Easy Buffalo Chicken Sliders

These buffalo chicken sliders are an all-time favorite for game day or honestly any day you crave something spicy and cheesy, served on those soft, sweet Hawaiian rolls everyone loves!

Sliders have always been my go-to snack for game day, but why wait for football season? Buffalo chicken sliders make a fantastic quick dinner option too! Serve them up with some Easy Air Fryer French Fries and you’ve got a meal that’s totally kid-friendly and guaranteed to disappear fast. Honestly, these sliders might just rival my famous cheesy potatoes in popularity at my house!

(Oh, and don’t forget to peek at my recipes for Cheeseburger Sliders and Buffalo Chicken Wraps — they’re crowd-pleasers too!)

Nutrition

Whether it’s game day or just a busy weeknight, these buffalo chicken sliders bring big, bold flavor in a perfectly sized package. Thanks to Frank’s buffalo sauce, they have a nice spicy kick, balanced by creamy ranch dressing and the melty goodness of sharp cheddar and mozzarella cheeses — all hugged by soft, sweet King’s Hawaiian rolls that everyone can’t wait to sink their teeth into.

This recipe is all about easy, fuss-free cooking. Using shredded rotisserie chicken cuts down on prep time, and the sliders come together in minutes before baking into a melty, delicious casserole in under 30 minutes. Plus, you’ll get about a dozen sliders — ideal for feeding hungry families or guests.

Stick around for the full ingredient list, step-by-step directions, tips for making them kid-friendly or less spicy, clever swaps you might like, advice on storing and reheating, answers to popular questions, and fun serving ideas — like pairing these sliders with my favorite Easy Air Fryer French Fries.

What Makes Them So Good

Buffalo chicken sliders pack a spicy punch, so if your kids or guests shy away from heat, no worries! You can easily set aside some plain shredded chicken before mixing the rest with buffalo sauce to keep a milder option on hand. (And if you want to switch things up completely, try my Pizza Sliders or French Dip Sliders for a no-spice alternative — or these Cheeseburger Sliders.)

What I love most about this recipe is how it combines the convenience of rotisserie chicken with the best mix of spicy buffalo sauce, cool ranch dressing, and two kinds of melty cheese. Then, the buttery, sweet Hawaiian rolls bring everything together in the most comforting way — seriously, they are my favorite slider base.

On top of all that flavor, the entire meal comes together so quickly — under 30 minutes start to finish! It’s proof that you don’t need to fuss for a crowd-pleaser. If you want another fast, crowd-pleasing handheld, try these 20 Minute Mini Baked Chicken Tacos.

(By the way, if you enjoy buffalo chicken too, you can’t miss my Buffalo Chicken Pizza, Buffalo Chicken Casserole, Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower, and this crispy Baked Buffalo Wings recipe!)

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 3 cups rotisserie chicken, shredded
• 1 package Kings Hawaiian Rolls (12 count)
• 1/2 cup Ranch dressing
• 1/2 cup Frank’s buffalo sauce
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

Assemble, Bake, and Serve

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
3. Melt the butter.
4. In a small bowl, mix the melted butter with garlic powder and set aside.
5. In a large bowl, combine shredded rotisserie chicken, ranch dressing, buffalo sauce, and half of the shredded cheddar and mozzarella; stir to combine.

6. If the chicken mixture is overly saucy, drain off excess liquid.

7. Slice the Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally.
8. Place the bottom halves of the rolls in the prepared baking dish.
9. Spread the chicken mixture evenly over the bottom rolls.
10. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar and mozzarella over the chicken.
11. Place the top halves of the rolls over the cheese and brush the tops with the garlic butter mixture.
12. Cover the dish with foil.
13. Bake covered for 15 minutes at 350°F.
14. Remove the foil and bake an additional 5 minutes or until the tops are golden brown.
15. Remove from the oven and slice the sliders.

Tips for Perfect Texture and Flavor

• Set aside some plain shredded chicken before mixing the buffalo sauce if you need a child-friendly or milder option for guests sensitive to spice — or serve a batch of Juicy Oven Baked Chicken Bites as a completely non-spicy alternative.
• Shred your chicken finely — it helps the mixture spread easier on the rolls and ensures every bite is cheesy and gooey.
• Don’t skip covering the dish with foil for the first 15 minutes. This traps steam so the rolls stay soft and the chicken warms through without drying out.
• Brush the tops of the rolls well with the garlic butter so they get that golden, appetizing color. For extra shine, brush again right when you take the foil off.
• If you finish under the broiler for an extra crisp top, watch closely! It only takes seconds before it can go from golden to burnt.
• If the chicken mixture seems a bit saucy, drain off the excess liquid before layering to keep the bottoms from getting soggy.
• To warm leftovers, avoid the microwave for best texture. Instead, wrap them in foil and heat in a 350°F oven for 10 to 12 minutes, then unwrap and bake a few more minutes to crisp up the tops.
• Use toothpicks to keep sliders together, especially for parties or when serving a crowd — makes handling them so much easier!

Easy Variations and Substitutions

• Blue cheese: Swap ranch dressing for blue cheese dressing or sprinkle crumbled blue cheese over the chicken for a classic Buffalo flavor twist.
• Heat level: Adjust the spice by adding more or less Frank’s buffalo sauce, or mellow things out by mixing hot sauce with melted butter before tossing the chicken.
• Cheese options: Try provolone, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack instead of cheddar or mozzarella for a different cheesy vibe.
• Protein swaps: Use shredded baked chicken breasts, leftover rotisserie chicken, pulled turkey, or even shredded pork in place of the rotisserie chicken.
• Vegetarian option: Replace chicken with shredded roasted cauliflower or jackfruit mixed with buffalo sauce for a delicious plant-based slider.
• Bread alternatives: Brioche slider buns, soft dinner rolls, gluten-free buns, or even lettuce cups for a low-carb twist.
• Add-ins: Stir in diced celery, sliced green onions, crispy bacon, or pickled red onion to the chicken mixture for extra texture and flavor.
• BBQ twist: Swap out buffalo sauce for your favorite barbecue sauce (try this homemade sticky BBQ sauce) mixed with ranch or mayo for a smoky BBQ chicken slider variation.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

You can keep leftover buffalo chicken sliders wrapped tightly in foil or in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2–3 days. While microwave reheating is convenient, I always recommend warming them in a 350ºF oven for 10-12 minutes wrapped in foil, then a few minutes uncovered to bring back that melty cheese and slightly crisp top.

Common Questions About the Recipe

What exactly is Buffalo chicken?

Buffalo chicken started as fried chicken wings tossed in a spicy buffalo sauce, but now people use Buffalo sauce with all sorts of chicken recipes — from dips to sliders. If you like buffalo chicken flavors, give my Buffalo Chicken Nachos or Easy Buffalo Chicken Dip a try!

Why do they call it Buffalo chicken?

It’s named after Buffalo, New York, where the spicy sauce and wing combo was first created — it has nothing to do with the buffalo animal itself!

What kind of Buffalo sauce should I use for these Buffalo chicken sliders?

I always recommend classic Frank’s Red Hot Wings Sauce — it’s the original and most popular sauce for authentic Buffalo chicken flavor.

Can I use blue cheese dressing in Buffalo Chicken Sliders?

Absolutely! Buffalo chicken pairs perfectly with blue cheese or ranch dressing, so feel free to swap ranch for blue cheese dressing to suit your taste.