BBQ Chicken Sliders with Slaw (Printer-friendly)

Tender pulled chicken with tangy slaw on toasted mini buns. Ideal for entertaining and casual gatherings.

# 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 tablespoon olive oil
05 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon 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 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
14 - 1 teaspoon honey
15 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Assembly

16 - 12 mini slider buns
17 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (optional)

# How To Make It:

01 - In a large pot or slow cooker, combine chicken breasts, 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 chicken and shred with two forks, then return to the sauce and simmer for 5 minutes to allow flavors to absorb.
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 buns with melted butter and toast in a skillet or oven until golden brown.
04 - Place a generous spoonful of pulled BBQ chicken on the bottom half of each bun, top with a scoop of slaw, cover with bun tops, and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything comes together in under an hour, and half of that is hands-off simmering time.
  • The tangy slaw cuts through the sweetness of the barbecue sauce in a way that makes every bite feel balanced.
  • You can make the chicken ahead and just assemble when guests arrive, which has saved me more times than I can count.
02 -
  • Don't skip shredding the chicken while it's still hot, it's much easier and the meat absorbs more sauce that way.
  • If your slaw seems too thick, add a teaspoon of water or extra vinegar to loosen it up before serving.
  • Toasting the buns really does prevent them from turning into a soggy mess halfway through eating.
03 -
  • Use kitchen shears to quickly shred the chicken right in the pot if you're short on time or patience.
  • A little extra barbecue sauce on the side lets everyone adjust the flavor to their liking without overwhelming the slider.
  • If you're making these for a crowd, double the slaw recipe because it always goes faster than you think.
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