Crispy golden chicken meets melty cheese and just the perfect kick of heat in this Spicy Crispy Chicken Parmesan Sliders Recipe. It’s my go-to when I want a crowd-pleaser that’s simple but packs bold flavors you’ll crave.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Trust me, I’ve made this Spicy Crispy Chicken Parmesan Sliders Recipe countless times—it never fails to impress with crispy chicken, gooey cheese, and that spicy twist that sets it apart. Perfect for game day or a fun family dinner.
- Perfect balance of heat and crunch: The spicy breadcrumb coating gives each bite an addictive crisp texture with just enough kick.
- Melty cheesy goodness: Provolone and mozzarella sticks add a rich creaminess that makes sliders feel indulgent but still easy to eat.
- Quick yet impressive: These sliders come together in under an hour, making them great for last-minute guests.
- Customizable and fun to make: You can tweak the heat level, cheese types, and even the buns to suit your taste perfectly.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This recipe relies on a balance of crispy textures and rich, spicy flavors. I always make sure to use fresh ingredients to get that fresh-from-the-kitchen taste that homemade sliders deserve.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Thinly pounded for quick cooking and maximum crispiness.
- Buttermilk: Tenderizes the chicken and helps the coating stick perfectly.
- Flour with seasoned salt & black pepper: Forms the base layer of the breading, enhancing flavor right at the start.
- Eggs: Acts as glue to hold the breadcrumb coating onto the chicken.
- Breadcrumbs mixed with Parmesan and parsley: Adds crunch, cheesy depth, and a fresh herbal note.
- Olive oil and butter: The combo for frying creates a perfectly golden crust without dryness.
- Provolone cheese slices: Melts beautifully over the chicken and complements the spice.
- Marinara sauce: Adds acidity and classic Italian flavor that balances the richness.
- Frozen mozzarella sticks: Secret weapon that melts inside for extra gooey surprise.
- Slider buns: Soft but sturdy enough to hold all the delicious layers.
- Butter topping: Brushed on buns before baking for a golden, flavorful finish with garlic and herbs.
Make It Your Way
I love keeping this Spicy Crispy Chicken Parmesan Sliders Recipe flexible—whether you want it extra spicy or milder for kiddos, you can easily adjust the heat or cheese choices. It’s all about making it yours and discovering what combo you love best.
- Variation: I once swapped the provolone for sharp cheddar and added crushed red pepper flakes to the breadcrumb mix. It turned out fantastic and gave it a smoky twist.
- Make it milder: To take down the heat, reduce or omit any chili powder in the breadcrumbs and swap mozzarella sticks for regular shredded mozzarella.
- Dietary swap: For gluten-free options, try panko gluten-free breadcrumbs and gluten-free slider buns. Just make sure your seasoning blends are gluten free too.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Spicy Crispy Chicken Parmesan Sliders Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Pound the Chicken
Start by butterflying your chicken breasts so they’re thinner and cook evenly. I find pounding them with a meat mallet under wax paper gives me a consistent thickness—about three-quarters of an inch thick. Then, cut the breasts into pieces sized to fit your slider buns, usually halves or thirds. This step helps the chicken crisp nicely without drying out.
Step 2: Marinate in Buttermilk
Pop the chicken pieces into a bag or bowl with buttermilk. This tenderizes the meat and helps all those yummy coatings stick. I like marinating for at least 30 minutes, but if you have the time, overnight in the fridge really enhances juicy tenderness.
Step 3: Set Up Your Breading Station
Line up three bowls: one with seasoned flour (flour + seasoned salt + pepper), one with beaten eggs, and one with the breadcrumb mixture (breadcrumbs + Parmesan + parsley). Remove chicken from the buttermilk and shake off excess, then dredge each piece in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs. Don’t rush this part—make sure each piece is coated evenly for that crave-worthy crunch.
Step 4: Fry for Golden Crispy Perfection
Heat olive oil and butter over medium-high heat. The combo gives you great flavor and helps achieve that golden crust without burning. Fry the chicken pieces about 4 minutes per side until crisp and golden brown. Don’t crowd your pan or flip too early—this lets the coating seal and avoids soggy spots.
Step 5: Assemble Your Sliders
In a casserole dish, lay out the bottom slider buns, then top with the crispy chicken pieces. Spoon over marinara sauce generously, then layer with provolone slices and frozen mozzarella sticks. Pop the slider tops on next.
Step 6: Butter and Bake
Mix melted butter with sea salt, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, parsley, and Parmesan to brush over the top buns. Cover the sliders with foil and bake at 350°F (177°C) for 8 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake another 2–3 minutes to toast the tops until golden and perfectly melty inside.
Top Tip
I’ve found the secret to getting that unbeatable crunch and juicy inside is in the marinating and breading stages. Here are the key tricks that helped me master this Spicy Crispy Chicken Parmesan Sliders Recipe.
- Marinate long enough: At least 30 minutes, but if you can prep the night before, your chicken will be extra tender and flavorful.
- Don’t skip the triple-coating: Flour, egg, then breadcrumbs. It makes the crust cling and crisp up perfectly without falling off.
- Hot oil but not smoking: Medium-high heat works best so the chicken gets golden without burning. If your oil smokes, turn down your heat.
- Butter mixture on buns: This little step adds a gorgeous golden finish and a flavor boost you’ll notice with each bite.
How to Serve Spicy Crispy Chicken Parmesan Sliders Recipe
Garnishes
I usually add a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley on top after baking for a pop of color and freshness. Sometimes, a drizzle of extra marinara on the side for dipping is just the ticket. If you want a little more heat, crushed red pepper flakes work well too.
Side Dishes
My go-to sides with these sliders are crispy baked fries or a refreshing kale Caesar salad to balance the richness. Garlic Parmesan roasted broccoli also pairs beautifully if you want a veggie-packed option.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I love arranging the sliders on a wooden platter with little bowls of assorted dipping sauces—think garlic aioli, spicy marinara, or ranch. It turns an easy meal into a fun, shareable event that always gets compliments.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying the sliders, wrap any leftovers tightly in foil or place in an airtight container and refrigerate. They keep well for up to 3 days, and the flavors actually deepen after a day, if you ask me.
Freezing
I’ve frozen fully assembled sliders in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transferred them to freezer bags. This way, you can reheat just a few at a time. For best results, thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Reheating
To keep the crispy crust, I reheat sliders in a 350°F oven for about 10–12 minutes, uncovered. Microwaving tends to make them soggy, so if you’re in a hurry, a toaster oven is your friend!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! You can prepare the chicken and bread it a day in advance. Keep it covered in the fridge and fry just before assembling the sliders to maintain crispiness.
No worries. You can easily substitute by mixing milk with lemon juice or white vinegar, letting it sit for 5-10 minutes until slightly curdled. This mimics buttermilk’s acidity for tender chicken.
The spiciness can be adjusted easily. The original recipe is mildly spicy from the seasoned salt and optional chili flakes, but you can amp it up or dial it down based on your preference.
You can, but frozen mozzarella sticks melt differently, offering a delightful gooey center inside the slider that's trickier to replicate with fresh mozzarella slices. If you do use fresh, slice them thick and layer generously.
Final Thoughts
This Spicy Crispy Chicken Parmesan Sliders Recipe holds a special place on my table because it’s just so comforting and fun to make. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or entertaining friends, you’ll find this recipe delivers a satisfying hit of flavor and texture every single time. I can’t wait for you to try it and make it your own—it’s one of those dishes that brings smiles and full bellies for good reason.
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Delicious Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 sliders
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
These Chicken Parmesan Sliders feature tender breaded chicken breasts marinated in buttermilk, baked mozzarella sticks, provolone cheese, and marinara sauce, all layered on buttery slider buns for a flavorful and satisfying meal perfect for parties or family dinners.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ¾ cup flour
- 2 teaspoons seasoned salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large eggs, whisked
- 1 ½ cups breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- ½ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 6 slices provolone cheese
- ½ cup marinara sauce
- 18 frozen mozzarella sticks
- 6 slider buns
Butter Topping
- ¼ cup butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Butterfly the chicken breasts by cutting the seam to create two thinner slices about ¾ inch thick each. Cut each piece in half or thirds to fit the slider buns. Place the chicken in a gallon freezer bag with buttermilk and marinate for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
- Bread the Chicken: Set up three bowls: one with flour, seasoned salt, and black pepper; one with whisked eggs; and one with breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, and chopped parsley. Remove chicken from buttermilk, let excess drip off, dredge in flour mixture, dip briefly in eggs, then fully coat with breadcrumb mixture.
- Bake Mozzarella Sticks: Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake frozen mozzarella sticks for 7 minutes, then remove and set aside. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken pieces until golden brown on each side, about 4 minutes per side. Remove from heat.
- Assemble Sliders: Place slider bun bottoms in a casserole dish. Top each with cooked chicken, spoon marinara sauce over, then layer a slice of provolone cheese and three mozzarella sticks per slider. Place bun tops over the sliders.
- Apply Butter Topping and Bake: In a small bowl, mix melted butter with sea salt, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, fresh parsley, and Parmesan cheese. Brush this mixture on the slider bun tops. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 2 to 3 minutes until tops are golden brown.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve the sliders hot for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Slider Buns used are approximately 4 inches in diameter; bakery-style buns provide best texture and flavor.
- Buttermilk substitutes include: 4 tablespoons milk plus sour cream to make 1 cup; 2 tablespoons milk plus plain yogurt to make 1 cup; 1 tablespoon white vinegar plus milk to make 1 cup, let sit 5-10 minutes; or 1 tablespoon lemon juice plus milk to make 1 cup, let sit 10 minutes until curdled, then stir.
- Ensure chicken pieces are evenly pounded for uniform cooking.
- Using fresh parsley in the breadcrumb mixture and butter topping adds vibrant flavor.
- For crispier chicken, avoid overcrowding the skillet when frying.
- The slider assembly can be customized with different cheeses or sauces if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 500 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
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