Buffalo Chicken Sliders

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All of your favorite classic wing flavors sandwiched inside a mini brioche bun in these Buffalo chicken sliders. Tangy, spicy shredded chicken, crunchy lettuce, and creamy blue cheese…touchdown!

I can’t remember when I got fancy (but not too fancy for these Buffalo chicken sliders). That moment when I ordered foie gras because I was craving it versus trying to prove a point. When a cocktail became a perfectly chilled martini instead of a well priced beer. When I set the table with all the flatware, regardless if we were going to use it or not.

But as fancy as I get, whenever I see “Buffalo” anything on the menu, I’m ordering it. Maybe it’s the upstate girl in me or maybe it’s my soft spot for dive bars and bar food, there’s just something about that spicy, tangy flavor that I can never pass up.

And now with the Super Bowl on the horizon my favorite flavors get to take center stage. It’s the holiday (wait, it’s not a holiday??) when simple, calorie-laden finger food finally gets to wear the veil and white dress, not just stand along the aisle in uncomfortable crunchy pink taffeta. When everything we’ve resolved against since January 1st is not only allowed, but encouraged.

I thought about making you straight up banging Buffalo chicken wings today, but instead I got all fancy.

Instead I poached some chicken, shredded it, and stirred it into my favorite Buffalo sauce. I heaped that on top of little brioche buns, covered it with shredded lettuce and spooned some blue cheese spread over the top.

It’s all the flavors you crave in your go-to dive bar wings, except well, it’s just a little fancy.

But in this case fancy doesn’t mean difficult. In fact, it’s probably even easier than a traditional chicken wing recipe and (dare I say it?) a little bit healthier.

These little sliders are perfect party fare…the pulled chicken can be made well ahead and you can literally toss them together moments before your guests arrive.

Let’s make Buffalo Chicken Sliders

1. Combine the water, stock, salt and chicken in a saucepan. Simmer until cooked through. Remove to a bowl to cool.
2. Once the chicken is cool enough to handle, pull apart with your hands or shred with two forks.
3. Combine all the ingredients for the Buffalo sauce in a saucepan.
4. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Whisk well and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
5. Combine all the ingredients for the blue cheese sauce in a bowl.
6. Stir well to combine.
7. Mix the shredded chicken into the Buffalo sauce. Bring to a simmer and heat through.
8. To serve, spilt a mini brioche bun and top with Buffalo chicken, blue cheese sauce, and shredded lettuce.

Tips for success

• When you’re poaching the chicken, watch to be sure that the chicken remains tender and doesn’t become rubbery. A very low heat works best and you can even turn off the heat entirely after about 10 mins. Just leave the chicken in the covered pot.
• Test one chicken breast to see if it is cooked through before removing to a bowl to cool.
• These sliders are perfect party food because they are easily made ahead. Keep the Buffalo chicken, sauce, and lettuce separate and put the sandwiches together just before serving.
• If you don’t want to make all the sandwiches, you can instead create a self-serve station. Keep the Buffalo chicken warm and serve alongside the split buns, shredded lettuce, and blue cheese sauce and allow guests to help themselves.

Just in case you’re still craving a wing recipe, these crispy asian wings are eternal crowd pleasers or stay all Buffalo, all the time, with these baked Buffalo wings. So go ahead and embrace your inner dive bar girl with these sliders and maybe even pour yourself a glass of champagne, because hell, we’re fancy.

More party faves

• Bacon and Cheddar Jalapeno Poppers
• Crispy Asian Chicken Wings 
• Garlic and Herb Grilled Chicken Wings
• Pigs in the Blanker (with a TWIST)
• Buffalo Cauliflower Bites with Blue Cheese Dipping Sauce
• Baked Buffalo Wings

4 from 3 votes

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Buffalo Chicken Sliders

Prep Time

30 mins

Cook Time

40 mins

Total Time

1 hr 10 mins

 

All of your favorite classic wing flavors sandwiched inside a mini brioche bun in these Buffalo chicken sliders. Tangy, spicy shredded chicken, crunchy lettuce, and creamy blue cheese…touchdown!

Course: Sandwich

Cuisine: American

Keyword: buffalo chicken sliders

Servings: 18 Sliders

Calories: 254 kcal

Author: Cathy Roma | What Should I Make For…

Ingredients

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless, chicken breasts
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 2 cups water
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 3 cups Romaine lettuce, shredded
• 18 slider buns, preferable brioche

Buffalo Sauce

• 4 oz unsalted butter, melted (1 stick)
• 1½ Tbsp light brown sugar
• 1 tsp garlic salt
• 1 tsp sweet paprika
• 2 tsp white vinegar
• ½ cup Franks RedHot Sauce
• 2 Tbsp sriracha sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

Blue Cheese Spread

• ½ cup crumbled blue cheese
• 1/4 cup creme fraiche
• ⅓ cup mayonnaise
• 2 Tbsp buttermilk
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Place the chicken, stock, water and salt in a large covered saucepan and bring to a simmer. Reduce to a bare simmer and simmer until the chicken is cooked though, about 20 mins.

2. Remove the chicken to a plate and pull apart with two forks or your hands when cool enough to handle.

Buffalo Sauce

1. Whisk together all of the ingredients for the Buffalo sauce in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 2-3 mins. and set aside.

Blue Cheese Spread

1. Whisk together all of the ingredients for the blue cheese spread and set aside.

To Serve

1. Add the pulled chicken to the Buffalo sauce and simmer over low heat, covered, for 20 mins.

2. Spilt the slider buns and pile with the pulled Buffalo chicken, shredded lettuce and a dollop of the blue cheese spread smeared on the top bun.

Recipe Notes

• When you’re poaching the chicken, watch to be sure that the chicken remains tender and doesn’t become rubbery. A very low heat works best and you can even turn off the heat entirely after about 10 mins. Just leave the chicken in the covered pot. Test one chicken breast to see if it is cooked through before removing to a bowl to cool.
• These sliders are perfect party food because they are easily made ahead. Keep the Buffalo chicken, sauce, and lettuce separate and put the sandwiches together just before serving.
• If you don’t want to make all the sandwiches, you can instead create a self-serve station. Keep the Buffalo chicken warm and serve alongside the split buns, shredded lettuce, and blue cheese sauce and allow guests to help themselves.

Nutrition Facts

Buffalo Chicken Sliders

Amount Per Serving

Calories 254 Calories from Fat 108

% Daily Value*

Fat 12g18%

Saturated Fat 5g31%

Cholesterol 52mg17%

Sodium 683mg30%

Potassium 254mg7%

Carbohydrates 18g6%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 4g4%

Protein 14g28%

Vitamin A 960IU19%

Vitamin C 2.1mg3%

Calcium 59mg6%

Iron 1.2mg7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Update Notes: This post was originally published in January 2018 but was republished with step-by-step photos and tips in February 2023.