BBQ Chicken Sliders with Tangy Slaw (Printable version)

Tender pulled chicken with smoky BBQ sauce and tangy coleslaw nestled in toasted mini buns.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pulled BBQ Chicken

01 - 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
02 - 1 cup barbecue sauce, plus extra for serving
03 - 1/2 cup chicken broth
04 - 1 tbsp olive oil
05 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
06 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
07 - 1/2 tsp onion powder
08 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Slaw

09 - 2 cups shredded green cabbage
10 - 1 cup shredded red cabbage
11 - 1/2 cup shredded carrots
12 - 1/4 cup mayonnaise
13 - 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
14 - 1 tsp honey
15 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Assembly

16 - 12 mini slider buns
17 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted (optional, for toasting buns)

# How To Make:

01 - In a large pot or slow cooker, combine chicken, barbecue sauce, chicken broth, olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Cook over medium heat (or on high in a slow cooker) for 25 to 30 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and tender. Remove the chicken, shred with two forks, and return to the sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes to absorb flavors.
02 - In a large bowl, mix together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper. Add shredded cabbages and carrots. Toss until evenly coated and set aside.
03 - Brush buns with melted butter and toast in a skillet or oven until golden.
04 - Place a generous spoonful of pulled BBQ chicken on the bottom half of each bun. Top with a scoop of slaw. Cover with the bun tops and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The slaw adds a bright, crunchy contrast that keeps every bite from feeling too heavy or sweet.
  • You can make the chicken ahead and just warm it up when guests arrive, which means less stress and more time to actually enjoy the party.
  • These sliders disappear fast, and everyone always asks for the recipe, which feels pretty great.
02 -
  • Don't skip shredding the chicken while it's still warm, because once it cools down, it gets tougher and harder to pull apart cleanly.
  • Make the slaw at least 15 minutes ahead so the flavors have time to blend, but don't let it sit for hours or it'll get watery and limp.
03 -
  • Always taste your BBQ sauce before adding it to the chicken, because some brands are sweeter or saltier than others, and you can adjust the seasoning accordingly.
  • If the chicken looks dry after shredding, stir in a splash more broth or sauce to keep it moist and flavorful.
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