4th of July BBQ Chicken Sliders (Printer-friendly)

Tender BBQ chicken served on soft buns with crisp coleslaw, perfect for festive summer meals.

# Required Ingredients:

→ 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

→ 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

→ Assembly

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

# How-To Steps:

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 2-3 minutes per side until lightly browned.
02 - Add chicken broth and BBQ sauce to the skillet. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 15-18 minutes until chicken is cooked through and tender.
03 - Remove chicken from skillet and shred with two forks. Return shredded chicken to the skillet, toss with sauce, and simmer uncovered for 3-5 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 cabbage, red cabbage, and grated carrot to the dressing. Toss thoroughly 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, cover with the top bun, and serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The coleslaw adds a bright, tangy crunch that cuts through the richness of the BBQ sauce in the most satisfying way.
  • These come together faster than you'd expect, leaving you time to actually enjoy the party instead of being stuck in the kitchen.
  • Everyone gravitates toward the slider platter, so you'll definitely feel the love for bringing them.
02 -
  • Don't skip covering the skillet during the simmer—uncovered chicken dries out quickly, and you need that gentle steam to keep it tender and juicy.
  • Make the coleslaw at least 30 minutes before serving so the cabbage softens slightly and the flavors meld together, but don't make it more than a day ahead or it gets soggy.
03 -
  • Use rotisserie chicken if you're short on time—shred it and warm it directly in the BBQ sauce for 5 minutes, and no one will know you didn't make it from scratch.
  • If you love smoke, swap in chipotle BBQ sauce or add a tiny splash of liquid smoke to your sauce, but taste as you go so it doesn't overpower everything else.
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