Chipotle Chicken Sliders Recipe

This cheesy, spicy Chipotle Chicken Sliders Recipe is made with tender shredded chicken, smoky adobo peppers, and sweet Hawaiian rolls, ready in just 30 minutes. Warm, melted cheese stretches beautifully as you pull the soft buns apart, revealing a creamy, savory filling. I love serving this effortless crowd-pleaser for game days or quick family dinners.

Restaurant-Quality At Home

I used to order sliders at sports bars constantly, but they often arrived at the table with dry buns or barely any filling inside. After several attempts to recreate them at home, I realized the secret isn’t just the meat—it’s tossing the chicken directly in the sauce before assembling the sandwiches.

By mixing the rotisserie chicken with a creamy chipotle blend first, every single bite stays juicy and flavorful even after baking. The contrast between the sweet, buttery glaze on top and the smoky heat inside makes these better than anything you’ll get from a takeout menu.

Jump to Recipe

Chipotle Chicken Sliders Recipe Ingredients

• For the Sliders:
• 1 package (12 count) Hawaiian sweet rolls
• 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie works best)
• 8 slices Pepper Jack cheese
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
• For the Chipotle Sauce:
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced
• 1 tablespoon adobo sauce (from the can)
• 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

How To Make Chipotle Chicken Sliders Recipe

1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, minced chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, lime juice, garlic powder, and cumin until smooth.
2. Sauce the Chicken: Add the shredded chicken to the bowl with the sauce. Toss well until every piece of chicken is evenly coated in the creamy chipotle mixture.
3. Assemble the Base: Slice the entire package of rolls in half horizontally, keeping the individual rolls connected. Place the bottom slab of rolls into a 9×13 inch baking dish or on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
4. Layer the Filling: Spread the sauced chicken mixture evenly over the bottom buns. Top the chicken with the slices of Pepper Jack cheese, slightly overlapping them to cover the meat completely.
5. Glaze and Bake: Place the top slab of buns over the cheese. Mix the melted butter with garlic salt and cilantro, then brush this mixture generously over the tops of the rolls. Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes, then remove foil and bake for 5 more minutes until the tops are golden brown.

Recipe Tips

• Shred chicken while warm: If you are using a rotisserie chicken, shredding the meat while it is still warm is much easier and yields better texture than waiting for it to cool down.
• Adjust the heat: Chipotle peppers can be quite spicy. If you want a milder flavor, remove the seeds from the peppers before mincing them, or use only the adobo sauce without the actual peppers.
• Don’t skip the foil: Covering the sliders for the first 15 minutes is crucial because sweet rolls burn easily. The foil allows the cheese to melt completely without scorching the bread.

What To Serve With Chipotle Chicken Sliders

These sliders are rich and savory, so I like to pair them with something crisp like sweet potato fries or a fresh corn salad with cotija cheese. For a full party spread, serve them alongside chips and guacamole to echo the smoky Mexican-inspired flavors.

How To Store

These sliders are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven, as the bread can become soggy if stored too long. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days and reheat them in a toaster oven to crisp up the buns again.

FAQs

• Can I make these ahead of time? You can assemble the sliders up to 4 hours in advance and keep them covered in the fridge. Just brush the butter glaze on right before you put them in the oven.
• What if I don’t have Hawaiian rolls? Any soft slider bun or dinner roll will work, but the sweetness of Hawaiian rolls specifically balances the heat of the chipotle peppers perfectly.
• Can I use raw chicken? No, this recipe requires pre-cooked chicken. If you start with raw chicken, poach or bake it first, then shred it before adding the sauce.

Nutrition

• Calories: 280
• Total Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Cholesterol: 65mg
• Sodium: 580mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 22g
• Protein: 14g