There’s something irresistibly fun about these mini sandwiches bursting with smoky, tangy goodness. This Chipotle BBQ Chicken Sliders Recipe combines bold flavors and melty cheddar in a way that makes every bite a little celebration. Trust me, you’ll want these at your next get-together or even just a cozy night in.

There are nine small square sandwiches with golden brown soft tops sprinkled with chopped green herbs arranged in a 3x3 grid on brown paper. Each sandwich has layers of shredded orange cheese, reddish-brown sauced meat, and thin slices of purple onion peeking out from between the warm, toasted white buns. To the left is a round wooden bowl filled with dark brown sauce and a wooden spoon resting in it. Around the sandwiches, there are ridged golden potato chips scattered on the white marbled surface, along with sliced yellow pickles and some raw purple onion rings. In the top left corner, a basket holds more ridged golden chips, and on the right, a glass-brimmed drink with lemon wedges in a woven holder sits partially in frame. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chipotle BBQ Chicken Sliders Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Chipotle BBQ Chicken Sliders Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Chipotle BBQ Chicken Sliders Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

What really grabs me about this Chipotle BBQ Chicken Sliders Recipe is how effortless it is to make something that tastes so restaurant-worthy right at home. These sliders strike the perfect harmony between smoky chipotle heat and creamy, cheesy goodness—plus a touch of sweetness from those Hawaiian rolls.

Flavor Explosion: The chipotle mayo adds smoky heat that wakes up the BBQ chicken without overpowering it.
Perfect Size: These sliders are bite-sized, making them perfect for parties, game days, or even a fun dinner for two.
Simple Ingredients: You probably have most of these ingredients in your pantry and fridge already, so no complicated shopping trips.
Family-Friendly: You can easily adjust the spice level or toppings to suit everyone's taste buds.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient here plays a key role, bringing texture, flavor, and balance. The smokiness of chipotle peppers paired with the tangy BBQ sauce just makes the chicken sing, while the sweet Hawaiian rolls are the perfect roads that carry these bold flavours home.

Flat lay of a white ceramic bowl of shredded boneless skinless chicken breast, a small white bowl filled with rich reddish-brown barbecue sauce, a small white bowl containing creamy mayonnaise, one fresh chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, a small heap of bright orange sweet paprika powder, one whole garlic clove with intact skin, a few sprigs of fresh green cilantro, a small pinch of coarse salt crystals, twelve golden Hawaiian sweet rolls with a shiny crust, twelve slices of vivid orange cheddar cheese, a small pile of thinly sliced red onion rings, a small white bowl with melted golden butter, and a few sprigs of vibrant chopped parsley and chives, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Shredded Chicken Breast: Using shredded chicken helps the BBQ sauce coat every bite, making the sliders juicy and tender.
Barbecue Sauce: Choose your favorite brand or homemade BBQ sauce to bring that sweet and tangy foundation.
Mayonnaise: Creates the creamy base for the chipotle mayo, softening the heat just right.
Chipotle Pepper in Adobo Sauce: This smoky and spicy pepper is the secret that takes these sliders from good to unforgettable.
Sweet Paprika: Adds a subtle warmth and beautiful color to the chipotle mayo.
Garlic: Adds a punch of flavor, fresh and aromatic to the mayo.
Cilantro: Brings a bright, fresh note to balance out the smoky, rich flavors.
Hawaiian Sweet Rolls: Their natural sweetness perfectly complements the smoky-spicy combo inside.
Cheddar Cheese: Sharp and melty cheddar provides richness and that gooey texture that makes sliders so irresistible.
Red Onion: Thinly sliced for a bit of crunch and subtle zing that cuts through the richness.
Melted Butter: Brushed generously onto rolls to give them a toasty, golden finish.
Fresh Parsley and Chives: For a fresh, herbal finish that adds color and brightness to each slider.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love how flexible this recipe is. Feel free to play around with the heat level or switch up the cheese for something like pepper jack if you want more kick or mozzarella for a milder, gooier experience.

Variation: I once swapped out the red onion for pickled jalapeños, which gave the sliders a lively tang that my spice-loving friends adored.
Dietary tweak: For a lighter version, you can substitute mayo with Greek yogurt in the chipotle sauce—it’s tangy and healthier without losing flavor.
Seasonal change: Add some grilled pineapple slices for a tropical twist that pairs beautifully with the smoky chipotle.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Chipotle BBQ Chicken Sliders Recipe

A sandwich on a soft, browned bun with a shiny top sprinkled with small green chopped herbs. Inside, there are layers of shredded meat mixed with melted orange cheese and thin slices of purple onion. The sandwich is placed on a white marbled surface with some ridged potato chips nearby, which are orange and have small green herb bits on them. A wicker basket is blurred in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Toast the Rolls to Golden Perfection

Start by slicing your Hawaiian rolls in half and lining them on a baking sheet cut side up. Pop them under the oven’s low broil setting and watch closely—this step only takes a few minutes! You want to catch them just as they turn golden and toasty without burning. This creates a wonderful crunch that holds up when loaded with saucy chicken.

Step 2: Mix the BBQ Chicken

In a bowl, toss the shredded chicken with barbecue sauce until every shred is coated. This part is super simple but critical—getting that saucy coating right will ensure your sliders stay juicy and flavorful with every bite.

Step 3: Whip Up the Smoky Chipotle Mayo

Throw mayo, a chipotle pepper in adobo, sweet paprika, garlic, cilantro, and a pinch of salt into a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and well combined. This smoky, creamy spread is the secret weapon that adds depth and a gentle kick to the sliders. I like to make it just before assembling so it tastes fresh and vibrant.

Step 4: Layer Up Your Sliders

Brush the chipotle mayo lavishly on both the toasted top and bottom halves. On the bottom, place half of your cheddar slices, then pile on the barbecue chicken. Add thin slices of red onion over the chicken, then cover with the remaining cheese slices. Cap them with the mayo-covered top halves. This layering trick helps trap moisture and melds all those flavors during baking.

Step 5: Bake and Butter Up

Brush melted butter over the tops of the sliders, cover the pan tightly with foil, and bake at 350°F for 10 minutes. Then, uncover and bake for another 10-15 minutes until cheesy melty perfection and golden-brown tops. This two-step baking keeps everything wonderfully moist while giving the rolls a rich toasted finish.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Right out of the oven, sprinkle fresh chopped parsley and chives on top for a fresh burst of color and herbaceous brightness. Slice them apart and get ready for the best sweet, smoky, cheesy bites you’ve had in a while!

Top Tip

Throughout many attempts, I learned that watching those rolls carefully under broil is key — a few seconds too long and you risk burning! Plus, don’t skip the chipotle mayo, it’s what really transforms this recipe from “good” to “wow.”

Careful Toasting: Keep your oven door slightly ajar while broiling and watch closely—rolls can go from golden to burnt quickly.
Even Sauce Coating: Mix your chicken and BBQ sauce thoroughly to ensure every bite is flavorful.
Layering Technique: Placing cheese both under and over the chicken keeps everything melty and helps bind it all together.
Don’t Rush Baking: The covered then uncovered bake method locks in moisture and crisps the tops; skipping this won’t give you that perfect texture.

How to Serve Chipotle BBQ Chicken Sliders Recipe

Chipotle BBQ Chicken Sliders - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always top these sliders with fresh parsley and chives—not just for color but for a bright, fresh note that contrasts beautifully with the smoky, rich flavors. Sometimes I throw on a few pickled jalapeño slices for an extra kick.

Side Dishes

These sliders shine when paired with classic crispy fries or a light cabbage slaw to cut through the richness. For a comforting meal, roasted sweet potato wedges or a simple green salad work perfectly too.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I like to arrange these sliders on a large rustic wooden board, garnished with extra fresh herbs and bowls of extra chipotle mayo for dipping. Adding small skewers or toothpicks makes them easy to grab—perfect for casual entertaining!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any leftover sliders tightly wrapped in airtight containers in the fridge. They keep well for up to 3 days, and I find reheating them covered with foil helps keep them moist without drying out the bread.

Freezing

Yes, you can freeze these sliders! Separate them on a tray first to freeze individually, then wrap them tightly in foil or plastic wrap and pop them in a freezer bag. I usually freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, I wrap the sliders in foil and warm them in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes until heated through and melty again. Avoid microwaving, as it tends to make the rolls soggy and the cheese unevenly melted.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use pre-cooked chicken for this recipe?

Absolutely! Using pre-cooked, shredded chicken is perfect and makes this recipe a breeze. Just mix it with your favorite BBQ sauce and proceed.

How spicy is the chipotle mayo?

The chipotle mayo has a gentle smoky heat that can be adjusted by using less or more chipotle pepper. If you prefer milder flavors, start with half a pepper and add more to taste.

Can I make these sliders vegetarian?

Yes! Substitute the shredded chicken with shredded jackfruit or a plant-based chicken alternative and use vegetarian-friendly BBQ sauce to keep the smoky flavors intact.

What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?

Reheat leftovers wrapped in foil at 350°F in the oven for 15 minutes. This helps maintain the bread’s texture and melts the cheese evenly without drying out the sliders.

Final Thoughts

This Chipotle BBQ Chicken Sliders Recipe quickly became a favorite of mine because it balances smoky spice with sweet, cheesy comfort so well. Whether you're feeding a crowd or just want a fun twist on dinner for two, these sliders never disappoint. Give this recipe a try—you might just find yourself making them again and again, just like I do!