Buffalo Chicken Dip Sliders deliver everything you crave in a single bite: zippy buffalo chicken, melty cheese, and pillowy-soft slider rolls. These fun-size sandwiches are the life of any party, but also make a bold, comforting dinner you’ll want to dig into on repeat.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ultra-Flavorful Layers: Every bite explodes with creamy, spicy buffalo chicken, tangy ranch, and plenty of gooey melted cheese.
- Perfect for Sharing: These sliders are crowd-pleasers—whether at a game-day bash or family movie night, they always disappear first.
- Simple & Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep the filling ahead, assemble quickly, and bake when you’re ready—no fuss involved.
- Customizable Heat & Toppings: Add or swap ingredients easily to suit spice-lovers, picky eaters, or anyone in between.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Buffalo Chicken Dip Sliders is how they transform humble ingredients into something magical. Each component adds its own special touch—think creaminess, zesty heat, or a gentle melt—and together, they make these sliders totally crave-worthy.
- Cooked shredded chicken: Rotisserie chicken makes this a breeze, or you can use leftover chicken for an easy shortcut.
- Bottle of buffalo sauce: This is what gives that classic tangy, fiery kick—choose your favorite mild, medium, or hot brand.
- Cream cheese, room temperature: Softens the buffalo punch and adds velvety richness to every bite.
- Fresh cilantro, chopped: Bright and herby, cilantro lightens the flavor profile and adds a lovely pop of green.
- Chopped scallions: For a little crunch and oniony zip nestled in all the cheesiness.
- Dinner rolls, halved horizontally: Soft, fluffy, and perfect for soaking up all the saucy goodness—slider buns or Hawaiian rolls also work!
- Ranch dressing: Its cool, creamy flavor balances the heat and brings the whole bite together.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: For classic meltiness and a sharp, savory edge.
- Shredded pepper jack cheese: A little extra kick and an irresistible cheese pull.
- Pickled jalapeños (optional): Perfect if you like a snappy crunch and a bit more fire—but easy to skip for a milder slider.
- Salted butter: Adds flavor and seals everything with a golden finish as the sliders bake.
- Hot sauce: For an extra depth of heat brushed on top, optional but recommended for spice lovers.
- Worcestershire sauce: Just a dash makes the buttery glaze savory and irresistible.
- Chopped garlic: Toasts up beautifully on the slider tops, giving a punch of aromatic flavor.
- Poppy seeds: Sprinkle for a bakery-worthy crunch and pretty finish.
Variations
If you’re feeling adventurous or need to tweak the recipe for what you have on hand, Buffalo Chicken Dip Sliders are endlessly adaptable. Whether you want them extra spicy, gluten-free, or packed with sneaky veggies, the options are wide open—make it your own!
- Swap the Cheese: Try mozzarella for extra stretchiness, blue cheese crumbles for tang, or Monterey Jack if you prefer something mild.
- Go Low-Carb: Skip the rolls and serve the buffalo chicken dip mixture in lettuce cups or as loaded bell pepper boats instead of sliders.
- Add Hidden Veggies: Stir in a handful of finely chopped spinach or grated carrots for a nutrition boost that even picky eaters will love.
- Use Different Proteins: Substitute shredded turkey, cooked ground chicken, or even plant-based “chicken” to suit your preferences or dietary needs.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Dip Sliders
Step 1: Prepare the Buffalo Chicken Filling
Grab a large bowl and toss in your shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, softened cream cheese, cilantro, and scallions. Mix until everything is thoroughly combined—the mixture should be creamy and evenly coated, with pops of green throughout. This is where all that bold buffalo flavor begins to shine!
Step 2: Layer the Sliders
Lay the bottom half of the slider rolls on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle a generous handful of shredded cheddar cheese over the bread, then drizzle ranch dressing across the surface. Spoon the prepared buffalo chicken filling on top, spreading it out evenly. Next, shower on the pepper jack cheese and scatter pickled jalapeños (if using) for an added kick. Cap it all off with the slider tops.
Step 3: Make the Buttery Buffalo Glaze
In a smaller bowl, combine the melted butter, hot sauce, Worcestershire, and chopped garlic. Stir it up, then brush (or spoon) the mixture generously over the tops of your assembled sliders. Finish with an even sprinkle of poppy seeds for that perfect bakery slider touch.
Step 4: Bake and Serve
Cover the sliders loosely with foil and bake at 400°F for 10 minutes. Remove the foil, then continue baking for 10-15 minutes more—this helps the tops turn golden, the glaze to sizzle, and the cheese inside to become irresistibly melty. Let them cool just long enough so you can slice and serve them warm, straight from the oven.
Pro Tips for Making Buffalo Chicken Dip Sliders
- Shred Like a Pro: Use two forks or a stand mixer to get perfectly fluffy shredded chicken that soaks up every bit of sauce.
- Even Cheese, Even Melt: Layer cheese both under and over the chicken filling for max melt and to keep sliders from getting soggy.
- Seal with Butter: Don’t skip the butter glaze on top—it helps the slider tops get golden and keeps the inside super moist.
- Foil Trick: Baking covered at first traps steam and ensures gooey, evenly heated filling—then uncover so the tops can crisp up perfectly.
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Dip Sliders
Garnishes
To make your Buffalo Chicken Dip Sliders pop, try a sprinkle of fresh cilantro or scallions right before serving. For those who love an extra punch, a few additional pickled jalapeños or a drizzle of ranch on top add both flavor and a gorgeous, party-ready finish.
Side Dishes
Pair these sliders with celery sticks, carrot sticks, and crisp cucumber for that classic buffalo combo. They also complement potato wedges, a tangy slaw, or even a simple green salad—perfect for balancing out all that cheesy comfort.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re serving Buffalo Chicken Dip Sliders at a party, line them up on a wooden platter and stick decorative toothpicks in each for easy grabbing. For smaller gatherings, try a slider bar with bowls of extra toppings and let everyone customize their own. These also make a killer lunch box treat—just wrap them up and go!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Buffalo Chicken Dip Sliders can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. If possible, keep the sliders whole to help them stay moist; they reheat beautifully for a quick snack or next-day lunch.
Freezing
Want to save some for later? You can freeze cooked sliders, wrapped tightly in foil and tucked into a freezer bag, for up to one month. Thaw overnight in the fridge, and they’ll be ready to reheat whenever the craving hits.
Reheating
For best results, place Buffalo Chicken Dip Sliders on a baking sheet, cover loosely with foil, and warm in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes until heated through. A microwave works in a pinch, but the oven is the trick to crisping those tops while keeping the inside ultra-creamy.
FAQs
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Can I use rotisserie chicken for Buffalo Chicken Dip Sliders?
Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken is a fantastic timesaver and soaks up all the saucy, cheesy goodness perfectly. Just shred it and proceed as directed.
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What’s the best way to make these ahead of time?
Prepare the chicken filling and even assemble the sliders up to the point of baking, then cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 8 hours. When you’re ready, bake as directed, adding a couple extra minutes if baking straight from the fridge.
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How can I make Buffalo Chicken Dip Sliders less spicy?
Use a milder buffalo sauce, reduce or omit the pickled jalapeños, and add a bit more ranch or cream cheese to mellow the heat. You can also offer extra ranch dressing for drizzling at the table.
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Are these good for kids or picky eaters?
Definitely! Just adjust the spice by skipping jalapeños and using a mild buffalo sauce. Kids love the cheesy, creamy flavors and soft slider rolls—always a hit at family dinners.
Final Thoughts
Even if you’re just craving the ultimate comfort food or searching for a show-stopper party snack, Buffalo Chicken Dip Sliders check every box—they’re spicy, cheesy, and so much fun. Don’t wait for a special occasion. Make a batch, gather your favorite people, and enjoy every last gooey, flavor-packed bite!
Print
Buffalo Chicken Dip Sliders Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Total Time: 40 mins
- Yield: 12 sliders 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Buffalo Chicken Dip Sliders are the perfect party appetizer or game day snack! Packed with flavor and cheesy goodness, these sliders are sure to be a hit with your friends and family.
Ingredients
For the Buffalo Chicken Dip:
- 1 cup cooked shredded chicken
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
- 3 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/4 cup chopped scallions
For the Sliders:
- 1 package dinner rolls, halved lengthwise
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, melted
- 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
- 1/3 cup pickled jalapeños (optional)
- 4 tbsp salted butter
- 2 tbsp hot sauce
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 2 tbsp poppy seeds
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Prepare the Buffalo Chicken Dip: In a bowl, combine the chicken, buffalo sauce, cream cheese, cilantro, and scallions.
- Assemble the Sliders: Place the bottom half of the rolls on a baking sheet and layer with cheddar cheese, ranch dressing, buffalo chicken mixture, pepper jack cheese, and jalapeños. Top with the remaining roll halves.
- Make the Butter Sauce: Mix butter, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic. Spread over the rolls and sprinkle with poppy seeds.
- Bake: Cover the rolls with foil and bake for 10 minutes, then uncover and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted.
- Serve: Slice the sliders and serve warm!
Notes
- Feel free to customize these sliders with your favorite toppings or additional seasonings.
- For a spicier kick, add more hot sauce or jalapeños.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
