Easy Honey Mustard BLT Chicken Sliders

Finding crowd-pleasing party food that’s both easy to make and satisfying can feel like an impossible task. Between juggling different dietary preferences and trying to avoid spending hours in the kitchen, it’s tempting to just order takeout and call it a day. That’s especially true when you’re planning for game day or hosting a casual get-together with friends.

These honey mustard BLT chicken sliders are the answer to your entertaining needs: they’re quick to put together, perfect for feeding a group, and combine familiar flavors that everyone loves into one delicious handheld package.

What Kind of Chicken Should I Use?

While this recipe calls for chicken tenders, you’ve got some flexibility here with your choice of chicken cuts. Chicken tenders are great because they’re already portioned perfectly for sliders, but you can absolutely use boneless chicken breast or thigh meat instead. If you’re using chicken breast, just slice it into strips about the same size as tenders, or if you’re going with thighs, trim them into slider-sized pieces. Whichever cut you choose, make sure your chicken pieces are roughly the same thickness so they cook evenly – if using breast meat, you might want to give them a quick pound with a meat mallet to even them out.

Options for Substitutions

These sliders are pretty adaptable – here are some easy swaps you can make:

• Chicken tenders: You can easily use chicken breast cut into strips, or boneless thighs work great too. If you’re looking to make it vegetarian, try using grilled portobello mushrooms or crispy breaded cauliflower steaks.
• Hawaiian rolls: Any soft dinner rolls or slider buns will work here. Brioche buns give a nice buttery taste, or try whole wheat rolls for a healthier option.
• Colby Jack cheese: Feel free to use any melty cheese you like – cheddar, provolone, or pepper jack are all good choices. For a dairy-free version, try dairy-free cheese slices.
• Honey mustard: You can make your own by mixing equal parts honey and Dijon mustard, or use any mustard-based sauce you prefer. BBQ sauce works too!
• Bacon: Turkey bacon works great for a lighter option. For a vegetarian version, try tempeh bacon or even crispy fried onions for that crunchy element.
• Spice blend: Don’t have all the spices listed? A tablespoon of cajun seasoning or blackened seasoning mix will work as a quick substitute for the spice mixture.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest mistake when making chicken sliders is overcrowding the pan when cooking the chicken, which leads to steaming instead of getting that perfect golden-brown crust – work in batches if needed and make sure there’s enough space between each piece. Another common error is not patting the chicken dry before seasoning, which prevents the spices from sticking properly and can make the coating soggy, so take an extra minute to dry your chicken with paper towels. To keep your sliders from getting soggy, avoid assembling them too far in advance and consider placing lettuce on both the top and bottom buns to create a barrier between the bread and wet ingredients. For the best texture, toast your buns lightly with the garlic butter mixture, and let the cooked chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing to keep all those tasty juices locked in.

What to Serve With Chicken Sliders?

These honey mustard chicken sliders are perfect for casual gatherings and pair wonderfully with classic cookout sides. French fries or sweet potato fries are always crowd-pleasers, and they taste great dipped in extra honey mustard sauce from the sliders. For a lighter option, a simple coleslaw adds a nice crunch and helps cut through the richness of the bacon and cheese. I also love serving these with a bowl of crispy kettle chips or a fresh corn and black bean salad during summer months – both options are super easy and let the sliders stay in the spotlight.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: These sliders are best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, wrap them individually in foil or place them in an airtight container. Keep them in the fridge for up to 2 days. Pro tip: store the lettuce and tomatoes separately to prevent the buns from getting soggy!

Prep Ahead: Want to save time? Cook the chicken and bacon up to 2 days ahead and store them in the fridge. You can also mix the seasoning blend and prepare the garlic butter in advance. When you’re ready to serve, just assemble your sliders with fresh veggies for the best taste.

Warm Up: To enjoy leftover sliders, remove the cold toppings first. Wrap the sliders in foil and warm them in a 350°F oven for about 8-10 minutes, or until heated through. Add fresh lettuce and tomato before serving for that perfect crunch!

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	15-20 minutes
Total Time	25-35 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 3000-3500
• Protein: 180-210 g
• Fat: 180-210 g
• Carbohydrates: 150-200 g

Ingredients

• 2 pounds chicken tenders (boneless breast or thigh can be used)
• 1 package hawaiian rolls or dinner buns
• Mayonnaise to preference
• Honey mustard or sweet baby rays golden mustard
• 8 crispy bacon strips
• Slices of colby jack cheese (sufficient for the sandwiches)
• 1/2 head of lettuce
• 1/2 small red onion (thinly sliced)
• 2 roma tomatoes (thinly sliced)
• 4-5 tablespoons oil for marinating and cooking chicken
• 2 tablespoons of either smoked or regular paprika
• 1 tablespoon cayenne
• 1 tablespoon of onion powder
• 2 teaspoons of garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon thyme (dried)
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano (dried)
• 1/2 stick softened butter
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Step 1: Prepare and Season the Chicken

Place chicken tenders into a large zip-top bag or a bowl.

Add several tablespoons of blackened seasoning and a few tablespoons of oil.

Mix them to ensure each piece is evenly coated and well-seasoned on all sides.

This step infuses the chicken with a rich flavor.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

Cook the seasoned chicken tenders either in an oiled skillet over medium-high heat or on a grill.

Cook for about 3 minutes per side, flipping just once, until the tenders are cooked through and develop a nice crust on the outside.

Step 3: Prepare the Butter Topping

As the chicken cooks, make your butter topping by combining all the butter mixture ingredients in a small bowl.

Heat the mixture for 30 seconds until the butter melts, then stir to combine.

This will serve as a rich topping for your sliders.

Step 4: Prepare and Toast the Slider Buns

Using a serrated knife, slice the sliders horizontally if they’re not pre-sliced.

Place them cut side up onto a baking sheet, and toast under a broiler for a few minutes until golden brown.

Flip the top buns so the domed tops face up and leave them beside the bottom buns on the pan.

Step 5: Assemble the Sliders

Begin assembling the sliders by adding a squeeze of mayo to all bottom buns.

Evenly distribute the cooked chicken tenders across the buns.

Add a dollop of golden honey mustard and place cheese slices over the chicken.

Step 6: Final Touch and Serve

Spread the prepared butter mixture over the top buns.

Place the baking sheet back into the broiler for another minute or two until the cheese softens and the top buns are slightly toasted.

Top the sliders with bacon, tomato slices, red onion, lettuce, and another drizzle of honey mustard.

Place the top buns over the sandwiches, slice to separate them, and serve warm.

Enjoy your delicious chicken sliders!