Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders Recipe

If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing appetizer or a simple, satisfying dinner, these Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders are a perfect choice. Packed with tender shredded chicken, crispy bacon, creamy ranch, and melted cheese, all nestled in soft, buttery slider buns, these sliders bring together classic flavors in a deliciously easy recipe. Ideal for game days, family gatherings, or casual dinners, they come together in less than an hour and make a perfect addition to any table.

These Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders combine the comforting flavors of ranch, bacon, and tender chicken in one bite-sized delight. This recipe is versatile and can be adjusted to feed a crowd or scaled down for a cozy meal. These sliders are made with pre-cooked chicken, so they’re both quick and easy to assemble, yet packed with flavor. Whether you’re hosting a party or enjoying a casual dinner at home, these sliders are sure to be a hit.

Preparation Steps

Step 1: Prep the Ingredients

1. Shred the Chicken: If you’re using a rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken, shred it into bite-sized pieces. You’ll need around 3 cups.
2. Cook the Bacon: If the bacon is not pre-cooked, cook it in a skillet until crispy, then crumble it into small pieces.
3. Grate the Cheese: Use a box grater to shred the cheese. Mozzarella, cheddar, or a combination of both works well.

Step 2: Prepare the Slider Buns

1. Split the Buns: Carefully separate the top layer of slider buns from the bottom, keeping the buns connected as a single layer to make assembling easier.
2. Prepare Baking Dish: Grease the baking dish or line it with parchment paper. Place the bottom layer of buns in the dish.

Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Assemble the Sliders

1. Layer the Chicken: Spread the shredded chicken evenly over the bottom layer of buns.
2. Add the Ranch: Drizzle or spread the ranch dressing evenly over the chicken. If you’re using ranch seasoning mix for an extra flavor boost, sprinkle it over the ranch dressing.
3. Add Bacon: Sprinkle the crumbled bacon evenly over the chicken and ranch layer.
4. Top with Cheese: Evenly distribute the shredded cheese over the bacon layer, ensuring every bun will get some cheesy goodness.

Step 2: Add the Top Buns

Place the top layer of buns on top of the assembled sliders.

Step 3: Prepare the Butter Topping

1. Melt Butter: In a small bowl, melt the butter. Stir in the garlic powder and, if desired, a sprinkle of parsley.
2. Brush the Buns: Use a brush to spread the melted butter mixture generously over the top of the slider buns. This will help them brown beautifully and add flavor.

Step 4: Bake the Sliders

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cover and Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and place in the oven. Bake for 15 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt and the sliders to heat through.
3. Uncover and Brown: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the tops are golden and the cheese is bubbly.

Tip: Keep an eye on the sliders during this last step to avoid over-browning.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these sliders warm, straight from the oven. For a party, consider cutting them into individual portions before serving. These sliders pair well with a side of fries, potato salad, or coleslaw for a full meal. They’re also fantastic alongside a fresh green salad or a side of pickles.

Tips for Success

1. Use Pre-Cooked Chicken: Rotisserie chicken works great for this recipe and saves time.
2. Choose Soft Buns: Hawaiian rolls add a subtle sweetness that complements the ranch and bacon, but any soft dinner roll will work.
3. Customize Your Ranch: If you love the flavor of ranch, add ranch seasoning mix to the dressing for an extra kick.
4. Watch the Browning: Keep an eye on the sliders during the final baking minutes to prevent the buns from over-browning.

Recipe Variations

1. Spicy Ranch Sliders: Add a dash of hot sauce to the ranch dressing for a kick of heat.
2. Buffalo Chicken Sliders: Substitute ranch with buffalo sauce for a spicy twist. Pair with blue cheese or ranch dressing on the side.
3. BBQ Bacon Sliders: Replace ranch with BBQ sauce and add sliced pickles for a tangy flavor combination.
4. Turkey Ranch Sliders: Use shredded turkey instead of chicken for a variation on this classic.

Storage and Reheating

Storing Leftovers

• Refrigerator: Store leftover sliders in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Freezer: You can freeze these sliders by wrapping them individually in plastic wrap and storing them in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.

Reheating Instructions

1. Oven: Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Wrap the sliders in foil and reheat for 10-12 minutes until warm.
2. Microwave: For individual portions, microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until heated through.

Conclusion

These Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders are the ultimate combination of creamy ranch, crispy bacon, and melted cheese – all packed into bite-sized buns that make for the perfect snack, appetizer, or light meal. This recipe is easy to customize, quick to prepare, and sure to be a hit at any gathering.

Yield: 12 Sliders

Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders Recipe

Print

If you're looking for a crowd-pleasing appetizer or a simple, satisfying dinner, these Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders are a perfect choice. Packed with tender shredded chicken, crispy bacon, creamy ranch, and melted cheese, all nestled in soft, buttery slider buns, these sliders bring together classic flavors in a deliciously easy recipe. Ideal for game days, family gatherings, or casual dinners, they come together in less than an hour and make a perfect addition to any table.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 12 Hawaiian rolls or slider buns
• 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
• 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup ranch dressing
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven:
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
   
2. Assemble the Sliders:
   Without separating the rolls, slice them in half horizontally. Place the bottom halves on the prepared baking sheet.
   
3. Layer Ingredients:
   Spread the shredded chicken evenly over the bottom layer of the rolls. Drizzle the ranch dressing over the chicken, then sprinkle the crumbled bacon and shredded cheddar cheese on top.
   
4. Add the Top Layer:
   Place the top half of the rolls over the fillings.
   
5. Brush with Butter Mixture:
   In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, dried parsley, and garlic powder. Brush the mixture generously over the tops of the rolls.
   
6. Bake:
   Cover the sliders with foil and bake for 10 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the tops are golden brown.
   
7. Serve:
   Remove from the oven and let cool for a couple of minutes. Slice into individual sliders and serve warm.

Notes

• Make It Spicy: Add a drizzle of hot sauce or sprinkle some pepper jack cheese for a spicy twist.