Picture this: game night, friends rolling in, and you drop a sizzling tray of buffalo chicken sliders on the table like a mic at the end of a killer speech. These aren’t just sliders—they’re miniature flavor grenades wrapped in buttery rolls. No complicated prep, no chef-y drama, just big flavor in tiny buns.
Warning: you might get designated “slider person” for every party after this. You’ll survive.
What Makes This Recipe So Good

- Maximum flavor, minimum effort: Rotisserie chicken + buffalo sauce + melty cheese. That’s the holy trinity of “I need this now.”
- Pull-apart perfection: Building the sliders as a whole and slicing afterward keeps everything juicy and intact.
- Balanced heat: The buffalo brings the kick, ranch or blue cheese cools it down, and a buttery topping makes it restaurant-level.
- Feeds a crowd: A 12-pack of slider rolls turns into a tray of hand-held happiness in under 40 minutes.
- Customizable: Spice level, cheese choice, and toppings are all flexible.
You do you.
Ingredients
- 12 Hawaiian-style slider rolls (or any soft dinner rolls)
- 3 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie works great)
- 1/2 to 2/3 cup buffalo wing sauce (adjust to heat preference)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (divided)
- 1 tablespoon honey (optional, for a subtle sweet balance)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar (or Monterey Jack)
- 1/3 cup ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing (plus extra for dipping)
- 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese (optional but excellent)
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions or finely chopped chives
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds or everything bagel seasoning (optional topping)
- Nonstick cooking spray
Step-by-Step Instructions

- Preheat and prep: Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment or spray with nonstick spray.
- Slice the rolls: Keep the rolls attached as a slab. Use a serrated knife to slice horizontally, creating a top and bottom sheet.
- Warm the chicken: In a mixing bowl, combine shredded chicken with buffalo sauce, 2 tablespoons melted butter, honey (if using), garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper.
Stir until evenly coated.
- Build the base: Place the bottom slab of rolls in the baking dish. Spread a thin layer of ranch or blue cheese dressing over the bread to create a moisture barrier.
- Cheese layer one: Sprinkle half the mozzarella and half the cheddar over the bottom rolls.
- Add chicken: Distribute the buffalo chicken evenly over the cheese. No dry corners—be generous.
- Cheese layer two: Top with remaining mozzarella and cheddar.
Add crumbled blue cheese if you’re going bold.
- Finish construction: Place the top slab of rolls on. Press gently to settle.
- Butter glaze: Mix remaining 2 tablespoons melted butter with a pinch of garlic powder. Brush over the top rolls.
Sprinkle sesame seeds or everything bagel seasoning if using.
- Cover and bake: Tent loosely with foil (nonstick side down if available) and bake for 12–15 minutes until cheese is melty.
- Uncover and crisp: Remove foil and bake another 5–8 minutes until tops are lightly golden and slightly crisp.
- Rest and slice: Let sit 5 minutes to set the cheese. Use a serrated knife to cut into 12 sliders. Top with green onions or chives.
- Serve: Plate with extra ranch or blue cheese dressing and celery sticks if you’re feeling classic.
Or skip the celery—no judgment.
Storage Tips
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat covered at 325°F for 10–12 minutes or air-fry at 300°F for 4–6 minutes.
- Freezer: Wrap individual sliders tightly in foil, then place in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight, reheat at 325°F for 12–15 minutes.
- Meal prep: Assemble fully, cover, and refrigerate unbaked for up to 24 hours.
Add butter topping right before baking.
What’s Great About This
- It scales perfectly: Double it for parties, halve it for weeknights. Your oven won’t complain.
- Texture heaven: Soft rolls, gooey cheese, saucy chicken, and a buttery crunch on top. It’s the full spectrum.
- Budget-friendly: Rotisserie chicken and pantry spices beat takeout prices and taste better.
FYI: your wallet just fist-bumped you.
- Kid and adult approved: Adjust the heat and it becomes a universal crowd-pleaser.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Over-saucing the chicken: Too much liquid makes soggy bottoms. Coat the chicken—don’t drown it.
- Skipping the foil: Covered baking ensures melty centers before the tops brown. No one wants burnt buns and cold cheese.
- Cutting too soon: Give it 5 minutes to set or your layers will slide like a landslide.
- Using pre-sliced rolls: Keep the slab intact for cleaner assembly and better structure.
- Forgetting the butter glaze: That glossy, savory top?
It’s not optional if you want “wow.”
Recipe Variations
- Spicy-spicy: Add diced pickled jalapeños or a drizzle of hot honey over the chicken.
- Ranch lover’s edition: Mix a ranch seasoning packet into the melted butter topping and skip the blue cheese.
- BBQ-Buffalo mashup: Go half buffalo, half smoky BBQ sauce for a sweet-heat combo.
- Garlic bread sliders: Brush the cut-side of the rolls with garlic butter and toast lightly before assembling. Crunch level: upgraded.
- Lighter touch: Use whole-wheat slider rolls, part-skim mozzarella, and Greek yogurt ranch. No, it won’t taste like sadness.
- Vegetarian swap: Replace chicken with shredded jackfruit or roasted cauliflower tossed in buffalo sauce.
- Bacon blueprint: Add 6–8 slices cooked, crumbled bacon between the chicken and cheese.
Obviously awesome.
FAQ
Can I use canned chicken?
Yes. Drain it very well and shred before mixing with sauce. Rotisserie has better texture, but canned works in a pinch.
What’s the best cheese for melt and flavor?
A combo of mozzarella for stretch and cheddar or Monterey Jack for flavor is ideal.
Pepper Jack adds a subtle kick if you like heat.
How do I keep the bottoms from getting soggy?
Spread a thin layer of dressing on the bottom rolls, don’t oversaturate the chicken, and bake covered first, then uncovered to finish. A parchment-lined pan helps, too.
Are these good served at room temperature?
They’re best warm, but they hold up at room temp for about an hour at parties. If they cool, a quick 2–3 minutes in the oven brings them back to life.
What buffalo sauce should I buy?
Frank’s RedHot Buffalo is the gold standard, IMO.
Any medium buffalo wing sauce with a buttery finish will work great.
Can I make them gluten-free?
Yes—use gluten-free rolls and verify your buffalo sauce and dressing are GF. Bake times remain the same; just watch browning.
How spicy are they?
Medium by default. Use mild sauce and extra ranch/blue cheese to keep it tame, or add hot sauce and jalapeños to crank it up.
Do I need to toast the rolls first?
Not required.
If you love extra structure, lightly toast the cut sides with garlic butter for 3–4 minutes before assembly.
In Conclusion
This Buffalo Chicken Pull-Apart Slider Bake is fast, loud, and dangerously irresistible—the exact energy your next hangout needs. It’s crispy on top, gooey in the middle, and perfectly sauced so every bite hits. Customize the heat, add your favorite cheese, and watch the tray disappear like magic.
Make one pan for the family or two for a crowd, and prepare for repeat requests. Consider this your new party power move.
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