BBQ Pulled Chicken Sliders (Printable)

Tender BBQ chicken on sweet Hawaiian rolls makes for an effortless crowd-pleasing meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

→ Sauce & Seasonings

02 - 1 cup BBQ sauce, plus extra for serving
03 - 1/2 cup chicken broth
04 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 tbsp olive oil
07 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
09 - 1/2 tsp kosher salt

→ Slider Assembly

10 - 12 soft Hawaiian rolls, split
11 - 2 tbsp melted butter (optional for toasting)
12 - 1 cup coleslaw, store-bought or homemade (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F for optional roll toasting.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
03 - Add chicken breasts to the skillet along with chicken broth, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Pour BBQ sauce over the top. Cover and simmer on low heat for 25-30 minutes until chicken is cooked through and easily shreds.
04 - Remove chicken from the skillet and shred using two forks. Return shredded chicken to the sauce and stir well to coat evenly.
05 - Arrange Hawaiian rolls on a baking sheet, brush with melted butter, and toast in the preheated oven for 4-5 minutes until lightly golden.
06 - Spoon pulled chicken onto the bottom half of each roll. Top with coleslaw if desired and cover with the top bun.
07 - Serve warm with extra BBQ sauce on the side for dipping.

# Cooking Tips:

01 -
  • The contrast between sweet rolls and smoky tangy chicken hits every craving at once
  • They reheat beautifully so you can make them ahead and actually enjoy your own party
  • Everyone feels like a kid again eating tiny sandwiches but with grown up flavors
02 -
  • The chicken keeps cooking in the hot sauce even after you shred it so do not overcook during the initial simmer
  • Letting the chicken rest in the sauce for 10 minutes before serving makes each bite infinitely more tender
03 -
  • Do not skip toasting the rolls that buttery crunch takes these from good to can not stop eating them
  • Let the chicken cool slightly in the sauce before serving so the mixture thickens up and stays put on the rolls

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