There’s something downright irresistible about these little sandwiches—warm, cheesy, and with a smoky kick. This Chipotle BBQ Chicken Sliders Recipe takes classic sliders up a notch with a creamy chipotle mayo and that perfect BBQ tang. Trust me, once you make these, they’ll be your go-to for game days or casual get-togethers.

The image shows nine small sandwich sliders arranged in a grid on a white marbled surface covered partially with brown parchment. Each slider has a shiny, golden-brown top bun sprinkled with green herbs. Inside the sliders, there is a visible layer of shredded meat mixed with melted orange cheese, and thin slices of purple onions peek out from some sandwiches. Around the sliders, there are wavy, ridged potato chips in golden-yellow color placed on the surface and in a woven basket. A small wooden bowl filled with dark reddish-brown sauce with a wooden spoon rests near the bottom left corner. Thin slices of green pickles and more purple onion rings are scattered around the sliders. At the top right, a clear glass with iced tea and a lemon wedge sits on a woven coaster. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chipotle BBQ Chicken Sliders Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Chipotle BBQ Chicken Sliders Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Chipotle BBQ Chicken Sliders Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I remember the first time I made these sliders; the combo of spice from chipotle and the gooey cheddar melted in perfect harmony. They’re easy to throw together but taste like you’ve spent hours in the kitchen. That’s what makes this Chipotle BBQ Chicken Sliders Recipe a total winner in my book.

Bold flavor fusion: The smoky chipotle combined with tangy BBQ sauce gives a kick that’s balanced by creamy mayo and melty cheddar.
Quick and fuss-free: You’ll have these sliders ready in under 45 minutes—perfect for last-minute hosting.
Family and crowd-pleaser: These sliders are sized just right and packed with flavor that both kids and adults rave about.
Customizable to your taste: The sliding scale of heat and toppings means you can tailor these exactly how you like ‘em.

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic in this Chipotle BBQ Chicken Sliders Recipe lies in simple, quality ingredients that come together to create layers of flavor. Each piece plays its part, from the tender chicken soaking in BBQ sauce to the creamy chipotle mayo that adds just the right smoky heat.

Flat lay of shredded boneless skinless chicken breast, a small white bowl of rich barbecue sauce, a small white bowl of creamy mayonnaise, one whole chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, a small white bowl of sweet paprika powder, one garlic clove, finely minced, a small white bowl of chopped fresh cilantro, a pinch of salt scattered delicately, a small cluster of twelve glossy Hawaiian sweet rolls, six slices of vibrant orange cheddar cheese stacked neatly, a small white bowl of thinly sliced red onion rings, a small white bowl of melted butter, fresh sprigs of parsley, fresh sprigs of chives, all arranged with perfect symmetry in simple white ceramic bowls and plates, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Boneless skinless chicken breast: Shredded chicken soaks up all the barbecue sauce flavor beautifully.
Barbecue sauce: Use your favorite brand or homemade for that tangy, smoky base.
Mayonnaise: The creamy base for the chipotle mayo keeps everything smooth and rich.
Chipotle pepper in adobo sauce: Adds that authentic smoky heat—try to balance how much you add depending on your spice tolerance.
Sweet paprika: Brings a subtle depth and enhances the smoky notes.
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic amps up the savory factor.
Cilantro: Fresh chopped cilantro brightens the mayo with herbaceous freshness.
Hawaiian sweet rolls: Their soft, slightly sweet texture complements the spicy, tangy filling perfectly.
Cheddar cheese: Sharp cheddar melts wonderfully over the BBQ chicken creating that ooey-gooey goodness.
Red onion: Thinly sliced to add a crisp tang and crunch to each bite.
Butter: Brushed on top before baking to get that golden, shiny finish with extra flavor.
Parsley and chives: Fresh herbs for a final pop of color and freshness.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about this Chipotle BBQ Chicken Sliders Recipe is how easy it is to adapt. I love to turn up the heat with extra chipotle peppers sometimes, but you can dial it back if you’re serving kiddos. You can also swap out cheddar for pepper jack if you want a little extra zing.

Variation: I’ve made these with pulled pork instead of chicken when I ran out of chicken, and it was just as amazing—feel free to experiment with your favorite BBQ protein.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Chipotle BBQ Chicken Sliders Recipe

A close-up of a sandwich with a soft, golden-brown toasted bun topped with chopped green herbs. Inside the sandwich are layers of tender, saucy pulled meat mixed with cooked caramelized onions and a slice of red onion. The sandwich sits on a brown paper surface with crispy ridged potato chips next to it, all placed on a white marbled texture background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Toast the Rolls to Golden Perfection

Preheat your oven to low broil and slice your Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally. Place them cut side up on a lined baking sheet. Keep an eye on them and toast just until they turn a beautiful golden brown—this adds texture and prevents sogginess once filled. Then, remove from the oven and reduce the temperature to 350°F.

Step 2: Mix Up That BBQ Chicken Magic

In a bowl, toss shredded chicken with your barbecue sauce until every tender piece is coated. This step is super quick but crucial to ensure your sliders have that juicy, flavorful centerpiece everyone will love.

Step 3: Blend the Creamy Chipotle Mayo

Pop the mayo, chipotle pepper, paprika, garlic, cilantro, and a pinch of salt into a food processor or blender. Pulse until smooth and creamy. This homemade sauce is what sets these sliders apart, so take a moment to savor the aroma as you blend it up!

Step 4: Assemble Like a Pro

Brush the chipotle mayo on both sides of your toasted rolls—that extra layer brings that smoky creaminess to every bite. Lay six slices of cheddar over the bottom halves, then pile on the BBQ chicken, followed by thinly sliced red onions and the remaining cheese slices. Top with the other halves of the rolls. It’s like building a little flavor fortress.

Step 5: Bake to Ooey-Gooey Goodness

Brush melted butter over the top of your assembled sliders to get that beautiful golden shine. Cover the pan tightly with foil and bake at 350°F for 10 minutes to heat through and melt the cheese. Then, remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until the tops are toasted and the cheese is irresistibly melted.

Step 6: Finish with Fresh Herbs and Serve

Once out of the oven, sprinkle chopped chives and parsley over the top. This little fresh garnish adds brightness and color you’ll love. Then slice and serve—watch everyone dive right in!

Top Tip

From my experience, a few little tweaks make a world of difference when making this Chipotle BBQ Chicken Sliders Recipe. I’ve learned through trial and error you don’t want to skip the toasting step—it keeps the rolls from turning soggy after baking.

Don’t skip toasting: Toasting the rolls before assembly gives you a sturdier base that holds up well to the saucy chicken.
Balance the chipotle heat: Start with one pepper and taste the mayo—add more if you want a smokier kick rather than pure heat.
Brush butter generously: It helps get beautifully golden tops and adds subtle richness you wouldn’t want to miss.
Keep foil on initially: Covering while baking helps melt the cheese perfectly before crisping up the top.

How to Serve Chipotle BBQ Chicken Sliders Recipe

chipotle BBQ chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always stick to fresh chopped parsley and chives—adds a fresh, herbal note that cuts through the richness beautifully. Sometimes, a few extra red onion slices on the side give a neat crunchy pop. If you want a little extra heat, a drizzle of hot sauce on top works wonders.

Side Dishes

These sliders pair wonderfully with crunchy coleslaw, sweet potato fries, or even a simple green salad with a zesty vinaigrette. For a game day, I love serving them with tortilla chips and guacamole—it keeps the meal casual and crowd-friendly.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I like to arrange these sliders on a wooden serving board with little flags or toothpicks to hold them together—they’re perfect finger foods. You can also serve each slider topped with a tiny dollop of chipotle mayo and a sprinkle of smoked paprika for a restaurant-style finish.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover sliders in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To keep things from getting soggy, I separate the tops and bottoms if possible, then reassemble before reheating. This little trick keeps the rolls fresh and tasty.

Freezing

You can absolutely freeze these! Wrap each slider individually in plastic wrap then place them in a freezer-safe bag. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven for best texture and flavor.

Reheating

To reheat, I recommend placing the sliders on a baking sheet, covering loosely with foil to keep from drying out, and warming in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes. This melts the cheese again and warms everything nicely without sacrificing texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of cooking chicken breast?

Absolutely! Using rotisserie chicken can save you time and adds great flavor—just shred it and mix with the BBQ sauce as directed.

How spicy is this Chipotle BBQ Chicken Sliders Recipe?

The heat level is mild to moderate depending on how much chipotle pepper you add. If you’re sensitive to spice, start with half a chipotle pepper and adjust to taste.

Can I make these sliders vegetarian?

You can swap the chicken for grilled portobello mushrooms or jackfruit seasoned with BBQ sauce for a tasty vegetarian version.

What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?

Reheat in the oven at 350°F, loosely covered with foil, for about 10 minutes. This preserves the bread’s texture and melts the cheese nicely without drying the sliders out.

Final Thoughts

This Chipotle BBQ Chicken Sliders Recipe has earned a regular spot in my meal rotation for its ease and crowd-pleasing punch. I love how you get that smoky warmth balanced with creamy cheese and fresh herbs—all tucked inside a soft, sweet roll. You’re going to impress everyone and have a ton of fun making them, too! So go ahead, try it out and watch these sliders disappear faster than you can say “seconds, please.”