Let’s talk comfort food with a punch—Wichita Chicken Sliders are a celebration of everything craveable in a handheld bite. Imagine juicy, slow-cooked chicken infused with zesty ranch and fiery buffalo sauce, nestled between soft slider buns, and finished with cheddar, pickles, and a golden, buttery top. Bursting with bold flavors, this dish is a hit at parties, family dinners, and any gathering where you want to see eyes light up at the first taste. Trust me, everyone’s going to be asking for seconds.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
These simple but essential ingredients are what take Wichita Chicken Sliders from basic to irresistible. Each element adds a layer of flavor, texture, or color, making every bite a delightful experience. Don’t skip any—the magic is in the mix!
- Chicken breasts: Go for boneless, skinless breasts for easy shredding and a protein-packed filling.
- Dry ranch seasoning mix: This brings that unmistakable herby, tangy ranch kick—don’t substitute, it’s part of the secret!
- Buffalo wing sauce: Provides the signature spicy zing; adjust the brand or type Main Course, Sandwiches.
- Unsalted butter, melted: Rich, velvety butter tames the heat and makes the chicken extra luscious.
- Slider buns or Hawaiian rolls: Soft, sweet rolls are perfect for holding all the juicy filling—Hawaiian rolls add extra flavor!
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Melty cheddar adds bold taste and beautiful color.
- Sliced pickles: Crisp pickles cut through the richness, adding tang and crunch.
- Sesame seeds: Sprinkle these on top for gorgeous golden color and a little nutty flavor.
- Mayonnaise (optional): Brush on for a golden, flavorful crust—skip it for a lighter version, or swap for more butter.
- Chopped fresh parsley: A fresh sprinkle at the end that makes your sliders look and taste extra special.
How to Make Wichita Chicken Sliders
Step 1: Slow Cook the Chicken
Place chicken breasts in your slow cooker, then sprinkle the ranch seasoning right over them. Pour the buffalo wing sauce evenly over the top, making sure each piece is coated. Cover and set the slow cooker on low. Walk away and let the magic happen for 4 to 5 hours until the chicken is so tender it practically shreds itself. Your kitchen will smell heavenly before you’re even halfway through!
Step 2: Shred and Butter Up
Once the chicken is cooked through and fork-tender, shred it right in the slow cooker using two forks. Pour the melted butter over the shredded chicken and stir it in gently—it’ll make the filling rich, glossy, and perfect for piling onto slider buns.
Step 3: Prep the Buns
Keep the slider buns or Hawaiian rolls intact and carefully slice them in half horizontally—this helps make perfect layers. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and lay out the bottom half of the buns, pressing them gently into place side by side.
Step 4: Assemble the Sliders
Spoon that saucy Wichita Chicken Sliders mixture evenly over the bottom buns. Sprinkle a generous layer of shredded cheddar cheese on top, then follow with the sliced pickles. Place the top half of the buns over everything to finish the layering.
Step 5: Finish and Bake
Brush the tops of the buns lightly with mayonnaise (for a beautiful crust) or use melted butter if you prefer. Sprinkle on the sesame seeds for that irresistible bakery-style touch. Cover your baking dish with foil and bake at 350°F for 15 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake 5 minutes more until the tops are golden and toasty.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
After baking, take your sliders out and scatter fresh chopped parsley all over for color and a hit of fresh flavor. Serve them up warm—you’ll want to have extra napkins on hand, because Wichita Chicken Sliders are perfectly saucy!
How to Serve Wichita Chicken Sliders
Garnishes
A little fresh parsley goes a long way for color and aroma. Want even more punch? Add a few extra pickle slices on the side or a sprinkle of chopped chives for brightness. If you’re feeling adventurous, thinly sliced jalapeños bring extra heat and fun crunch.
Side Dishes
Wichita Chicken Sliders are super versatile when it comes to sides. Classic potato chips or crunchy coleslaw keep things light and easy. For a heartier spread, pair with oven fries, creamy macaroni salad, or a simple green salad tossed with ranch dressing to echo the flavors in the sliders.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your sliders on a big board, surrounded by colorful sides and dips—think buffalo ranch or blue cheese dressing for dunking. They’re also adorable stacked on a platter with toothpicks for game day or tucked into lunchboxes as a surprise. For parties, serve with a build-your-own toppings bar, so everyone can customize their own Wichita Chicken Sliders.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Wichita Chicken Sliders in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. If possible, keep the buns separate from the filling to prevent sogginess, but they’ll still taste great together if you just pop the assembled sliders in.
Freezing
You can absolutely freeze the buffalo chicken mixture—just portion it into freezer-safe bags and store for up to 2 months. When you crave sliders, thaw in the fridge overnight, then assemble and bake as usual for a make-ahead treat.
Reheating
To reheat, place sliders in a baking dish, cover with foil, and warm in a 325°F oven for about 10 minutes or until heated through. For a crispy top, uncover during the last couple of minutes. The microwave also works in a pinch, but the oven keeps the buns from getting too soft.
FAQs
Can I make Wichita Chicken Sliders without a slow cooker?
Absolutely! You can simmer the chicken breasts with the ranch seasoning and buffalo sauce in a covered pot over low heat until tender (about 40 minutes), then shred and assemble as usual. The slow cooker just makes it a bit more hands-off.
What’s the best way to shred the chicken?
For easy shredding, use two forks and pull the chicken apart right in the slow cooker. If you’re making a big batch, a handheld mixer on low creates perfectly shredded chicken in seconds—game changer!
Can I use rotisserie chicken as a shortcut?
You bet! Shred cooked rotisserie chicken, then mix it with ranch seasoning, buffalo sauce, and melted butter on the stove until hot and coated. It speeds things up, but you’ll miss out on the extra richness from slow cooking.
How spicy are Wichita Chicken Sliders?
It all depends on your buffalo sauce and pickles. Use mild sauce for gentle heat, or go bold with hot sauce for a fiery kick. To tame the spice, add more cheese and mild pickles; for heat lovers, toss in jalapeños or spicy pickles.
What if I want to prep Wichita Chicken Sliders ahead of time?
You can prepare the chicken filling up to 2 days in advance and keep it refrigerated. Assemble your sliders just before baking, cover, and store in the fridge until ready to bake. They’re perfect for parties where you want to minimize last-minute work!
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a dish that turns any meal into a celebration, these Wichita Chicken Sliders seriously deliver. They’re crowd-pleasers, comforting, and loaded with flavor from the first bite. I can’t wait for you to try them and see just how fast they disappear—make plenty, because trust me, you’ll wish you had leftovers!
Print
Wichita Chicken Sliders Recipe
- Total Time: 4 hours 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 sliders 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
These Wichita Chicken Sliders are a perfect blend of spicy buffalo chicken, creamy cheddar cheese, and tangy pickles sandwiched between soft slider buns. They are easy to make, delicious, and great for any gathering or weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Ingredients for Buffalo Chicken:
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 packet (1 ounce) dry ranch seasoning mix
- 1 cup buffalo wing sauce (or hot sauce for extra heat)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Additional Ingredients:
- 12 slider buns or Hawaiian rolls
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sliced pickles
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (optional)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook the chicken: Place chicken breasts in a slow cooker, sprinkle with dry ranch seasoning, pour buffalo sauce over the chicken, cover, and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours. Shred chicken and stir in melted butter.
- Assemble the sliders: Slice buns, place bottom halves in a baking dish, add shredded buffalo chicken, top with cheddar cheese and pickles, cover with bun tops. Brush with mayonnaise, sprinkle sesame seeds.
- Bake: Cover with foil, bake for 15 minutes, uncover and bake for another 5 minutes until golden brown.
- Serve: Garnish with parsley and serve warm.
Notes
- These sliders are great for parties, game day, or family dinners.
- For a spicier version, add sliced jalapeños.
- They can be prepped ahead and baked right before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours (slow cooker) + 20 minutes bake time
- Category: Main Course, Sandwiches
- Method: Slow Cooker, Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
