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 chicken slider recipe.
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. They were exclusively small bite-sized hamburgers. These days, however, the word “sliders” refers to any small sandwich made with slider buns. They can be small hamburgers, deli sandwiches made on slider rolls, small pulled BBQ sandwiches – anything, really. In this case, my sliders are BBQ chicken with a tropical Hawaiian twist.
This isn’t a new recipe for me. I’ve been making it for several years. I first made these sandwiches about three years ago when I was trying to figure out what I was going to take to a potluck. I decided on sliders, but I wanted to do something a little different. I’d already brought sliders to a ton of parties over the past year – I was on a bit of a slider kick, I’ll admit. I decided to use some leftover chicken I had and turn it into BBQ chicken sliders with a twist. I added a little something extra to give them a delicious tropical vibe.
Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Sliders
These delicious sliders combine shredded chicken breasts with BBQ sauce and an extra kick of tropical flavor thanks to honey and pineapple juice. It all comes together to create a tender, juicy, tropical BBQ slider that’s topped with pineapple slaw to really gild the lily. 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!
Why You’ll Love These Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Sliders
- They’re super easy to make.
- They’re so full of flavor and make a great appetizer, lunch, or dinner.
- They only use a few simple ingredients.
Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Sliders Tips and Variations
This is an incredibly easy recipe to make, but I do have a tip or two to help you make them the best that they can possibly be. I also have some fun variations that you can try, as well.
Tips
- Shred your chicken when it’s hot. Cool chicken won’t shred very well.
- The easiest way to shred the chicken is with a hand mixer. However, you can also use two forks or two shredding claws.
Variations
- Top with sliced jalapenos for a kick of heat. It’s like the tropical sun in your mouth!
- Top with your favorite cheese like pepper jack or cheddar cheese.
- Brush the rolls with melted butter and toast them to give them a crispy texture.
Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Sliders FAQ
If you have questions about these Hawaiian chicken sliders, then read on. The following FAQ answers the most commonly asked questions about this recipe.
What is a slider?
Originally, a slider was exclusively a small hamburger made with a bun. They were typically about 2 inches across. These days, however, the term “sliders” refers to any small sandwich made with slider buns.
Who invented sliders?
Sliders were invented in 1916 by Walter Anderson, who would go on to found White Castle five years later.
Why are they called sliders?
Sliders got their name from Navy sailors in the 1940s. They referred to the mini-burgers as sliders because of their extreme greasiness. These burgers would slide right down.
What goes on BBQ sliders?
There are several options when it comes to BBQ sliders. You can add whatever you’d add to a normal BBQ sandwich. All of these work well.
- Mayo for the buns
- Cheese
- Coleslaw
- Yellow slaw
- Fried onion strings
How do you keep sliders from getting soggy?
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.
Can this BBQ chicken sliders recipe be made in advance?
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.
How long will BBQ chicken sliders last in the fridge?
Never store your sliders after they’ve been constructed. Instead, store our BBQ chicken filling in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the filling and add it to the slider buns when ready to serve.
Can you freeze BBQ chicken sliders?
You can freeze the BBQ chicken filling for up to 3 months in an airtight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag.
What goes with Hawaiian BBQ chicken sliders?
You can serve all your favorite BBQ sides with these sliders. Some great options include:
- Baked beans
- Potato salad
- Mac and cheese
- French fries
- Sweet potato fries
- Baked potatoes
- Coleslaw
Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Sliders Ingredients
It only takes a handful of simple ingredients to make these delicious sliders. You’ll easily find everything you need at your local grocery store.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts
- BBQ sauce
- Honey
- Pineapple juice
- Mayonnaise
- Slider Hawaiian rolls
- Pineapple slaw, from Great Grub, Delicious Treats
How to Make Hawaiian BBQ 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, then shred using shredding claws or an electric mixer.
Step 3: Make the BBQ Chicken Filling
Add BBQ sauce, honey, and pineapple juice to the shredded chicken and mix until combined.
Step 4: Make the Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Sliders
Spread mayo on the inside of the top and bottom slider buns. Then, grill the buns may side down until golden brown. Add the chicken mixture to the bottom buns, top the filling with pineapple slaw, and add the top buns. Enjoy!
Try These Delicious Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Sliders Today
These Hawaiian BBQ chicken 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.
Here Are A Few More Delicious Slider Recipes
Buffalo Chicken Sliders – Crispy, buffalo-style chicken, topped with a slice of cheese, and placed on a sweet Hawaiian roll. These make a great appetizer or a fun dinner.
Crock Pot Crack Chicken Sliders – Tender and juicy, slow cooked chicken that is made with ranch seasoning, cream cheese, and placed on jalapeno cheddar sliders.
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.
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.
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