BBQ Pulled Chicken Sliders
Highlighted under: Cozy Classics
Needed something for dinner that didn't take hours and had mostly pantry-staple ingredients, so I went with BBQ pulled chicken sliders. This whole thing runs about $8-10, and it turned out to be just the cozy meal we needed. The kids even love it, which is always a win in my book.
So here’s the thing, I had a couple of chicken breasts in the fridge and some BBQ sauce half-open in the pantry. Honestly, sometimes the simplest meals turn out to be the best. Instead of making a whole grilled chicken or something fancy, I just shredded those breasts and mixed them into the sauce.
From there, I decided to pile it on slider buns with some pickles and coleslaw on the side. The kids loved it, and I even snuck some extra veggies into the slaw to get them to eat another serving. I think next time I’ll try adding jalapeños for a little spicy kick!
Choosing Your Ingredients
When picking out your chicken, I recommend going for good-quality, boneless, skinless chicken breasts. They cook evenly and shred nicely. You could also use thighs if you prefer, which can be a bit juicier, just keep in mind they might take slightly longer to cook through.
For the BBQ sauce, I used Sweet Baby Ray's because it’s a crowd-pleaser in my house, but feel free to swap in your favorite brand or even a homemade version if you’ve got one. A smoky BBQ sauce tends to work nicely here.
A Quick Note on BBQ Pulled Chicken Sliders
I should mention that the coleslaw adds a great crunch and tang that really balances the sweetness of the BBQ sauce. If you’re short on time or ingredients, store-bought coleslaw is just fine. Honestly, I sometimes skip making the dressing and just grab a bottle ready to go.
If you’re making these sliders for a crowd, the sliders hold up well, but I suggest assembling them just before serving to avoid soggy buns. You could set up a little slider-making station to let everyone customize their own if you want to add a fun twist.
Ingredients
Gather these simple ingredients for a delicious meal.
For the pulled chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 3/4 cup BBQ sauce (I used Sweet Baby Ray's)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the sliders
- 4 slider buns (I like King's Hawaiian for extra sweetness)
- 1 cup coleslaw mix
- 1/4 cup coleslaw dressing
- Pickles for topping
Mix the coleslaw dressing with the coleslaw mix right before serving.
Instructions
Let's get cooking!
Cook the Chicken
Start by placing the chicken breasts in a pot with enough water to cover them. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 20 minutes, until cooked through. You can also use an Instant Pot if you want to cut down on time. Once cooked, drain and shred the chicken with two forks.
Mix with BBQ Sauce
In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, BBQ sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Make sure everything is well mixed. Honestly, I taste as I go to see if it needs more sauce or seasoning.
Prepare the Sliders
Slice the slider buns in half. If you want a little crunch, toast them lightly in the oven or on a skillet. Fill the bottom half of each bun with a generous helping of the BBQ chicken mixture.
Add Coleslaw and Pickles
In a small bowl, mix the coleslaw with the dressing to ensure it’s nicely coated. Top your chicken with a scoop of coleslaw and a few pickles. Then, place the top bun on and you’re ready to serve!
These sandwiches are messy but oh so good!
Troubleshooting
If your chicken ends up too dry, don’t worry—it happens! Just mix in a bit more BBQ sauce until it gets the right consistency. On the flip side, if it feels a little too saucy, you can add a bit more shredded chicken to balance it out.
A common issue when cooking chicken is it not shredding easily. If that happens, it might need a couple more minutes on the heat. Just pop it back on the stove for a few and give it another try. Sometimes patience is key!
BBQ Pulled Chicken Sliders Variations Worth Trying
If you’re in the mood for something different, consider using different sauces. Teriyaki or hoisin creates a nice Asian twist. You could even mix in some sriracha or hot sauce if everyone in your crew can handle the heat.
Another fun idea is to swap the coleslaw for something else. Avocado slices or sliced jalapeños can give it a unique kick. You could also try adding cheese—pepper jack is particularly tasty with BBQ chicken.
Questions About Recipes
→ Can I use chicken thighs instead?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs would work wonderfully and give it a richer flavor. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time since they may take a bit longer.
→ What do I do if I don’t have BBQ sauce?
You could use something like teriyaki sauce or even a homemade mix of ketchup and vinegar as a substitute. It depends on what you have on hand.
→ Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the pulled chicken ahead and just warm it up when you're ready to serve. The flavors actually get better with time!
→ What's the best way to store leftovers?
Store any leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge. It should last a few days, but honestly, it never lasts that long in my house!
→ How spicy is this recipe?
It’s pretty mild as written, but feel free to add some hot sauce or jalapeños if you like a kick. It's all about what your taste buds enjoy.
BBQ Pulled Chicken Sliders
Created by: The Simplecooktips Team
Recipe Type: Cozy Classics
Skill Level: Beginner
Final Quantity: 4.0
What You'll Need
For the pulled chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 3/4 cup BBQ sauce (I used Sweet Baby Ray's)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the sliders
- 4 slider buns (I like King's Hawaiian for extra sweetness)
- 1 cup coleslaw mix
- 1/4 cup coleslaw dressing
- Pickles for topping
How-To Steps
Start by placing the chicken breasts in a pot with enough water to cover them. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 20 minutes, until cooked through. You can also use an Instant Pot if you want to cut down on time. Once cooked, drain and shred the chicken with two forks.
In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, BBQ sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Make sure everything is well mixed. Honestly, I taste as I go to see if it needs more sauce or seasoning.
Slice the slider buns in half. If you want a little crunch, toast them lightly in the oven or on a skillet. Fill the bottom half of each bun with a generous helping of the BBQ chicken mixture.
In a small bowl, mix the coleslaw with the dressing to ensure it’s nicely coated. Top your chicken with a scoop of coleslaw and a few pickles. Then, place the top bun on and you’re ready to serve!
Nutritional Breakdown (Per Serving)
- Calories (kcal): 397
- Total Fat (g): 16.3
- Saturated Fat (g): 3.3
- Cholesterol (mg): 75
- Sodium (mg): 853
- Total Carbohydrates (g): 43.6
- Dietary Fiber (g): 2.1
- Sugars (g): 9.4
- Protein (g): 24.6