BBQ Chicken Sliders with Slaw (Printable Version)

Pulled BBQ chicken and tangy slaw on toasted mini buns. Easy, crowd-pleasing appetizer ready in under an hour.

# 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

→ Cabbage 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

# Method:

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 and shred with two forks, then return to the sauce and simmer for 5 minutes to absorb flavors.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper. Add shredded green cabbage, red cabbage, and carrots. Toss until evenly coated and set aside.
03 - Brush slider buns with melted butter and toast in a skillet or oven until golden brown, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
04 - Place a generous spoonful of pulled BBQ chicken on the bottom half of each toasted bun. Top with a scoop of cabbage slaw. Cover with the bun tops and serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • These sliders come together fast enough for weeknight dinner but taste special enough for a crowd.
  • The tangy slaw cuts through the rich BBQ sauce in a way that keeps you reaching for another.
  • You can prep the chicken and slaw ahead, then assemble right before serving so you're not stuck in the kitchen during the fun.
02 -
  • Don't skip shredding the chicken while it's still hot, it's much easier than trying to pull cold chicken apart later.
  • Let the slaw sit for at least ten minutes before assembling so the flavors can marry, but don't make it more than a few hours ahead or it will get watery.
  • If the BBQ sauce is too thick, add a splash more broth so the chicken stays saucy without turning into a sticky mess.
03 -
  • Use chicken thighs instead of breasts if you want meat that stays moist even if you accidentally overcook it a little.
  • Toast the buns cut side down in a dry skillet for extra crispness without adding butter if you're watching calories.
  • Toss the slaw right before serving so it stays crunchy and doesn't water down the chicken.
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