Hawaiian Roll Chicken Sliders

This chicken bacon ranch stuffed bread transforms ordinary Hawaiian rolls into irresistible party sliders that disappear within minutes at every gathering. The combination of tender shredded chicken, crispy bacon, and melty cheese all wrapped in soft, sweet rolls creates the ultimate comfort food that's both satisfying and incredibly simple to prepare.

I first made these sliders for a football Sunday gathering when I needed something quick but impressive. They were such a hit that now my friends specifically request them whenever we get together for game days or casual parties.

Ingredients

• Cooked shredded chicken perfect for using up rotisserie chicken or leftovers and provides a tender protein base
• Ranch dressing adds creamy tanginess that brings everything together look for buttermilk ranch for the best flavor
• Crumbled bacon provides that irresistible smoky crunch choose thick cut bacon for the best texture
• Parmesan cheese adds a salty umami depth that elevates the entire filling
• Hawaiian sweet rolls their natural sweetness perfectly balances the savory filling keep them connected in one piece for easier preparation
• Shredded cheddar cheese creates that Instagram worthy cheese pull use freshly shredded for best melting
• Butter creates the golden delicious tops that make these sliders irresistible use unsalted and add your own salt if needed
• Garlic powder infuses the butter topping with aromatic flavor without the risk of burning that fresh garlic has

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the oven and pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F and generously grease a 9x13 baking pan with butter or cooking spray. This prevents the rolls from sticking during baking and makes cleanup much easier.

Prepare the rolls

Keep the sweet rolls connected and use a large serrated knife to slice through the entire block horizontally creating one connected top and bottom piece. Place the bottom half in your prepared baking pan.

Mix the filling

In a large bowl combine the shredded chicken ranch dressing crumbled bacon and Parmesan cheese until everything is evenly incorporated. The mixture should be creamy but not runny enough to hold its shape when scooped.

Assemble the sliders

Spread the chicken mixture evenly over the bottom half of the rolls making sure to reach all the edges. Distribute the shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top of the chicken mixture so every slider gets plenty of cheese. Carefully place the top half of the rolls over the filling.

Create the garlic butter topping

Melt the butter in a microwave safe bowl then stir in the garlic powder until completely combined. Using a pastry brush generously brush this mixture over the tops of the rolls ensuring complete coverage for maximum flavor and golden browning.

Bake to perfection

Cover the pan with aluminum foil to prevent over browning and bake for 15 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes until the tops are golden and the cheese is completely melted and bubbly.

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These sliders remind me of Sunday afternoons at my grandmother's house where we would gather to watch football and share easy handheld foods. The combination of ranch and bacon was always her secret weapon for making anything taste better, and I carry on that tradition with these crowd pleasing sliders.

Make Ahead Magic

These sliders are perfect for prepping ahead of time. You can assemble everything up to 24 hours in advance, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. Just remember to add an extra 5 minutes to the baking time if cooking from cold. The make ahead approach actually allows the flavors to meld together even better, resulting in more flavorful sliders when you finally bake them.

Clever Substitutions

While the classic chicken bacon ranch combination is hard to beat, this recipe is incredibly versatile. Try using pulled pork with BBQ sauce instead of ranch, or go vegetarian with sautéed mushrooms and spinach. For those watching their calories, light ranch dressing and turkey bacon work beautifully. You can also experiment with different cheeses like pepper jack for heat or mozzarella for maximum cheese pulls.

Serving Suggestions

These sliders are substantial enough to serve as a main dish alongside a simple green salad, but they also work beautifully as part of a larger spread. For game day, pair them with vegetable crudités and dip to balance the richness. For brunch, serve alongside a fresh fruit platter. The sliders taste amazing warm from the oven but also hold up well at room temperature, making them ideal for buffet style serving.

Storage Solutions

Store any leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, place them in a 325°F oven for about 10 minutes until warmed through. Avoid using the microwave if possible as it can make the bread tough. If you want to freeze them, wrap individual sliders tightly in foil then place in freezer bags for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

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Recipe FAQs

→ Can I use store-bought rotisserie chicken for these sliders?

Absolutely! Using rotisserie chicken is actually recommended as a time-saving option. Simply shred the meat from a store-bought rotisserie chicken and measure out the 4 cups needed for the recipe.

→ How far in advance can I prepare these sliders?

You can assemble these sliders up to 24 hours in advance. Prepare everything as directed, but don't add the butter topping until just before baking. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate, then add the garlic butter mixture and bake when ready to serve.

→ Can I freeze these chicken bacon ranch sliders?

Yes, these sliders freeze well. Assemble them completely (including the butter topping), then wrap tightly in foil and freeze for up to 1 month. When ready to eat, bake from frozen at 350°F for about 25-30 minutes or until heated through.

→ What sides pair well with these stuffed Hawaiian rolls?

These sliders pair wonderfully with simple sides like potato chips, a green salad, coleslaw, or vegetable sticks. For a heartier meal, serve with sweet potato fries or a pasta salad.

→ Can I substitute the Hawaiian rolls with another type of bread?

While Hawaiian sweet rolls provide the perfect balance of sweetness against the savory filling, you can substitute with slider buns, dinner rolls, or even mini brioche buns. Just note that the flavor profile and baking time might change slightly.

→ How do I know when the sliders are done baking?

The sliders are done when the cheese is completely melted and the tops are lightly golden brown. This typically takes about 15 minutes when covered with foil. For a more golden top, remove the foil for the last 3-5 minutes of baking.