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Buffalo jalapeño popper chicken sliders are creamy, spicy, and baked on soft Hawaiian rolls for the ultimate crowd-friendly dinner or party food. These easy chicken sliders come together fast and are ideal for game day, hosting, or weeknight comfort food.
about this buffalo chicken sliders recipe
These buffalo jalapeño popper chicken sliders are everything chaotic in the best way — creamy, spicy, cheesy, and baked into soft Hawaiian rolls with buttery garlic tops. They’re built for game days, parties, and nights when you want real comfort food that doesn’t require a full production schedule.
This recipe combines shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, cream cheese, jalapeños, and melty cheese for a filling that’s rich, bold, and insanely craveable. It’s basically buffalo chicken dip meets jalapeño poppers meets sandwiches — but shoved into a handheld situation that people won’t be able to stop grabbing.
Whether you’re feeding a crowd, hosting friends, or just making dinner feel fun again, these chicken sliders deliver big flavor without complicated prep, fancy techniques, or a sink full of dishes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These chicken sliders hit the sweet spot between indulgent comfort food and practical, no-stress cooking . It’s all about the bold flavor, simple prep, and zero chaos in the kitchen.
- Bakes in under 15 minutes
- Creamy, spicy filling with real texture
- Easy to scale for parties or game day
- Make-ahead friendly
- Crowd-approved flavor combo
- Works for dinner, apps, or party spreads
- No complicated steps or special equipment
ingredients
chicken. Use shredded rotisserie chicken, leftover roast chicken, or slow-cooker chicken. If you don’t have leftover chicken, there are instructions in the recipe card to make chicken specifically for these sliders. Thigh meat also works if you want a richer, juicier texture.
spices. You will need a combination of salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper to make this recipe.
buffalo sauce. We love Frank’s Red Hot Sauce, but you can use your favorite brand of buffalo sauce. Use classic buffalo sauce for heat and tang, or mild buffalo for crowd-friendly sliders.
cream cheese. Make sure to soften it to ensure smooth mixing. Neufchâtel works for a lighter option, if desired.
mayonnaise. You only need a little bit to amp up the creaminess. Plain greek yogurt can also be used, but it will result in a tangier result.
worcestershire sauce. Adds depth and umami. Soy sauce can substitute in a pinch (use a little less than called for).
jalapenos. Fresh jalapeños add heat and crunch. Pickled jalapeños add tang and softer heat. Both work!
butter. Use unsalted butter for this recipe, to make sure the result isn’t too salty.
parsley. Optional, but it adds a little pop of freshness to the melted butter brushed on top of the buns.
sweet rolls. Hawaiian sweet rolls are perfectly sweet and balance out the spicy filling. You can also use brioche slider buns. Avoid crusty rolls, though.
cheeses. A combination of shredded cheddar cheese and shredded mozzarella cheese give you the ideal cheesiness and melted goodness. You could also use colby jack instead of cheddar, if preferred.
this recipe’s must-haves
You’ll need a 9×13-inch baking dish for assembling and baking the chicken sliders. Glass or ceramic both work well.
A large mixing bowl for combining the buffalo jalapeño popper filling. You want enough space to fully incorporate the cream cheese without fighting the sides of the bowl. A rubber spatula makes mixing smoother.
A serrated knife for slicing the slider rolls evenly while keeping them connected.
For the garlic butter, a small bowl and whisk (or fork) is all you need. Brushing the tops is easiest with a pastry brush, but a spoon works fine if you’re winging it.
how to make buffalo chicken sliders
make filling
Stir together the seasoning for the chicken in a large bowl, then add the warmed, shredded chicken. Stir to coat the chicken evenly.
Add the buffalo sauce, cream cheese, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, and jalapenos. Mix until fully combined and creamy. Set aside.
make garlic butter
In a small bowl, whisk together the butter, parsley, and garlic powder for the butter topping. Set aside.
assemble
Slice the rolls in half horizontally, trying as best you can to keep them connected.
Place the bottom half of the rolls in a greased baking dish. Sprinkle half of each type of cheese evenly on top. Add the buffalo chicken filling and spread it in an even layer. Top with the remaining cheeses.
Add top buns and brush generously with the garlic butter.
bake
Bake at 350˚F for 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the tops are golden brown and toasty.
Slice and serve.
Tips for Success
Soften cream cheese fully for smooth mixing.
Season the chicken before mixing to make sure the chicken has a lot of flavor. You shouldn’t rely on sauce alone.
Use a serrated knife to keep rolls intact when slicing them in half.
Be careful not to overbake them because Hawaiian rolls can dry out very quickly.
Broil the sliders for 1 to 2 minutes at the end for extra golden tops (watch closely so it doesn’t burn!).
variations
- Extra cheesy: Use pepper jack instead of mozzarella for more heat
- Mild version: Use mild buffalo sauce and pickled jalapeños
- Smoky: Add 1/2 tsp smoked paprika to the chicken seasoning and add charred sliced red pepper, if desired.
- Low carb: Serve filling in lettuce cups instead of rolls for a chilled appetizer/dinner
- Wrap style: Spoon into tortillas for buffalo chicken wrap
More tasty sliders to try: Crunch Cheeseburger Sliders | Salmon Cake Sliders | Roast Beef Sliders | BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders
faqs
Are these spicy?
I’d say these sliders are moderately spicy. You can control the heat though with cayenne, jalapenos and your choice of buffalo sauce.
Can I make them ahead?
Definitely! Assemble them and cover with plastic wrap before adding the garlic butter on top. Refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Brush with garlic butter just before baking. You may need to add a few minutes to the cooking time to ensure they are warmed through!
Do they reheat well?
Yes! Reheat them in the oven to keep the rolls from getting soggy.
Need more inspiration for appetizers? Check out my appetizers recipe page!
what to serve with buffalo jalapeno popper chicken sliders
These sliders are rich and bold, so pairing them with something fresh or crisp balances everything out:
- Celery slaw with lemon vinaigrette
- Simple green salad
- Ranch or blue cheese dip
- Roasted vegetables
- Coleslaw
- Pickles and crunchy veggies
- Chips and guacamole
- Fresh fruit tray
how to store
Store. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat. Remove from the fridge and add to a baking dish. Reheat at 325˚F for about 5 to 10 minutes until warmed through. You can also use the microwave but it will soften the rolls.
more ways to use leftover shredded chicken
Need some more ideas for that leftover shredded chicken?
Finally, if you make this buffalo chicken sliders recipe, please be sure to give this easy recipe a star recipe rating on the recipe card and/or leave a comment! I love to hear when you all make recipes, and I do take the time to respond to every single comment.
Feel free to drop questions below too, if you have them!
Oh and be sure to tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest if you make the recipe! I love being able to see these recipes come to life in your homes – it’s my favorite thing to look through those photos. It really means the world to me!
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buffalo jalapeno popper chicken sliders
ingredients
- 3 cups shredded, cooked chicken breast or thigh or combination of the two
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce or Frank's Red Hot Sauce
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- 2 Tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 to 3 jalapeños finely diced (fresh or pickled)
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 12 Original Hawaiian Sweet Rolls 1 pack
- 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
- If the shredded chicken is not already warm, warm it gently in the microwave in a microwave-safe bowl until warmed through. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, stir together the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Add the cooked, shredded chicken and toss in the seasoning blend to coat.
- Stir in the buffalo sauce, cream cheese, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, and jalapeños, mixing until the cream cheese is fully incorporated and the mixture is evenly combined.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the garlic butter ingredients. Set aside.
- Using a serrated knife, slice the Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally, keeping the rolls connected. Place the bottom half of the rolls into the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle half of the cheddar and mozzarella evenly over the rolls. Spoon the buffalo chicken mixture over the cheese and spread into an even layer. Top with the remaining cheese.
- Place the top half of the rolls over the cheese layer and gently press down. Brush the tops generously with the garlic butter.
- Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese is fully melted and the tops of the rolls are golden brown.
- Slice and serve warm.
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about meghan
Meghan Yager is the recipe developer, food photographer, and creative force behind Cake ‘n Knife, where everyday moments are celebrated with bold, flavor-forward recipes. From cozy cocktails to bold appetizers and indulgent desserts, her approachable style brings people together around food worth sharing. Meghan’s work has been featured by Good Housekeeping, Oprah Daily, Today, Woman’s Day, and The Huffington Post. She lives in Denver, where she brings big flavor and a little sass to every bite.
