I remember the first time I made these on a rainy Sunday afternoon and my kitchen smelled like buttery bread and tangy heat. As I pulled a tray of golden, melty little sliders from the oven, the house felt instantly cozier. Spicy Buffalo Chicken Sliders arrive at the table like a warm, familiar hug with a mischievous kick, and everyone — kids included — somehow keeps coming back for just one more.

These sliders are the kind of recipe that feels both indulgent and effortless. The shredded chicken soaked in Frank’s hot buffalo sauce tastes bright and vinegary, the cheese stretches in long, gooey ribbons, and the toasted tops get that irresistible crisp edge from a buttery brush. If you love easy game-day grub or a fuss-free weeknight dinner, this recipe will become a staple. If you’re curious about a creamy dip to pair alongside, try the cheesy buffalo dip for a matching flavor vibe. I’ll walk you through everything so you get reliably delicious sliders every time.

Kitchen Essentials You’ll Need for Spicy Buffalo Chicken Sliders

These sliders are forgiving, but a few simple tools make the process so much nicer. A sturdy baking dish helps hold the sliders snugly so the juices don’t run off. Having a good mixing bowl and a spatula makes it easy to toss the shredded chicken in sauce without making a mess. A small pastry brush gives the tops that perfect buttery gloss. If you shred your own chicken, a couple of forks or a stand mixer will speed that job up.

Baking dish (9×13 works great)
Large mixing bowl
Pastry brush
Forks or stand mixer for shredding
Sharp knife and cutting board

These items keep the steps straightforward and help the sliders come out evenly heated, golden on top, and perfectly saucy beneath.

Why You’ll Love This Spicy Buffalo Chicken Sliders

There’s comfort in simplicity, and these sliders deliver it with attitude. The first bite is all about contrast: a pillowy slider bun gives way to saucy, shredded chicken, and a melt of cheese ties it all together. The heat from Frank’s hot buffalo sauce is bright and tangy, not cloying. That vinegar bite keeps the palate interested and makes every mouthful crave the next.

Emotionally these sliders are nostalgic. They’re the kind of thing you pass around at a casual gathering, spooning extra sauce when someone wants a little more zing. They are practical too. They reheat well, travel easily for potlucks, and scale up without drama for a crowd.

Fast assembly for busy nights
Crowd-pleasing comfort with a spicy edge
Easy to customize for milder or hotter tastes

If you enjoy dishes that balance creamy, spicy, and buttery elements — and want something portable and hand-held — you’ll find these Spicy Buffalo Chicken Sliders impossible not to love. For another comforting chicken pasta with spice, check out this creamy option: garlic parmesan chicken spaghetti.

Spicy Buffalo Chicken Sliders Ingredients

Use these main ingredients as your foundation. I always keep pantry staples on hand so a spontaneous slider night is possible.

Slider buns
Shredded chicken
Frank’s hot buffalo sauce
Cheese (e.g., cheddar or mozzarella)
Butter (for brushing the buns)
Optional toppings (e.g., blue cheese dressing, lettuce, pickles)

Pantry extras you might want to have: salt, black pepper, a pinch of garlic powder, and a splash of chicken broth if your shredded chicken needs loosening. For shredded chicken, you can use leftover roasted chicken, shredded rotisserie chicken from the store, or quickly poached breasts. The beauty is that those exact, simple ingredients come together into something homey and indulgent without a long ingredient list.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place a rack in the middle of the oven so the sliders bake evenly. You should feel the warmth building as you prep everything, and a steady, moderate oven temperature helps the cheese melt without burning the buns.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken with Frank’s hot buffalo sauce. Stir until coated. Use a spatula to fold the sauce through so every strand of chicken picks up that reddish-orange sheen. Taste a small pinch and adjust if you want it milder or more saucy.
Slice the slider buns in half and place the bottom halves in a baking dish. Arrange them snugly so they support one another. The bottoms will soak up some of the juices and become deliciously soft and saucy.
Spread the buffalo chicken mixture evenly over the bottom buns. Use the back of a spoon to press the chicken into a flat, even layer so each slider gets a good portion. You’ll see the chicken glisten and the sauce settle into the nooks of the bread.
Add your choice of cheese on top of the chicken mixture. Lay slices or sprinkle shredded cheese in an even layer. Watch for the cheese to cover the chicken in a creamy, melting blanket as it bakes.
Place the top halves of the buns over the cheese. Press down gently so the sliders feel like a connected little loaf. The tops will toast and crisp during baking, so keep them in place.
Brush the tops with melted butter. This step gives you that golden-brown shine and a savory finish. The aroma of butter toasting on bread in the oven is irresistible and signals they’re almost ready.
Bake for 15-20 minutes until the buns are golden brown and the cheese is melted. Check for bubbling cheese at the seams and a warm, toasty color on the tops. If the edges brown too quickly, cover loosely with foil for the last few minutes.
Serve warm with optional toppings. Pull the tray from the oven and let the sliders rest for a minute so the filling sets. Drizzle or dollop blue cheese dressing, add crisp lettuce, or tuck in pickles for crunch. Cut into portions and watch them disappear.

Fun Variations You Can Try

Swap the cheese: Use pepper jack for extra heat or smoked gouda for a deeper flavor. Mixing cheddar and mozzarella gives great stretch and taste.
Make it creamy: Stir a few tablespoons of cream cheese into the buffalo chicken before assembling for a luscious, tangy filling.
Go smoky: Add a touch of smoked paprika or use smoked chicken for a rich, barbecue-like profile.
Lighter option: Use Hawaiian sweet slider buns or whole wheat buns and reduce butter on top; substitute Greek yogurt mixed with hot sauce for a lighter, tangy filling binder.
Vegetarian twist: Roast cauliflower florets tossed in buffalo sauce, then pulse slightly in a food processor for a texture similar to shredded chicken.
Heat levels: Add cayenne for higher heat or honey for a sweet contrast to mellow the spice.
Make them party-sized: Use larger rolls and double the filling for full-size sandwiches that still keep the same flavor balance.

These small swaps let you tailor the sliders to moods and diets without losing that comforting buffalo flavor.

How I Love to Serve It

I love setting a tray of these sliders in the middle of the table and letting everyone help themselves. The visual is warm and casual — a cast-iron skillet or ceramic baking dish still bubbling a little, with napkins and finger bowls nearby. I pair them with crisp, cool sides to balance the spice.

Crunchy sides: Celery sticks and carrot batons with a small bowl of blue cheese dressing for dipping.
Starchy comfort: Oven-fries or sweet potato wedges tossed in smoked paprika feel cozy and filling.
Fresh contrast: A bright green salad with a lemony vinaigrette cuts through the richness.
For movie night: Popcorn seasoned simply with salt and a touch of grated parmesan rounds out a relaxed evening.

I often arrange them on a wooden board, garnish with chopped chives, and place little ramekins of extra buffalo sauce and blue cheese dressing nearby. It makes the meal feel festive without fuss. Lighting a couple of candles and serving cold drinks in mismatched glasses keeps things homey and inviting.

Helpful Tips from My Kitchen

Start with room-temperature butter for brushing so it spreads easily and gives an even sheen. If your shredded chicken is dry, warm it in a skillet with a splash of chicken broth before tossing with buffalo sauce. That little extra moisture makes a huge difference in texture.

Measure sauce to control heat: Start with a modest amount of Frank’s hot buffalo sauce and add more if you want extra heat.
Cheese distribution: Use thin slices or finely shredded cheese to help it melt uniformly over the chicken.
Assembly trick: Press the bottom buns gently toward the center of the dish to create slightly higher edges so the sauce doesn’t pool out too much.
Baking watch: If the tops brown too fast, tent loosely with foil during the last 5 minutes.
Make-ahead: Assemble the sliders, cover, and refrigerate for a few hours. Brush with butter and bake when ready; add an extra few minutes to the bake time if chilled.
Reheating: Reheat in a 350°F oven covered with foil to keep buns soft, or uncover at the end to re-crisp tops.

If you’re nervous about spice for kids, reserve some plain shredded chicken and serve with a bit of sauce on the side so everyone can customize. These tiny practical touches help you get consistent, delicious results every time.

Important Cooking Reminders

Keep food-safe temperatures in mind; store leftover sliders in the refrigerator within two hours.
Reheating: Warm in a 350°F oven covered with foil for 10-12 minutes until heated through. To re-crisp, uncover for the last 2 minutes.
Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze wrapped sliders for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat as above.
Common mistakes to avoid:
Over-saucing the chicken which can make buns soggy.
Skipping the butter brush; tops will be pale and less appealing without it.
Overbaking which dries out the filling and makes buns too crisp.

Nutritional Information (Estimated)

A single slider is a satisfying handheld portion. Estimated per slider: around 260–320 calories depending on cheese and butter amounts. Carbs mainly come from the bun, roughly 20–25 grams. Fat content comes from butter and cheese, about 12–18 grams. Protein is decent thanks to shredded chicken, roughly 12–18 grams per slider. These are estimates and will vary with portion size and ingredient choices, so adjust according to your toppings and bun type.

Recipe Details

Prep Time: 10–15 minutes
Cook Time: 15–20 minutes
Total Time: 25–35 minutes
Yield: About 12 sliders (depending on bun size)

Common Questions You Might Have

What kind of chicken works best? You can use leftover roasted chicken, shredded rotisserie chicken from the store, or quickly poached and shredded chicken breasts. If cooking chicken specifically for this recipe, poach gently in seasoned water until just cooked through, then shred with two forks for the juiciest texture. Using store-bought rotisserie chicken is the fastest route and adds extra flavor.

Can I make these ahead and bake later? Yes. Assemble the sliders in the baking dish, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 8 hours. When ready to bake, brush with melted butter and add an extra few minutes to the bake time if they are cold. For longer storage, freeze fully assembled but unbaked sliders; thaw in the fridge overnight and bake as directed.

How spicy will they be and how can I adjust the heat? The heat level depends on how much Frank’s hot buffalo sauce you use. For milder sliders, mix buffalo sauce with a bit of melted butter or cream cheese to tone down the heat. For more heat, add extra sauce or a pinch of cayenne. You can also balance spice with cooling toppings like blue cheese dressing or plain Greek yogurt.

Conclusion

There is something comfortingly simple about pulling a tray of Spicy Buffalo Chicken Sliders from the oven and watching everyone gather around. The tender, saucy chicken wrapped in bread brushed with butter, the melted cheese that strings between bites, and the bright vinegar bite of the buffalo sauce create a memory that feels like home. Whether you’re serving these for a casual game night, a cozy family dinner, or a quick weekend treat, they hold that special balance between easy and indulgent. Tweak the heat, swap the cheese, add crunchy pickles or cool blue cheese dressing — however you make them, they’re designed to be shared, savored, and remade again and again. I hope this recipe becomes one of those simple pleasures you reach for when you want warmth, a little spice, and a whole lot of comfort. Enjoy, and don’t forget to make extra for second helpings.

Spicy Buffalo Chicken Sliders

Author: admin
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 12 sliders
Diet: None

Print Recipe

Description

Comforting and indulgent sliders filled with spicy buffalo chicken and melted cheese, perfect for game days or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Slider buns
Shredded chicken
Frank’s hot buffalo sauce
Cheese (e.g., cheddar or mozzarella)
Butter (for brushing the buns)
Optional toppings (e.g., blue cheese dressing, lettuce, pickles)

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and place a rack in the middle.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken with Frank’s hot buffalo sauce and stir until coated.
Slice the slider buns in half and place the bottom halves in a baking dish.
Spread the buffalo chicken mixture evenly over the bottom buns.
Add cheese on top of the chicken mixture.
Place the top halves of the buns over the cheese and press down gently.
Brush the tops with melted butter.
Bake for 15-20 minutes until the buns are golden brown and the cheese is melted.
Serve warm with optional toppings.

Notes

Serve with celery sticks, carrot batons, or a green salad for a balanced meal. Customize with your favorite cheese or toppings.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slider
Calories: 300
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 600mg
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 16g
Cholesterol: 40mg

Keywords: Buffalo chicken, sliders, game day food, comfort food, easy dinner