4th of July BBQ Chicken Sliders (Printable)

Tender shredded BBQ chicken on slider buns, topped with fresh tangy coleslaw for summer gatherings.

# What You'll Need:

→ For the BBQ Chicken

01 - 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 cup BBQ sauce
03 - 0.5 cup chicken broth
04 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
05 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
08 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ For the Coleslaw

09 - 3 cups shredded green cabbage
10 - 1 cup shredded red cabbage
11 - 1 medium carrot, grated
12 - 0.25 cup mayonnaise
13 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
14 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
15 - 1 teaspoon honey
16 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ For Assembly

17 - 8 slider buns
18 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

# How To Make It:

01 - Season chicken breasts with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken breasts and sear 2 to 3 minutes per side until lightly browned.
02 - Add chicken broth and BBQ sauce to the skillet. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 15 to 18 minutes until chicken is cooked through and tender.
03 - Remove chicken from skillet and shred using two forks. Return shredded chicken to the skillet and toss with sauce. Simmer uncovered for 3 to 5 minutes until sauce thickens.
04 - In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper until well combined.
05 - Add shredded green and red cabbage and grated carrot to the dressing. Toss well to coat evenly and set aside.
06 - Brush slider buns with melted butter. Toast in a skillet or under the broiler until golden brown.
07 - Place a generous scoop of BBQ chicken on each bottom bun. Top with a heap of coleslaw and cover with the top bun. Serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The chicken gets impossibly tender and soaked in smoky sauce without any fussy techniques or babysitting.
  • Coleslaw adds a bright, crunchy contrast that keeps these from feeling heavy even when you eat three in a row.
  • Everything comes together in under an hour, which means you can actually enjoy your guests instead of being stuck at the stove.
02 -
  • Don't skip the uncovered simmer at the end of cooking the chicken—it's what transforms a saucy, sloppy filling into something that actually holds together on a slider bun.
  • Make the coleslaw dressing separately from the vegetables; if you let them sit together for too long before serving, the cabbage releases water and the whole thing gets watered down.
03 -
  • If you want extra smokiness without changing the whole sauce, add a small dash of liquid smoke or use chipotle BBQ sauce instead of your regular brand.
  • Rotisserie chicken from the grocery store works perfectly if you're short on time—just shred it and warm it gently in the sauce for 5 minutes.
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