BBQ Chicken Sub Sliders

BBQ Chicken Sub Sliders are the ultimate game day food! Sweet Hawaiian rolls stuffed with rotisserie chicken, smoky BBQ sauce, creamy cheese, and topped with a honey-butter BBQ glaze—easy, cheesy, and perfect for parties, tailgates, or weeknight dinners.

Why You’ll Love These BBQ Chicken Sub Sliders

If you’re looking for the perfect recipe to feed a hungry crowd, these BBQ Chicken Sub Sliders check every box. They’re easy to assemble, baked to golden perfection, and can be customized with your favorite cheeses or sauces.

Whether you’re hosting a football watch party, tailgate, potluck, or just need a family-friendly weeknight dinner, these sliders deliver big flavor in every bite.

Unlike traditional sliders, these are made on King’s Hawaiian Sub Slider Rolls, which are slightly larger than the classic square Hawaiian rolls. That means they’re hearty enough for dinner but still portable and fun for parties. Think of them as mini BBQ chicken subs baked together into a cheesy, pull-apart tray bake.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s everything you need to make a pan of these cheesy BBQ sliders:

• 2 cups chopped rotisserie chicken (or oven-pulled chicken) – using rotisserie chicken saves so much time.
• ¾ cup BBQ sauce – go with your favorite brand or homemade for more control over sweetness and spice.
• ½ cup mayonnaise – adds creaminess and helps keep the sliders from drying out.
• 1 tablespoon Sweetpea’s Firecracker Seasoning – gives a smoky, spicy kick to balance the sweetness of the BBQ sauce.
• American cheese slices – melty, creamy, and classic, though you can sub cheddar, provolone, or pepper jack.
• King’s Hawaiian Sub Slider Rolls – soft, slightly sweet rolls that make these sliders irresistible.

For the glaze:

• 2 tablespoons butter – melted into the glaze for richness.
• 2 tablespoons honey – adds a sticky-sweet shine.
• 1 tablespoon BBQ seasoning – ties the glaze back to the BBQ flavor inside.
• 1 teaspoon dried minced onions – little pops of savory onion flavor on the tops of the rolls.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the BBQ Chicken

In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of chopped rotisserie chicken with ¾ cup of BBQ sauce. Stir until all the chicken is coated in that sweet, smoky sauce.

Tip: If you like extra saucy sliders, add a couple of tablespoons more BBQ sauce.

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2. Make the Mayo Spread

In a small bowl, mix together ½ cup mayonnaise and 1 tablespoon of Firecracker Seasoning. This spread will be slathered on both the top and bottom halves of your rolls. Not only does it boost flavor, but it also creates a barrier that keeps the bread from soaking up too much sauce.

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3. Assemble the Sliders

Slice the King’s Hawaiian Sub Slider Rolls in half horizontally. Place the bottom half in a baking dish or on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

• Spread the seasoned mayo evenly over the bottom rolls.
• Spoon the BBQ chicken mixture over the mayo layer.
• Lay American cheese slices (enough to cover the chicken fully) on top.
• Place the top half of the rolls back on.

At this point, you already have delicious BBQ chicken subs—but the glaze takes them over the top.

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4. Make the Honey Butter BBQ Glaze

In a small skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Stir in 2 tablespoons of honey, 1 tablespoon of BBQ seasoning, and 1 teaspoon of dried minced onions. Cook just until melted and combined.

Brush this glaze generously over the tops of the rolls, making sure each bun is coated for maximum flavor.

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5. Bake the Sliders

Place the sliders in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C). Bake for about 25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the tops of the rolls are golden brown.

If the tops start to brown too quickly, cover the dish loosely with foil (sprayed with cooking spray on the underside to prevent sticking).

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6. Serve & Enjoy!

Remove from the oven and let the sliders cool slightly before slicing or pulling apart. Serve warm with coleslaw, potato salad, or your favorite game-day sides.

Tips & Tricks for the Best BBQ Chicken Sliders

• Make ahead: Assemble the sliders up to 4 hours in advance. Keep them covered in the fridge, then glaze and bake when ready.
• Cheese swaps: Provolone, cheddar, or pepper jack all work beautifully. Each brings a slightly different flavor.
• Add toppings: Coleslaw inside the slider (like in the photos!) adds crunch and creaminess. Pickles or jalapeños are great too.
• Batch for a crowd: Double the recipe if you’re feeding more than 6 people. These sliders disappear fast!

What to Serve With BBQ Chicken Sub Sliders

These sliders are hearty enough on their own, but they shine even brighter with the right side dishes. Here are some pairing ideas:

• Notecard Coleslaw – creamy, crunchy, and tangy—classic with BBQ.
• Baked beans – smoky-sweet beans balance the richness of the sliders.
• Deviled Potato Salad – a cool and creamy contrast.
• Corn on the cob – brushed with butter and grilled for extra flavor.
• Sweet potato fries – baked or fried, they’re a perfect match for BBQ flavors.

Storage & Reheating

• Fridge: Store leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Freezer: Assemble (without glaze), wrap in foil, and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw in fridge overnight, then glaze and bake.
• Reheating: Wrap in foil and reheat in the oven at 325°F until warmed through.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these with pulled pork instead of chicken?
Yes! Pulled pork works beautifully with the same sauce and glaze.

Can I use shredded chicken I cooked myself instead of rotisserie?
Of course. Oven-roasted or slow-cooked chicken works just as well—just shred it and mix with BBQ sauce.

What if I don’t have King’s Hawaiian sub rolls?
You can use regular slider buns, French bread, or even small ciabatta rolls. The glaze works on all types of bread. You can even use hamburger or hot dog buns!

Do I need to use American cheese?
Nope! It’s classic and melty, but provolone, cheddar, gouda, or pepper jack all work too.

Final Thoughts

These BBQ Chicken Sub Sliders are everything you love about barbecue sandwiches—smoky, sweet, cheesy, buttery—all baked into one easy, shareable dish. Whether you’re planning your next game day spread, summer cookout, or just want to shake up your weeknight dinner routine, this recipe will become a go-to favorite.

The best part? You can prep them in minutes using rotisserie chicken, and the honey butter glaze makes them taste like they came straight from your favorite BBQ joint. Once you try them, you’ll be making these sliders on repeat!

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