Crack Chicken Sliders

These crack chicken sliders have become my ultimate party food solution because they combine tender shredded chicken with ranch seasoning crispy bacon and plenty of melted cheese all piled onto soft sweet Hawaiian rolls and what makes them really special is that buttery garlic parmesan crust that gets all golden and crispy on top plus you can assemble them ahead of time and just pop them in the oven when guests arrive and everyone always hovers around the pan waiting for them to come out because they smell absolutely incredible while they're baking and they disappear faster than anything else on the table.

Featured in Reliable Main Course Recipes.

Chef Zaho
Updated on Fri, 10 Jan 2025 20:27:27 GMT
A close-up of a fluffy slider bun filled with shredded chicken, melted cheese, and topped with green onions and bacon bits. Pin it
A close-up of a fluffy slider bun filled with shredded chicken, melted cheese, and topped with green onions and bacon bits. | alicesrecipes.com

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.

A close-up of a pulled chicken sandwich with melted cheese, topped with green onions and bacon bits, on a tray. Pin it
A close-up of a pulled chicken sandwich with melted cheese, topped with green onions and bacon bits, on a tray. | alicesrecipes.com

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.

Crack Chicken Sliders

Cheesy ranch chicken sliders loaded with bacon and cream cheese on Hawaiian rolls. Perfect for parties and guaranteed to disappear fast.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
25 Minutes
Total Time
40 Minutes
By: Fati Zaho

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 12 Servings (12 sliders)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 1 pound cooked shredded chicken.
02 1/2 cup ranch dressing.
03 4 ounces softened cream cheese.
04 3 chopped green onions.
05 1/3 cup crumbled bacon.
06 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese.
07 1 package Hawaiian sweet rolls.
08 3 tablespoons melted butter.
09 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.
10 2 teaspoons dried onion flakes.
11 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning.
12 2 tablespoons grated parmesan.

Instructions

Step 01

Heat your oven to 350°F. Cut the rolls in half and put the bottom pieces in a baking dish.

Step 02

In a bowl, mix your shredded chicken with ranch dressing, softened cream cheese, chopped green onions, crumbled bacon, and half cup of cheddar cheese until well combined.

Step 03

Spread your chicken mixture evenly over the roll bottoms. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top and add the roll tops.

Step 04

Stir together the melted butter, garlic powder, onion flakes, Italian seasoning, and parmesan cheese. Brush this mixture over the roll tops.

Step 05

Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake another 5 minutes until golden brown.

Notes

  1. Make these ahead and bake when needed.
  2. Perfect for big gatherings.
  3. Try different cheese combinations.

Tools You'll Need

  • Baking dish.
  • Mixing bowl.
  • Pastry brush.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy.
  • Gluten.
  • Eggs (in ranch dressing).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 320
  • Total Fat: 22 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 18 g
  • Protein: 15 g