recipe FAQs
The best way to keep sliders from getting soggy is to serve them immediately after you make them. However, that’s not always possible. If you’re making a big batch of these for a party, try baking or toasting the inside of the buns to create a barrier against the moisture of the slider ingredients.
Yes. You can make the BBQ chicken filling in advance and then just heat it up the next day and add it to the slider buns.
These chicken BBQ sliders are absolutely overflowing with flavor while only using a few simple ingredients. Combining classic BBQ flavor with the tropical twist of pineapple juice, these sliders are a great new take on classic BBQ chicken sandwiches. Give this super tasty, super easy recipe a try, and I know you’ll love it as much as I and my family do.
More Easy Slider Recipes
Also, try these Pulled Pork Sliders from Great Grub, Delicious Treats. They’re loaded with tender pulled pork with BBQ sauce and topped with coleslaw.
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Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Sliders
Ingredients
- 3 chicken breasts
- 1¼ cup BBQ sauce
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup pineapple juice
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 12 slider buns
- pineapple slaw (from Great Grub, Delicious Treats)
Instructions
- In a saucepan, boil chicken until done.
- Drain water and place chicken in a large bowl.
- Using an electric mixer, shred chicken, then add BBQ sauce, honey and pineapple juice. Mix until combined. Set aside.
- Spread mayo on the inside of top and bottom slider buns.
- Grill mayo side down until golden brown.
- Add chicken mixture onto bottom buns, top with pineapple slaw and add top buns.
Notes
- Shred Hot Chicken. It’s much easier to do and you will have much better results.
- Choose Your Method for Shredding. The easiest way to shred the chicken is with a hand mixer. However, you can also use two forks or two shredding claws.
- Serve Immediately. Once assembled these BBQ chicken sliders on Hawaiian rolls are best enjoyed right away. Store the meat and slaw separately if you want to enjoy later.
