Tangy BBQ Chicken Sliders with Coleslaw

These easy BBQ chicken sliders with crisp, tangy coleslaw are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. Juicy oven-baked chicken gets brushed with a sweet and tangy homemade barbecue sauce for finger-licking flavor. Topped with crunchy slaw and sandwiched between toasted buns, these mini sandwiches pack a flavor punch. Keep reading for the simple steps to putting together these saucy chicken sliders.

Flavorful Chicken

For convenient prep, use store-bought rotisserie chicken breasts or thighs. Remove the skin before shredding or chopping the meat into small pieces.

For extra juiciness and flavor, coat raw chicken breast halves with seasoning and bake until cooked through, then shred.

Cooking the chicken in the oven rather than grilling keeps the meat tender and prevents drying out.

Get Saucy

Toss the cooked chicken with a few tablespoons of barbecue sauce. This amps up moisture and flavor before assembling sliders.

Homemade Barbecue Sauce

While store-bought is convenient, nothing beats homemade barbecue sauce. Sauté onion and garlic, then add ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire, chili powder, paprika, mustard and spices.

Simmer until thickened to your desired consistency. Sweet and tangy pairs perfectly with chicken.

You can also make it spicy with hot sauce or smoky by incorporating chipotle peppers.

Regional BBQ Styles

Substitute tomato paste for ketchup for a Kansas City style. Use molasses and cider vinegar for North Carolina style.

Buttery Toasted Buns

Soft, squishy slider buns are a must. Look for petite dinner rolls, Hawaiian rolls or potato hamburger buns.

Brush the insides lightly with melted butter or oil before toasting to crisp up the interior and add richness.

Grill lightly on both sides until golden. Buns should still be pillowy soft in the center.

Creamy Coleslaw

A creamy, zesty coleslaw complements the saucy chicken perfectly in each slider. Toss shredded cabbage and carrots with mayo, vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper.

For extra crunch, add shredded or julienned jicama. Let the slaw chill for 30 minutes for juices to meld before assembling.

You can also dress the slaw with vinaigrette instead for a lighter touch.

Assembly and Serving

To assemble the sliders, spread both bun halves with barbecue sauce. Place chicken on the bottom, then top with coleslaw and the bun crown.

Serve immediately while buns are still warm and crisp. Insert toothpicks to hold them together if needed.

Serve any extra barbecue sauce and coleslaw on the side for dipping and topping.

Conclusion

These saucy BBQ chicken sliders with crunchy slaw deliver back porch flavor in miniature hand-held form. Easy to assemble but packed with textures and big bold tastes, they're perfect for parties and potlucks. The sweet tanginess of barbecue sauce paired with cool, creamy coleslaw will have everyone going back for seconds. Fire up a batch for your next warm weather get-together!

FAQs

1. What’s the best chicken to use?

Rotisserie chicken or baked boneless thighs work well. Stay moist.

2. Can I use bottled barbecue sauce?

Absolutely. Use your favorite sauce if short on time.

3. What kind of buns are best?

Go for soft dinner rolls, Hawaiian rolls or potato slider buns.

4. How long will assembled sliders last?

For best texture and flavor, serve sliders immediately after assembling.

5. What sides go well with them?

Potato salad, pasta salad, chips and dip are perfect pairings.