There’s something undeniably irresistible about the smoky, spicy kick of these little bites. This Chipotle BBQ Chicken Sliders Recipe is the perfect blend of tender chicken, bold chipotle mayo, and melty cheddar, all nestled in soft, sweet Hawaiian rolls. Trust me, once you try these sliders, they’ll become your go-to for game days or casual get-togethers.

There are nine small square sandwiches with golden brown soft tops sprinkled with chopped green herbs arranged in a 3x3 grid on brown paper. Each sandwich has layers of shredded orange cheese, reddish-brown sauced meat, and thin slices of purple onion peeking out from between the warm, toasted white buns. To the left is a round wooden bowl filled with dark brown sauce and a wooden spoon resting in it. Around the sandwiches, there are ridged golden potato chips scattered on the white marbled surface, along with sliced yellow pickles and some raw purple onion rings. In the top left corner, a basket holds more ridged golden chips, and on the right, a glass-brimmed drink with lemon wedges in a woven holder sits partially in frame. 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 adore sharing this Chipotle BBQ Chicken Sliders Recipe because it hits all the right notes: smoky, creamy, cheesy, and just the right amount of spicy. Whether you’re making a big batch for friends or prepping for a family night, these sliders impress every time.

Bold Flavor Fusion: The smoky chipotle mayo and tangy BBQ chicken create a mouthwatering combo that’s hard to resist.
Easy Assembly: You can throw these together quickly, making them perfect even on a busy day.
Perfect Party Food: These sliders are sized just right for sharing and snacking, making them crowd-pleasers.
Customizable Layers: Add or swap ingredients like different cheeses or pickled onions to suit your taste.

Ingredients & Why They Work

What I love about this Chipotle BBQ Chicken Sliders Recipe is how every ingredient plays its part to build layers of flavor and texture. From smoky chicken to creamy, spicy mayo, each component is essential. Here’s a quick rundown of the key players and my shopping tips:

Flat lay of a white ceramic bowl of shredded boneless skinless chicken breast, a small white bowl filled with rich reddish-brown barbecue sauce, a small white bowl containing creamy mayonnaise, one fresh chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, a small heap of bright orange sweet paprika powder, one whole garlic clove with intact skin, a few sprigs of fresh green cilantro, a small pinch of coarse salt crystals, twelve golden Hawaiian sweet rolls with a shiny crust, twelve slices of vivid orange cheddar cheese, a small pile of thinly sliced red onion rings, a small white bowl with melted golden butter, and a few sprigs of vibrant chopped parsley and chives, all arranged symmetrically 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

Shredded boneless skinless chicken breast: This is your tender protein base – use freshly cooked or leftover chicken for ease.
Barbecue sauce: Pick a smoky, slightly sweet BBQ sauce for best results; it clings beautifully to the shredded chicken.
Mayonnaise: Gives the chipotle mayo its rich, creamy texture – full-fat mayo works wonders.
Chipotle pepper in adobo sauce: This is the star of the chipotle mayo, bringing smoky heat and depth.
Sweet paprika: Adds a subtle smoky sweetness, enhancing the pepper’s flavors.
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic punches up the savoriness in the mayo.
Chopped cilantro: Fresh and bright, cilantro lifts the chipotle mayo so it doesn’t get too heavy.
Hawaiian sweet rolls: Soft, sweet, and slightly buttery rolls are a must – they balance out the spicy and smoky fillings.
Cheddar cheese: Choose sharp cheddar for that melty, flavorful cheese layer that complements the BBQ chicken.
Red onion: Thinly sliced for crunch and slight sharpness; cut thin to mellow the bite.
Melted butter: A buttery brush on the tops gives gorgeous golden color and a subtle richness.
Chopped parsley and chives: Fresh herbs add color and an aromatic finish.

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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 things I love about this Chipotle BBQ Chicken Sliders Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. Sometimes I swap out sharp cheddar for pepper jack for an extra kick or add a handful of pickled jalapeño slices if I’m feeling bold. You can really make this recipe your own.

Variation: I once made these sliders with pulled pork instead of chicken, and the chipotle mayo still stole the show. You’ll find you can swap proteins easily without losing flavor.
Dietary modification: Use a dairy-free cheese and mayo to make these sliders friendly for lactose intolerance.
Extra veggies: Add sliced avocado or shredded lettuce to introduce some freshness and texture contrast.

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

A sandwich on a soft, browned bun with a shiny top sprinkled with small green chopped herbs. Inside, there are layers of shredded meat mixed with melted orange cheese and thin slices of purple onion. The sandwich is placed on a white marbled surface with some ridged potato chips nearby, which are orange and have small green herb bits on them. A wicker basket is blurred in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Toast Those Rolls

I always start by slicing the Hawaiian rolls in half and placing them cut side up on a lined baking sheet. Pop them under the broiler — but watch carefully! It only takes a minute or two for the edges to get beautifully golden and slightly crisp. This step is key for texture; you want a bit of crunch to contrast the tender filling.

Step 2: Mix Up the BBQ Chicken

In a bowl, combine the shredded chicken with the barbecue sauce. I prefer to use store-bought smoky BBQ sauce, but if you have homemade, even better. Stir until every shred is coated – this keeps each slider juicy and flavorful.

Step 3: Whip Up the Chipotle Mayo

This part is my favorite. Into a food processor, I add mayonnaise, the chipotle pepper in adobo, paprika, garlic, chopped cilantro, and a pinch of salt. Blend until it’s smooth and creamy. This spicy spread brings everything together and surprises you with its smoky heat.

Step 4: Assemble Your Sliders

Brush the chipotle mayo generously on both halves of the toasted rolls. On the bottom halves, layer six slices of cheddar cheese, then the BBQ chicken, followed by thin slices of red onion. Top with the remaining cheese slices, then place the top halves over the layers.

Step 5: Bake and Melt

Brush the tops with melted butter — this keeps them golden and adds richness. Cover the whole pan with foil and bake at 350°F for 10 minutes. Then, take off the foil and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes to get that bubbly melty cheese and toasted tops. The smells at this point are just irresistible.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Once out of the oven, sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley and chives for a pop of color and brightness. Cut into individual sliders and serve warm — you’re in for a treat!

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks that really elevate this Chipotle BBQ Chicken Sliders Recipe — tips that make the difference between “just good” and “wow, these are incredible.”

Don’t skimp on toasting the rolls: A quick broil makes the bread sturdy enough to hold all that juicy chicken without turning soggy.
Chipotle in adobo: Blend it well in the mayo so you don’t get any surprises — the heat should be balanced, not overwhelming.
Double cheese layers: Placing cheese both below and above the chicken locks in moisture and gives you that gooey melt everyone loves.
Cover with foil for the first bake: Traps steam and helps the cheese melt perfectly before browning the tops uncovered.

How to Serve Chipotle BBQ Chicken Sliders Recipe

chipotle BBQ chicken sliders - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

Personally, I love topping these sliders with a sprinkle of fresh chives and parsley—they add a lovely herbaceous lift that cuts through the richness. Sometimes a few thin pickle slices or extra red onions on the side give a nice tangy crunch, which I highly recommend trying.

Side Dishes

These sliders pair beautifully with classic creamy coleslaw, crisp kettle-cooked chips, or even simple roasted sweet potato fries. If you want to keep things light, I love serving them alongside a bright mixed greens salad with a citrus vinaigrette to balance the smoky flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I like arranging sliders on a large wooden board with little bowls of extra chipotle mayo and pickles for dipping. Wrapping each slider with a small parchment square or colorful toothpick makes them easy for guests to grab and keeps things tidy. Bonus points if you add mini flags for theme nights!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover sliders in an airtight container in the fridge. Because of the mayo and cheese, I try to eat them within 2 days for the best flavor and freshness. When I’ve had leftovers, they still taste great even the next day, perfect for a quick snack or lunch.

Freezing

Freezing works if you separate the components first—chicken with BBQ sauce in one container and the rolls separately. The chipotle mayo is best fresh but can be frozen in small portions. For fully assembled sliders, wrap tightly in foil and freeze, but I recommend reheating gently to avoid soggy bread.

Reheating

To reheat, I cover sliders loosely with foil and warm them in a 350°F oven until heated through (about 10-15 mins). Removing the foil for the last 5 minutes crisps up the tops again. Avoid microwaving if you can – it makes the bread chewy and the cheese lose its charm.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use rotisserie chicken for the BBQ chicken?

Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut for this recipe. Just shred it well and mix with your favorite barbecue sauce for quick, flavorful sliders.

How spicy is the chipotle mayo?

The chipotle mayo has a mild to moderate heat, mostly smoky rather than fiery. You can adjust by using less chipotle pepper or skipping the seeds if you prefer it milder.

Can I make these sliders vegetarian?

You can make a vegetarian version by substituting BBQ chicken with grilled portobello mushrooms or shredded jackfruit. The chipotle mayo and cheese still bring plenty of flavor!

What’s the best cheese for these sliders?

Sharp cheddar is my favorite for its meltability and tangy flavor. You can also experiment with pepper jack for heat or smoked gouda for extra smokiness.

Final Thoughts

I have to say, this Chipotle BBQ Chicken Sliders Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it turns a simple gathering into something memorable. Every bite offers a smoky, cheesy hug of flavor that I find incredibly comforting and crowd-pleasing. I can’t recommend trying these enough — grab those Hawaiian rolls and get ready for a slider experience that’ll have everyone asking for seconds!