Description
These Crack Chicken Sliders on soft Hawaiian rolls are a delicious, crowd-pleasing appetizer or snack featuring a creamy ranch and cheddar chicken filling, baked until golden and topped with melted butter, parmesan, and fresh chives.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 16 ounces (2 8-ounce packages) cream cheese, softened
- 1 ounce packet dry ranch dressing mix
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
- ⅓ cup thinly sliced green onion
- 2½ cups cooked, shredded boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 12 ounces cooked, crumbled bacon
- 2½ cups mild shredded cheddar cheese, divided (1 cup + 1½ cups)
Slider assembly
- 12 count package sweet Hawaiian rolls, sliced in half
- 6 tablespoons salted sweet cream butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh chives
Instructions
- Prepare baking dish and preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick spray, then set it aside.
- Melt cream cheese: Place the softened cream cheese in a 4 to 5 quart heavy bottom stock pot over medium heat and stir frequently until it is fully melted and smooth.
- Add seasoning: Sprinkle the ranch dressing mix, onion powder, and freshly cracked black pepper into the melted cream cheese, stirring well to combine. Then remove the pot from heat.
- Combine filling ingredients: Stir in the thinly sliced green onions, shredded chicken, crumbled cooked bacon, and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese until everything is thoroughly incorporated into the creamy mixture.
- Arrange bottom rolls: Place the bottom halves of the Hawaiian rolls evenly into the prepared baking dish to create a base layer.
- Spread chicken mixture: Evenly spread the chicken and cheese ranch mixture over the bottom rolls in the dish.
- Add more cheese: Sprinkle the remaining 1½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the chicken mixture for a cheesy top layer.
- Top with rolls: Lay the top halves of the Hawaiian rolls over the shredded cheese layer to close the sliders.
- Brush with butter: Using a pastry brush, generously spread the melted salted sweet cream butter over the top of the rolls for a golden finish.
- Sprinkle parmesan: Evenly sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese over the buttered rolls for added flavor and texture.
- Add fresh chives: Finish by sprinkling finely chopped fresh chives evenly over the parmesan-coated rolls.
- Bake covered: Cover the entire baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 minutes to heat through and meld flavors.
- Bake uncovered: Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 5 to 8 minutes until the tops are golden brown and slightly crispy.
- Rest and serve: Take the sliders out of the oven and let them rest for 5 minutes before cutting into individual servings to allow them to set.
Notes
- You can prepare the filling a day ahead and store it refrigerated, then assemble and bake before serving.
- For spicier sliders, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the filling mixture.
- Use freshly cooked chicken for best texture, or rotisserie chicken as a quick shortcut.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge and reheated in the oven covered with foil to maintain moisture.
- The sliders are great for parties, game days, or casual family dinners.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 33 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: crack chicken sliders, Hawaiian rolls, ranch chicken sliders, cheesy chicken sliders, baked sliders, party appetizers
