My Hawaiian roll sliders are pure comfort food magic. The pillowy soft rolls cradle a heavenly mixture of shredded chicken smothered in cream cheese and crispy bacon bits then topped with melty cheddar and a golden parmesan butter that makes every bite unforgettable. I love serving these at parties because they vanish in minutes and everyone begs for the recipe.
The Magic Behind These Sliders
Picture biting into a warm slider packed with juicy chicken and crispy bacon all wrapped in a blanket of melted cheese. The tanginess from the ranch and the buttery rolls creates pure comfort food bliss. I love making these for game days or busy weeknights because they come together so quickly yet taste like I spent hours in the kitchen.
What You Need for These Heavenly Sliders
- Chicken: 3 cups shredded chicken works best I usually grab a rotisserie chicken from the store.
- Cream Cheese: 8 oz softened to create that incredible creamy base.
- Ranch Dressing: ½ cup adds the perfect zip to every bite.
- Bacon: 6 slices cooked until crispy and crumbled.
- Cheddar Cheese: 1 ½ cups freshly shredded melts beautifully.
- Sweet Hawaiian Rolls: One 12count package sliced through the middle.
- Butter: ½ cup melted for that gorgeous golden top.
- Seasonings: 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp onion powder ½ tsp paprika transforms the butter topping.
- Parmesan Cheese: 2 tbsp grated adds nutty flavor to the topping.
Creating Your Sliders
- Mix Your Filling
- Grab your biggest bowl and mix the shredded chicken cream cheese ranch dressing bacon and 1 cup of cheddar until everything is well combined.
- Build the Layers
- Put your roll bottoms in a greased 9x13 pan spread that amazing filling evenly and sprinkle the rest of the cheddar on top. Pop those tops back on.
- Create the Topping
- Stir the melted butter garlic powder onion powder paprika and parmesan together then brush it all over your rolls.
- Into the Oven
- Cover with foil and bake at 350°F for 15 minutes take the foil off and give them another 10 minutes until they turn golden brown and the cheese gets bubbly.
My Secret Tips for Success
Save yourself time and grab a rotisserie chicken from the store. I always cook my bacon fresh because it adds such amazing flavor. Make sure your cream cheese sits out for at least an hour to get super soft and brush that butter mixture generously over every inch of those rolls.
Switch Things Up
Sometimes I add sliced jalapeños when I'm craving heat or swap in pepper jack cheese for an extra kick. My kids love when I use barbecue sauce instead of ranch. The possibilities are endless so feel free to experiment with your favorite flavors.
Keeping Your Sliders Fresh
Pop any leftover sliders in an airtight container and keep them in your fridge for up to 3 days. When you're ready to eat warm them in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes or give them a quick zap in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes.
Perfect Pairings
These sliders taste incredible with my homemade coleslaw or a simple green salad. I love setting out little bowls of ranch honey mustard and barbecue sauce so everyone can customize their sliders just the way they like them.
Prep Them Early
You can put these together the night before just keep the butter mixture separate. When you're ready to bake brush on that seasoned butter and pop them in the oven. Fresh hot sliders without any lastminute prep stress.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I make these sliders ahead of time?
- Yes, you can prepare these sliders ahead of time and bake them later. Just assemble everything, cover tightly, and store in the fridge until ready to bake. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time if cooking from cold.
- → What kind of chicken should I use?
- You can use any cooked, shredded chicken for this recipe. Rotisserie chicken works great for convenience, or you can cook and shred chicken breasts or thighs yourself.
- → Can I freeze these sliders?
- While best served fresh, you can freeze these sliders before baking. Wrap them tightly in foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking as directed.
- → What can I serve with crack chicken sliders?
- These sliders pair well with simple sides like potato chips, coleslaw, or a fresh green salad. For parties, serve them alongside other finger foods and appetizers.
- → Can I use different cheese?
- Yes, you can customize the cheese to your taste. While cheddar works great, try mixing in or substituting with mozzarella, pepper jack, or provolone for different flavor combinations.