Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Sliders bring together tender shredded chicken, sweet caramelized onions, and crispy bacon, all drenched in tangy barbecue sauce and tucked into soft buns.
Perfect for parties or easy dinners, these BBQ Chicken Sliders burst with smoky-sweet flavor in every bite and stay warm in the slow cooker for effortless serving.
Ingredients for BBQ Chicken Sliders
Chicken – The Star of the Sliders
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts soak up the barbecue sauce, becoming melt-in-your-mouth tender when slow-cooked.
Barbecue Sauce – Smoky Sweetness
A good-quality barbecue sauce infuses the chicken with rich, smoky, and slightly tangy flavor that defines each slider.
Bacon – Crispy, Savory Crunch
Crispy bacon adds salty crunch and smoky depth, making every bite more irresistible.
Onion – Sweet Caramelized Layers
Thinly sliced onion cooks down in bacon drippings, bringing sweet, savory richness to the filling.
Slider Rolls – Soft, Slightly Sweet Base
Hawaiian Honey Wheat rolls or similar soft buns cradle the pulled chicken mixture perfectly, balancing savory and sweet.
Steps to Make BBQ Chicken Sliders in the Slow Cooker
Start by cooking the bacon until crispy and caramelizing onions in the reserved bacon drippings for deep flavor.
Deglaze the pan with water, then add it all to the slow cooker with chicken and barbecue sauce.
Let it cook low and slow until the chicken is tender enough to shred.
Pile the juicy pulled chicken onto warm slider buns, topping with the reserved crispy bacon for an unforgettable bite.
BBQ Chicken Sliders Tips and Variations
Try using chicken thighs instead of breasts for extra juiciness, but skim the fat before shredding.
Choose a barbecue sauce you love, since it flavors the entire dish. Add a crisp coleslaw topping for a refreshing crunch that balances the rich filling.
How to Store BBQ Chicken Sliders Leftovers
Store leftover shredded BBQ chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.
Reheat gently in the slow cooker or microwave. Assemble fresh sliders just before serving to keep the buns from getting soggy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can BBQ Chicken Sliders be made ahead of time?
Yes! Cook and shred the chicken a day ahead. Store it in the fridge, then reheat in the slow cooker before serving.
What sides go well with BBQ Chicken Sliders?
Serve with coleslaw, potato salad, or a simple green salad for a balanced meal.
Can BBQ Chicken Sliders be frozen?
The shredded chicken freezes well. Cool completely, then store in freezer bags for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat before serving.
What’s the best way to keep sliders warm for a party?
Keep the shredded BBQ chicken mixture on the warm setting in the slow cooker. Guests can build their own sliders as they go.
Bacon BBQ Chicken Sliders
Ingredients
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 18 ounces barbecue sauce
- 1 large onion thinly sliced
- 12 strips bacon
- 18 rolls such as Hawaiian Honey Wheat
- ½ cup water
Instructions
- Fry the bacon over medium-high heat until it reaches a crisp texture, then drain the strips on a paper towel.
- Retain approximately 2 tablespoons of bacon drippings in the skillet, then introduce the sliced onions and salt; cook until softened.
- Transfer the sautéed onions to the base of a 6-quart slow cooker.
- Once the frying pan has cooled slightly, deglaze it by carefully adding the water, scraping up any browned bits from the bacon and onion, and pour this flavorful liquid into the slow cooker.
- Place the chicken breasts into the cooker, add the barbecue sauce, and stir to combine. Cover and cook on low for 7–8 hours or on high for 4–5 hours until the chicken is fully tender.
- Using two forks, shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker and fold in half of the cooked bacon. Pile the shredded chicken mixture onto the slider buns and garnish with the reserved bacon before serving.