Save My neighbor knocked on my door one Sunday with a pan still warm from her oven, insisting I try what she called pizza dip sliders. I took one bite standing in my doorway and actually laughed out loud at how ridiculously good they were. The creamy Buffalo chicken filling, the gooey cheese, the buttery garlic top, all tucked into soft sweet rolls. I went back inside, grabbed the recipe she texted me, and made them that same night for my family. Theyve been on repeat ever since.
I brought these to a potluck last spring and watched grown adults hover around the pan like it was the only food in the room. One friend actually asked if I catered them because they looked too perfect to be homemade. I just laughed and told her it took me less than an hour, including the baking time. She made them the following weekend and sent me a photo of her empty pan with the caption, Gone in 10 minutes. Thats the power of these little sliders.
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Ingredients
- Cooked chicken breast, shredded: Rotisserie chicken is your best friend here, it saves time and adds extra flavor from the seasoning.
- Buffalo wing sauce: This is what gives the dip its signature tang and heat, dont skimp or use mild sauce unless you really want to.
- Cream cheese, softened: Let it sit out for at least 30 minutes so it blends smoothly without lumps, cold cream cheese will not cooperate.
- Ranch dressing: It cools down the spice and adds a creamy richness that ties everything together.
- Sour cream: This makes the filling extra luscious and tangy, balancing the sharpness of the Buffalo sauce.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully and gives you those stretchy cheese pulls everyone loves.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Adds a sharper, bolder flavor that contrasts nicely with the mozzarella.
- Slider buns (Hawaiian rolls or soft dinner rolls): The slight sweetness of Hawaiian rolls is perfect here, but any soft roll works.
- Unsalted butter, melted: Brushing this on top creates a golden, crispy crust that makes these sliders irresistible.
- Garlic powder: Mixed into the butter, it adds a savory note that makes the whole kitchen smell amazing.
- Chopped fresh parsley (optional): A sprinkle on top adds color and a tiny hint of freshness, but its totally optional.
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep:
- Set your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish so nothing sticks. This is also a good time to pull out your ingredients and let that cream cheese soften if you forgot.
- Mix the Filling:
- In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, Buffalo sauce, cream cheese, ranch, and sour cream until its smooth and creamy. Fold in half the mozzarella and half the cheddar, saving the rest for the top layer.
- Prep the Buns:
- Slice the slider buns in half horizontally, keeping them connected if you can for easier handling. Lay the bottom halves flat in your greased baking dish.
- Assemble the Sliders:
- Spread the Buffalo chicken mixture evenly over the bottom buns, then sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. Place the top halves of the buns over everything like a blanket.
- Butter the Tops:
- Mix the melted butter with garlic powder and brush it generously over the tops of the buns. Dont be shy, this is what makes them golden and delicious.
- Bake Covered:
- Cover the dish with foil and bake for 15 minutes so the cheese melts and the filling gets hot. Remove the foil and bake another 8 to 10 minutes until the tops are golden brown and slightly crispy.
- Garnish and Serve:
- Sprinkle with chopped parsley if you like, then slice into individual sliders and serve them while theyre still warm and gooey.
Save The first time I made these for a birthday party, I set them on the table and turned around to grab napkins. When I came back, half the pan was already gone and people were hovering with plates, asking if there were more in the oven. There werent, and I learned my lesson. Now I always make a double batch, because one pan is never, ever enough.
Flavor Variations You Can Try
If you want extra heat, stir in a few dashes of hot sauce or sprinkle red pepper flakes into the filling. For a smokier flavor, add crumbled cooked bacon or a drizzle of barbecue sauce on top before baking. You can even swap the ranch for blue cheese dressing if you want that classic Buffalo wing vibe. I once added chopped green onions and it gave the sliders a fresh bite that everyone loved.
Serving Suggestions
These are perfect on their own, but I like to set out celery sticks, carrot sticks, and a little bowl of extra Buffalo sauce or ranch for dipping. They pair beautifully with a crisp coleslaw or a simple green salad if youre trying to balance out the richness. I served them once with sweet potato fries on the side and it was the best game day spread Id ever put together. People kept coming back for more, and I didnt even have to ask if they liked them.
Make Ahead and Storage Tips
You can assemble these sliders completely, cover them tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the covered baking time since theyll be cold from the fridge. Leftovers reheat surprisingly well in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes, though they never last long enough in my house to worry about storage. If you want to freeze them, assemble but dont bake, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to a month, then bake from frozen adding about 10 extra minutes.
- Let the sliders cool completely before wrapping if youre storing leftovers, or theyll get soggy.
- Reheat in the oven, not the microwave, to keep the tops crispy and the cheese melty.
- If freezing, label the pan with the date and baking instructions so future you doesnt have to guess.
Save These sliders have become my go to whenever I need to impress without stressing, and they never let me down. I hope they become a favorite in your kitchen too, because everyone deserves a recipe this easy and this wildly delicious.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → Can I use rotisserie chicken for this dish?
Yes, rotisserie chicken works perfectly and saves time. Simply shred 2 cups of the meat and proceed with the instructions.
- → How do I prevent the buns from getting soggy?
The cream cheese mixture is thick enough to prevent sogginess, but avoid over-saturating the buns. You can also lightly toast the buns before assembling.
- → Can I make these sliders ahead of time?
Yes, assemble the sliders completely, cover tightly, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking. Add 5 minutes to the covered baking time if baking from cold.
- → What can I substitute for Buffalo sauce?
Try BBQ sauce for a sweeter version, or use hot sauce mixed with melted butter for a milder heat level. Adjust quantities to taste.
- → How should I store leftovers?
Store leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 300°F oven for 10-12 minutes until warmed through.
- → Can I freeze these sliders?
Yes, freeze baked sliders wrapped tightly in foil for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven until hot.
