These soft, slightly sweet Hawaiian rolls filled with tangy BBQ chicken and gooey melted cheese are the kind of comfort food that disappears in minutes at game day, potlucks, and busy weeknights. They’re fast to pull together, forgiving if you’re using leftover or rotisserie chicken, and hit that perfect sticky-salty-sweet spot every time — no grilling required. If you want another slow-cooker approach to shredded BBQ chicken for bigger crowds, check out this easy crockpot BBQ pulled chicken for a hands-off option.
Why you’ll love this dish
This recipe is the ultimate bridge between convenience and crowd-pleasing flavor. It takes pantry staples — shredded chicken, a bottle of BBQ sauce, a package of King’s Hawaiian rolls, and cheese — and turns them into handheld sandwiches that taste like you spent an hour fussing in the kitchen.
“The perfect weeknight slider: fast, cheesy, and gets rave reviews from both kids and adults.” — a reader favorite
Reasons to try it:
- Super quick: under 30 minutes from oven to table when using pre-cooked chicken.
- Budget-friendly: small ingredient list with high flavor payoff.
- Versatile: adaptable to different sauces, cheeses, and proteins.
- Great for feeding a crowd: 12 slider rolls serve a family or party with room for seconds.
How this recipe comes together
This is a simple assembly-and-bake recipe. You’ll toss cooked, shredded chicken with BBQ sauce, layer it on the bottom halves of split Hawaiian rolls, sprinkle with cheese, replace the tops, and bake until golden and melty. No flipping, no skewers, and minimal cleanup — the oven does the finishing work.
Timing overview:
- Prep (shredding chicken, mixing): 5–10 minutes.
- Assembly: 5 minutes.
- Bake: 15–20 minutes.
- Total active time: about 15 minutes; total elapsed about 30.
What you’ll need
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie or leftover chicken works great)
- 1 cup BBQ sauce (use your favorite—sweet or tangy)
- 1 package King’s Hawaiian rolls (12 rolls)
- 1–2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
Notes and substitutions: - Swap rotisserie chicken for leftover roasted chicken or shredded turkey.
- For a smokier flavor, use smoked cheddar or Monterey Jack.
- If you prefer spicy sliders, mix in a few teaspoons of hot sauce or use a spicy BBQ sauce.
Step-by-step instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish or similar-size pan.
- In a medium bowl, combine the shredded chicken and BBQ sauce. Stir until the chicken is evenly coated. Taste and add more BBQ sauce if you like it saucier.
- Slice the King’s Hawaiian rolls horizontally so you have a top and bottom layer; place the bottom halves in the prepared baking dish in one even layer.
- Spoon the BBQ chicken evenly over the bottom halves, spreading it to the edges. Don’t mound too high — aim for a level layer so the tops will sit evenly.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the chicken in an even layer. Use 1 cup for lighter coverage or up to 2 cups for extra cheesiness.
- Place the top halves of the rolls back on to form the sliders. If you like, brush the tops lightly with melted butter for extra shine and flavor.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the rolls are golden brown on top. If you want a crisper top, broil for 1–2 minutes — watch closely to avoid burning.
- Remove from oven and let sit 2–3 minutes. Slice between rolls if you baked them as a block, then serve warm.
Best ways to enjoy it
These sliders are perfect for casual meals and gatherings. Serve them with crunchy pickles, coleslaw, or a simple side salad to cut through the richness. For finger-food pairings, consider fries, tater tots, or baked beans.
For a lighter plate, pair the sliders with a crisp cabbage slaw and vinaigrette. If you want a spicy contrast, offer sliced jalapeños or pickled red onions. For a different technique and flavor profile, you can explore an air fryer bang bang chicken recipe for a crunchy, saucy chicken option that complements slider nights or party menus.
Storage and reheating tips
- Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days. If stored as a whole assembled tray, wrap tightly with foil or plastic before refrigerating.
- Freezing: For longer storage, freeze components separately. Freeze the shredded BBQ chicken in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. The assembled slider tray can be frozen but is best reheated covered in foil to prevent freezer burn.
- Reheating: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10–15 minutes (covered with foil to keep moist), or microwave individual sliders for 45–60 seconds until heated through. Reheat leftover chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safety.
- Tip: If reheating frozen assembled sliders, thaw overnight in the fridge and then reheat as above.
Helpful cooking tips
- Use warm, pre-shredded rotisserie chicken for the quickest route. If using raw chicken breasts, poach, shred, and then toss with BBQ sauce.
- Mix-ins: Stir diced onions, green chiles, or a scoop of ranch dressing into the chicken mixture for more complexity.
- Cheese choice matters: Cheddar gives sharpness; mozzarella gives stretch. A blend of both is a safe, crowd-pleasing option.
- Don’t over-sauce: Too much BBQ sauce can make the rolls soggy. If using very wet sauce, drain slightly or warm it to thicken before tossing with the chicken.
- Browning tip: For a glossy, golden top brush with melted butter and sprinkle a pinch of garlic powder before baking.
Creative twists
- Buffalo BBQ sliders: Swap half the BBQ sauce for buffalo sauce and top with blue cheese crumbles.
- Hawaiian teriyaki: Use teriyaki sauce and pineapple tidbits, then top with Swiss cheese.
- Vegetarian version: Replace chicken with shredded jackfruit or a plant-based shredded protein and use your favorite vegan BBQ sauce and cheese.
- Slider bar idea: Bake multiple trays with different cheeses and sauces, and let guests assemble their own toppings like pickles, slaw, or sliced onions.
Common questions
Q: Can I make these ahead of time?
A: Yes. Assemble them and keep covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking. If you assemble more than a day ahead, the rolls can become soggy — consider storing the chicken mixture separately and assembling just before baking.
Q: What if I don’t have King’s Hawaiian rolls?
A: Any small sandwich rolls or slider buns will work. Hawaiian rolls give that characteristic sweet flavor and soft texture, but potato rolls or brioche sliders are good substitutes.
Q: Can I use frozen chicken?
A: Use fully cooked chicken that’s been thawed first. If starting from frozen raw chicken, cook it thoroughly (bake, poach, or pressure-cook) and shred before mixing with sauce.
Q: How many sliders does this recipe make and can I scale it?
A: Using a 12-roll pack yields about 12 sliders. Scale the chicken and cheese proportionally to match larger packs or baking pans.
Q: Is it safe to assemble and freeze the sliders?
A: You can freeze assembled sliders, but for best texture freeze the chicken separately. If freezing assembled, wrap tightly and reheat from thawed or partially thawed in a 325–350°F oven until warmed through.
BBQ Chicken Hawaiian Sliders
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 sliders
- Diet: None
Description
Soft Hawaiian rolls filled with tangy BBQ chicken and gooey melted cheese, perfect for game day or weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 package King’s Hawaiian rolls (12 rolls)
- 1–2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish.
- In a medium bowl, combine the shredded chicken and BBQ sauce.
- Slice the King’s Hawaiian rolls horizontally and place the bottom halves in the baking dish.
- Add the BBQ chicken evenly over the bottom halves.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese over the chicken.
- Place the top halves of the rolls back on and brush with melted butter if desired.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes until the cheese is melted and the rolls are golden brown.
- Let sit for 2–3 minutes, slice, and serve warm.
Notes
For a smoky flavor, use smoked cheddar or Monterey Jack. Mix hot sauce into the chicken for spicy sliders.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American