Easy BBQ chicken sliders made with rotisserie chicken, sweet Hawaiian rolls, caramelized onions, and crunchy coleslaw for a meal that everyone will love.
My family devours any slider I make, but these BBQ chicken ones have earned a special place in the rotation. I've tried buffalo chicken sliders, ham and cheese sliders, even pizza sliders, and none of them get the same reaction. That sweet and tangy combination just hits different. The day I made these as an after-school snack for my kids, he actually asked to save some for dinner. That's when I knew the recipe was a keeper.
I'll admit I was skeptical the first time. Would baking sliders really work as well as grilling them individually? Turns out, yes. The King's Hawaiian rolls turn soft with a golden top from the butter, brown sugar, and parsley glaze, and the chicken stays juicy thanks to those caramelized onions folded into the meat. But the coleslaw makes everything come together. That crunch, that freshness, it keeps the sliders from feeling heavy, and the tangy dressing balances the richness of the sauce.
The speed is another reason I keep coming back to this recipe. Rotisserie chicken handles the protein, the onions cook while the oven preheats, and from there it's just assembly. Within minutes the house smells incredible, and by the time I pull the pan out, everyone's already circling the kitchen. My husband eats his with potato chips while the kids have been caught sneaking extra coleslaw straight from the bowl.
Game day, weeknight dinner, feeding a crowd without exhausting yourself, these sliders fit all of it. They're flexible enough to customize with whatever's in your fridge and forgiving enough to reheat well on the rare occasion there are leftovers. Serve them straight from the oven, and don't be surprised when they vanish.
Ingredients
Rotisserie chicken makes these BBQ chicken sliders quick and flavorful. It's already seasoned, tender, and easy to shred, which saves a lot of prep time. You can use cooked chicken breasts or thighs instead, but rotisserie chicken stays juicier and has more flavor, especially once mixed with barbecue sauce.
King's Hawaiian rolls are what make these sliders extra soft and slightly sweet. That hint of sweetness pairs perfectly with smoky barbecue sauce and savory chicken. If you need a substitute, any soft dinner roll will work, but brioche-style rolls come closest in texture and flavor.
BBQ sauce really sets the tone of the sliders. Use a sauce you already love, whether it's sweet, smoky, or a little spicy. Since the chicken is fully cooked, the sauce is more about flavor than cooking, so choosing a good-quality BBQ sauce makes a big difference. Onion gets cooked in butter until soft and caramelized, which brings out its natural sweetness and adds depth to the sliders.
Brown sugar and dried parsley get mixed with melted butter to brush on top of the buns before baking. This creates a golden, slightly sweet glaze that makes the tops shiny and flavorful. Coleslaw mix and coleslaw dressing add crunch and freshness, keeping the sliders from feeling too rich or heavy.
See the recipe card for exact quantities.
How to Make BBQ Chicken Sliders
These BBQ chicken sliders are an easy, crowd-pleasing meal that comes together quickly using rotisserie chicken and soft dinner rolls. The combination of saucy chicken, sweet caramelized onions, and fresh coleslaw makes them perfect for game day, parties, or a simple weeknight dinner.
Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside. This helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup easier.
Cook the Onions
In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the sliced onions along with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring often, until the onions are soft, lightly browned, and translucent. Remove from the heat and set aside.
Prepare the Rolls
Mix the Chicken Filling
Assemble the Sliders
Make the Butter Topping
Bake the Sliders
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Cover the sliders loosely with foil and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the sliders are heated through. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes if needed, just until the tops are lightly toasted.
Prepare the Coleslaw
While the sliders are baking, prepare the coleslaw. In a bowl, combine the coleslaw mix and coleslaw dressing and stir until evenly coated.
Add the Coleslaw and Serve
Remove the sliders from the oven. Carefully lift off the top buns and set them aside. Spread the prepared coleslaw evenly over the chicken, then place the buns back on top. Serve warm.
Make it Better
These BBQ chicken sliders are easy to customize based on what you have on hand. Regular yeast dinner rolls or brioche slider rolls both work well if you do not have King’s Hawaiian rolls. Any shredded chicken can be used in place of rotisserie chicken, including chicken breasts or thighs cooked on the stovetop or in the oven. Just be sure to remove the skin and bones before shredding. You can also add cheese or pickles if you want extra flavor and texture.
If you prefer a sharper bite, raw red onions can be used instead of cooked white onions. For the coleslaw, using a bagged coleslaw mix and dressing keeps things quick, but you can also use prepared coleslaw or make your own with shredded cabbage, mayo, lime juice, salt, and pepper. You can even skip the dressing entirely if you want a lighter, crunchier topping.
Storage
Store any leftover BBQ chicken sliders in a sealed, airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For best results, let the sliders cool completely before storing. To reheat, warm the sliders in the microwave in 1-minute increments until heated through. If you're reheating multiple sliders, cover them loosely to prevent the bread from drying out.
Top Tips for BBQ Chicken Sliders
Choose a BBQ sauce you love: The sauce is the main flavor of these sliders, so using one you already enjoy makes a big difference. Sweet, smoky, or spicy all work well.
Do not overcook the onions: Cook the onions just until soft and lightly browned. Overcooking can make them bitter and overpower the chicken.
Add the coleslaw at the end: Adding the coleslaw after baking keeps it crisp and fresh. If it bakes with the sliders, it will become warm and soggy.
Recipe
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Easy BBQ Chicken Sliders
Equipment
- 9x13 Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 onion sliced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 12 count King’s Hawaiian dinner rolls
- 4 cups shredded rotisserie chicken skin and bones removed
- 1 cup BBQ sauce of choice
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon dried parsley
- 2 cups coleslaw mix
- 3 tablespoons coleslaw dressing
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter and add the sliced onions, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring often, for about 6-8 minutes until onions have browned and become translucent. Remove from the heat.
- Use a bread knife to slice the buns in half horizontally across then place the bottom buns onto the prepared baking sheet.
- In a large bowl, combine the rotisserie chicken, cooked onions, and BBQ sauce. Stir and coat the chicken in the sauce.
- Spread the coated chicken and onions in an even layer over the bottom buns. Then place the top buns back on.
- In a small bowl, add the butter, brown sugar, and parsley. Microwave for 10 seconds, just until melted. Stir to combine.
- Brush the butter mixture evenly on top of the buns.
- Tent with foil and bake for 15-20 minutes. Remove the foil and then bake for an additional 5 minutes if needed to toast the buns.
- While the sliders are in the oven, prepare the coleslaw. In a bowl, combine the coleslaw mix and coleslaw dressing.
- Remove the sliders from the oven, lift the top buns off and set aside, then spread the prepared coleslaw on top in an even layer. Place the buns back on top.
