BBQ Pulled Chicken Sliders (Printable)

Tender BBQ chicken on sweet Hawaiian rolls, perfect for gatherings and easy meals.

# Ingredient List:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

→ Sauce & Seasonings

02 - 1 cup BBQ sauce, plus extra for serving
03 - 1/2 cup chicken broth
04 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 tbsp olive oil
07 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
09 - 1/2 tsp kosher salt

→ Slider Assembly

10 - 12 soft Hawaiian rolls, split
11 - 2 tbsp melted butter, for toasting rolls
12 - 1 cup coleslaw, store-bought or homemade

# How to Make:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F for optional roll toasting.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add chicken breasts to the skillet along with chicken broth, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Pour BBQ sauce over the top. Cover and simmer on low for 25-30 minutes until chicken is cooked through and easily shreds.
04 - Remove chicken from the skillet and shred using two forks. Return shredded chicken to the sauce and stir well to coat evenly.
05 - Arrange Hawaiian rolls on a baking sheet. Brush with melted butter and toast in the oven for 4-5 minutes until lightly golden.
06 - Spoon pulled chicken onto the bottom half of each roll. Top with coleslaw if desired and cover with the top bun.
07 - Serve warm with extra BBQ sauce on the side for dipping.

# Helpful Tips:

01 -
  • The Hawaiian rolls add just enough sweetness to balance the smoky BBQ, creating that perfect sweet-savory combo that makes everyone reach for seconds
  • You can make the chicken ahead of time and reheat it, which means less stress when guests arrive
02 -
  • Starting with cold chicken straight from the fridge means more time in the skillet—let it sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before cooking
  • The sauce will thicken as it cools, so don't worry if it looks thinner than you'd expect while simmering
03 -
  • A splash of apple cider vinegar in the sauce cuts through the sweetness of the rolls
  • Let the shredded chicken sit in the sauce for at least 5 minutes before serving so it really soaks up the flavor

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