BBQ Chicken Sliders with Coleslaw

Introduction

BBQ Chicken Sliders with Coleslaw are the ultimate comfort food—sweet, smoky, tangy, and oh-so-satisfying. Tender shredded chicken coated in smoky barbecue sauce is tucked inside soft slider buns, then topped with crunchy, creamy coleslaw. It’s the perfect bite-sized meal that balances rich and refreshing flavors in every mouthful.

This dish is ideal for family dinners, potlucks, or game-day gatherings because sliders are fun, easy to eat, and universally loved. The coleslaw adds freshness and crunch that beautifully cuts through the rich BBQ chicken, making it a well-rounded dish.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it’s versatile and crowd-pleasing. The chicken can be cooked in a slow cooker, Instant Pot, or stovetop, making it incredibly adaptable to your time and kitchen setup. The homemade coleslaw provides that fresh, crunchy texture that pairs perfectly with the saucy, savory chicken. Another reason I adore it? It’s a meal that feels indulgent but is actually balanced—protein from chicken, veggies from coleslaw, and carbs from slider buns.

It’s also a family favorite: kids love the mini sandwiches, and adults can’t resist the flavor combination.

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

This recipe is a must-try because:

• It’s perfect for parties or gatherings—easy to make in big batches.
• It’s balanced in flavor and texture, with smoky chicken and refreshing slaw.
• It’s customizable—you can play with sauces, toppings, and even proteins.
• It’s fun and casual, yet impressive enough to serve at special occasions.

Recipe Information

• Preparation Time: 20 minutes
• Cooking Time: 40 minutes (or 6–7 hours in slow cooker)
• Total Time: 1 hour (active) or up to 7 hours (passive, slow cooker)
• Servings: 12 sliders (6 servings, 2 sliders each)
• Calories per Serving: ~380–420 kcal (with bun, chicken, BBQ sauce, and coleslaw)
• Course: Main Course / Party Dish
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

For the BBQ Chicken:

• 2 lbs (900 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs for juicier texture)
• 2 cups BBQ sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil (if cooking stovetop)
• ½ cup chicken broth (for slow cooker/Instant Pot method)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

For the Coleslaw:

• 4 cups shredded green cabbage (or coleslaw mix)
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp honey (or sugar)
• ½ tsp celery seeds (optional, for classic flavor)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

For Assembling Sliders:

• 12 slider buns (Hawaiian rolls or brioche recommended)
• 2 tbsp melted butter (for brushing buns, optional)
• Pickles, jalapeños, or extra BBQ sauce for garnish (optional)

Cooking Directions

1. Cook the Chicken:
   • Slow Cooker: Place chicken, onion, garlic, broth, and BBQ sauce in a slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours. Shred with two forks.
   • Stovetop: Heat olive oil, sauté onion and garlic, add chicken and BBQ sauce, cover, and simmer 30–40 minutes until chicken is tender. Shred.
   • Instant Pot: Add all ingredients, cook on high pressure for 10 minutes, quick release, shred chicken.
2. Make the Coleslaw: In a mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, vinegar, honey, celery seeds, salt, and pepper. Toss in cabbage and carrots until well coated. Chill until ready to serve.
3. Assemble Sliders: Slice slider buns in half. Pile BBQ chicken onto the bottom half, top with coleslaw, and cover with the top bun. Brush buns with melted butter if desired.

Step-by-Step Preparation Method

1. Chop onion and garlic, prepare chicken.
2. Cook chicken using preferred method until tender.
3. Shred chicken and coat with BBQ sauce.
4. Mix coleslaw dressing, toss with shredded cabbage and carrots.
5. Slice slider buns and lightly toast if preferred.
6. Assemble by layering BBQ chicken, coleslaw, and optional pickles/jalapeños.
7. Serve immediately.

How to Serve

• Serve warm with coleslaw inside the sliders or on the side.
• Pair with fries, potato salad, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
• For parties, serve on a platter with toothpicks for easy grabbing.

Recipe Tips

• For extra smoky flavor, use smoked paprika or chipotle powder in the BBQ sauce.
• Don’t over-sauce the chicken—it should be moist, not dripping. Add more sauce just before assembling if needed.
• Coleslaw is best chilled for at least 20 minutes before serving to let flavors develop.
• Toasting slider buns keeps them from getting soggy.

Variations

• Spicy Sliders: Use spicy BBQ sauce and top with jalapeños.
• Cheesy Sliders: Add a slice of cheddar or pepper jack cheese over the chicken before adding coleslaw.
• Buffalo Chicken Sliders: Swap BBQ sauce for buffalo sauce, top with ranch coleslaw.
• Vegetarian Version: Use pulled jackfruit or shredded mushrooms instead of chicken.
• Sweet & Tangy: Mix pineapple chunks into the chicken for a tropical twist.

Freezing & Storage

• Refrigeration: Store cooked chicken in an airtight container for 3–4 days. Store coleslaw separately for 2 days.
• Freezing: BBQ chicken can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight and reheat before assembling. Coleslaw does not freeze well.
• Reheating: Warm chicken in a skillet with a splash of water or BBQ sauce. Assemble with fresh buns and slaw.

Special Equipment Needed

• Slow cooker, Instant Pot, or large skillet (depending on cooking method)
• Mixing bowls for coleslaw
• Baking sheet (if toasting buns)

Conclusion

BBQ Chicken Sliders with Coleslaw are the definition of comfort food with a playful twist. They’re smoky, tangy, crunchy, and utterly satisfying—perfect for game nights, potlucks, or casual family dinners. The combination of juicy BBQ chicken with creamy, refreshing coleslaw inside a pillowy slider bun is a match made in culinary heaven. Once you try them, you’ll want to make these sliders part of your regular menu rotation.

Print Recipe

BBQ Chicken Sliders with Coleslaw

Author: Laura Bennett Cuisine: American Courses: Dinner

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 20 mins Cook Time 40 mins Total Time 1 hr

Servings: 12 Calories: 420kcal

Description

BBQ Chicken Sliders with Coleslaw are the ultimate comfort food—sweet, smoky, tangy, and oh-so-satisfying. Tender shredded chicken coated in smoky barbecue sauce is tucked inside soft slider buns, then topped with crunchy, creamy coleslaw.

Ingredients

Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

For the BBQ Chicken:

• 2 lbs (900 g)
• 2 cups BBQ sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil (if cooking stovetop)
• ½ cup chicken broth (for slow cooker/Instant Pot method)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

For the Coleslaw:

• 4 cups shredded green cabbage (or coleslaw mix)
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp honey (or sugar)
• ½ tsp celery seeds (optional, for classic flavor)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

For Assembling Sliders:

• 12 slider buns (Hawaiian rolls or brioche recommended)
• 2 tbsp melted butter (for brushing buns, optional)
• Pickles, jalapeños, or extra BBQ sauce for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Cook the Chicken:
2. Slow Cooker: Place chicken, onion, garlic, broth, and BBQ sauce in a slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours. Shred with two forks.
3. Stovetop: Heat olive oil, sauté onion and garlic, add chicken and BBQ sauce, cover, and simmer 30–40 minutes until chicken is tender. Shred.
4. Instant Pot: Add all ingredients, cook on high pressure for 10 minutes, quick release, shred chicken.
5. Make the Coleslaw: In a mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, vinegar, honey, celery seeds, salt, and pepper. Toss in cabbage and carrots until well coated. Chill until ready to serve.
6. Assemble Sliders: Slice slider buns in half. Pile BBQ chicken onto the bottom half, top with coleslaw, and cover with the top bun. Brush buns with melted butter if desired.

Keywords: BBQ Chicken Sliders with Coleslaw