Crack Chicken Sliders – The Best Cheesy Bacon Ranch Sandwich Ever Recipe
Introduction
Crack Chicken Sliders are a delicious, cheesy, and savory treat perfect for parties or an easy weeknight meal. Packed with shredded chicken, bacon, ranch seasoning, and melted cheese, these sliders are sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
- 3 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie or homemade)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning mix
- 8 slices cooked bacon, chopped
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar or Colby Jack cheese
- 1 package (12-count) Hawaiian rolls or slider buns
- ¼ cup melted butter
- Optional: 2 green onions, chopped for garnish
- Optional: 1 tsp garlic powder or ranch powder for butter topping
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking dish with foil or parchment paper.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, softened cream cheese, ranch seasoning mix, chopped bacon, and shredded cheese. Mix until well blended.
- Step 3: Slice the Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally, keeping the tops and bottoms connected.
- Step 4: Place the bottom halves of the rolls in the prepared baking dish. Spread the chicken mixture evenly over them.
- Step 5: If desired, sprinkle extra cheese over the chicken mixture, then place the top halves of the rolls back on.
- Step 6: In a small bowl, mix the melted butter with garlic powder or ranch powder. Brush this mixture generously over the tops of the rolls.
- Step 7: Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the tops are golden brown.
- Step 8: Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing into individual sliders.
- Step 9: Garnish with chopped green onions if desired and serve warm.
Tips & Variations
- For extra flavor, try adding a teaspoon of smoked paprika or cayenne pepper to the chicken mixture.
- Swap out cheddar for pepper jack cheese to add a little spice.
- If you don’t have Hawaiian rolls, any soft slider buns or dinner rolls will work well.
- Make the sliders ahead of time and refrigerate before baking for a convenient meal prep option.
Storage
Store leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes or until heated through. Avoid microwaving to keep the tops crisp.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use shredded turkey instead of chicken?
Yes, shredded turkey works great as a substitute and pairs well with the ranch and bacon flavors.
Can I prepare these sliders ahead of time?
Absolutely. Assemble the sliders, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Simply add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking straight from the fridge.
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Crack Chicken Sliders – The Best Cheesy Bacon Ranch Sandwich Ever Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 sliders 1x
Description
Crack Chicken Sliders are a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer featuring shredded chicken, cream cheese, ranch seasoning, crispy bacon, and melted cheddar on soft Hawaiian rolls. This crowd-pleasing dish is perfect for game days, parties, or casual family dinners.
Ingredients
Chicken Mixture
- 3 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie or homemade)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning mix
- 8 slices cooked bacon, chopped
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar or Colby Jack cheese
Slider Assembly
- 1 package (12-count) Hawaiian rolls or slider buns
- ¼ cup melted butter
- Optional: 2 green onions, chopped for garnish
- Optional: 1 tsp garlic powder or ranch powder for butter topping
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking dish with foil or parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
- Prepare Chicken Mixture: In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken, softened cream cheese, ranch seasoning mix, chopped bacon, and shredded cheddar cheese. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well blended.
- Slice Rolls: Carefully slice the Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally, ensuring the tops and bottoms remain connected like a hinge for easy assembly.
- Assemble Sliders: Place the bottom halves of the rolls into the prepared baking dish. Evenly spread the chicken mixture over the bottom halves.
- Add Cheese and Replace Tops: Sprinkle extra cheddar cheese over the chicken mixture if desired, then place the top halves of the rolls back onto the sliders.
- Butter Topping: In a small bowl, mix the melted butter with garlic powder or ranch powder (if using). Brush this mixture generously over the tops of the slider buns for added flavor and browning.
- Bake: Bake the sliders in the preheated oven for 15–20 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the tops of the rolls are golden brown.
- Rest and Slice: Remove from the oven and allow the sliders to rest for 5 minutes; this helps the cheese set slightly for easier slicing.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with chopped green onions if desired. Serve the sliders warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for a quick shortcut or homemade cooked chicken for more control over seasoning.
- Substitute ranch seasoning with your favorite dry ranch packet or homemade blend.
- Cheese options like Colby Jack or sharp cheddar work well. Feel free to mix for extra flavor.
- Butter topping can be customized with garlic or ranch powder, or left plain for a milder taste.
- To save time, prepare the chicken mixture the day before and assemble just before baking.
- Serve immediately after baking for best texture; sliders can also be reheated gently.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Crack Chicken Sliders, cheesy sliders, bacon ranch sliders, Hawaiian roll sandwiches, party appetizers
