BBQ Chicken Sliders with Purple Cabbage, Spicy Pickles, and Parmesan Recipe
These BBQ Chicken Sliders are a delicious and easy-to-make meal perfect for gatherings or a quick dinner. Tender shredded chicken tossed in tangy barbecue sauce is layered with crunchy purple cabbage, spicy pickles, and optional creamy mayo on soft Hawaiian slider buns. Baked until the tops are golden and sprinkled with Parmesan and fresh cilantro, these sliders offer a perfect blend of smoky, spicy, and fresh flavors in every bite.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings (12 sliders) 1x
- Category: Sandwiches
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Sliders
- 12 Hawaiian slider buns
- 3 cups cooked shredded chicken
- ⅓–1 cup barbecue sauce (start with ⅓ cup and add more as needed)
- 1½ cups chopped purple cabbage
- ¼ cup chopped spicy pickles
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh cilantro
Optional Pickled Onions
- 1 medium red onion, very thinly sliced
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup distilled white vinegar
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1½ tablespoons maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Preheat your oven to 350ºF. In a medium bowl, combine the shredded cooked chicken with ⅓ cup barbecue sauce, stirring well until all the chicken is coated. Add more sauce if you prefer it saucier.
- Slice the rolls: Carefully cut the slider buns in half horizontally to create a sheet of bottom buns and a sheet of top buns. For easier slicing, let the buns sit out at room temperature for a few minutes to dry slightly.
- Assemble the base: Place the bottom halves of the buns in a 9×9-inch baking dish. Optionally, drizzle some mayonnaise or kewpie mayonnaise over the buns for extra creaminess. Scatter the chopped purple cabbage evenly over the buns, then evenly pile on the sauced shredded chicken.
- Add toppings: Sprinkle the chopped spicy pickles and any additional desired toppings such as pickled onions or fresh cilantro over the chicken layer. Then place the top halves of the slider buns over the assembled ingredients.
- Prepare for baking: Brush the tops of the slider buns with melted butter and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese. Cover the baking dish tightly with foil.
- Bake: Place the covered sliders in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the tops are golden, slightly crispy, and browned.
- Serve and garnish: Remove the sliders from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes. Use a sharp knife to cut them into individual sliders. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro before serving.
- Optional pickled onions preparation: To prepare the optional pickled onions, combine water, distilled white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, and salt in a container. Add the thinly sliced red onions, let them marinate at least 30 minutes before serving to develop flavor.
Notes
- You can use any slider buns of your choice, though Hawaiian rolls add a sweet, soft texture.
- Shredded beef or pork are great substitutions for chicken if preferred.
- Choose pickles based on your flavor preference; sweet/spicy pickles work especially well.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Adding mayonnaise or kewpie mayo to the rolls before assembling adds a creamy flavor and texture but is optional.
- Prepare the optional pickled onions ahead for an extra tangy topping.
Keywords: BBQ Chicken Sliders, BBQ Sliders, Hawaiian Sliders, Shredded Chicken Sandwich, Party Sliders, Easy Slider Recipe