Fried Chicken Sliders

Fried chicken sliders are the ultimate handheld comfort food. Crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside, these mini sandwiches are packed with flavor and perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a party, enjoying a game day snack, or looking for a quick family meal, fried chicken sliders hit the spot every time.

With soft slider buns, perfectly seasoned chicken, and optional toppings like pickles, spicy mayo, or coleslaw, each bite delivers a perfect balance of crunch and flavor. These sliders are easy to make at home and far more satisfying than store-bought options, giving you a restaurant-quality experience in your own kitchen.

Why You’ll Love Fried Chicken Sliders

• Bite-Sized Perfection: Small enough for parties or casual snacking, but satisfying enough for a meal.

• Crispy & Juicy: The golden fried coating contrasts perfectly with tender chicken inside.

• Customizable: Add sauces, pickles, coleslaw, or cheese to suit your taste.

• Quick & Easy: Ready in under 45 minutes with simple ingredients.

• Crowd-Pleaser: Loved by both kids and adults alike.

Equipment You’ll Need

• Deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot

• Wire rack or paper towels for draining

• Mixing bowls

• Whisk or fork

• Tongs or slotted spoon

• Knife and cutting board

• Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients List for Fried Chicken Sliders

For the Chicken:

• 1 lb (450g) chicken tenders or small boneless chicken breasts

• 1 cup buttermilk

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon paprika

• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Breading:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon black pepper

• 1 teaspoon paprika

• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for heat)

For Frying:

• 2–3 cups vegetable oil or canola oil

For Serving:

• Slider buns

• Pickles

• Mayonnaise, spicy mayo, or aioli

• Lettuce or coleslaw (optional)

Timing & Servings

• Prep Time: 15 minutes

• Cook Time: 15–20 minutes

• Total Time: 30–35 minutes

• Servings: 6–8 sliders

How to Make Fried Chicken Sliders

Step 1. Marinate the Chicken

1. In a bowl, combine buttermilk, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.

2. Add chicken pieces, ensuring they are fully coated.

3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes (or up to 2 hours for extra tenderness).

Step 2. Prepare the Breading

1. In a shallow dish, mix flour, salt, black pepper, paprika, and cayenne (if using).

2. Remove chicken from buttermilk, letting excess drip off.

3. Dredge each piece in the seasoned flour until fully coated.

Step 3. Fry the Chicken

1. Heat oil in a deep fryer or heavy pot to 350°F (175°C).

2. Carefully add chicken pieces to the hot oil without overcrowding.

3. Fry for 5–7 minutes, or until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

4. Remove chicken and drain on a wire rack or paper towels.

Step 4. Assemble the Sliders

1. Slice slider buns in half and toast lightly if desired.

2. Spread mayonnaise, aioli, or your favorite sauce on the bottom bun.

3. Add fried chicken, pickles, and optional lettuce or coleslaw.

4. Top with the other half of the bun and serve immediately.

Tips for Perfect Chicken Sliders

• Consistent Size: Use similar-sized chicken pieces to ensure even cooking.

• Don’t Overcrowd: Fry in batches to maintain oil temperature and crispiness.

• Extra Crunch: Double-dip in buttermilk and flour for an extra crispy coating.

• Flavor Boost: Add garlic powder, smoked paprika, or cayenne to the flour mix for more depth.

• Keep Warm: Place fried chicken on a wire rack in a 200°F oven while frying remaining pieces.

Variations to Try

• Buffalo Chicken Sliders: Toss fried chicken in buffalo sauce and top with blue cheese dressing.

• Honey Mustard Sliders: Drizzle honey mustard over chicken for a sweet and tangy twist.

• Cheese Lovers: Add a slice of cheddar, pepper jack, or American cheese to each slider.

• Spicy Sliders: Mix hot sauce or sriracha into mayo for extra heat.

• Mini Slider Party: Make smaller slider sizes for appetizer platters or cocktail parties.

Nutritional Facts (Approximate per slider)

• Calories: 250–280

• Protein: 18g

• Carbohydrates: 20g

• Fat: 12g

• Fiber: 1g

• Sugar: 2g

• Sodium: 500mg

Note: Nutritional values may vary depending on portion sizes and specific ingredients.

For relaxed snacking at home, try Pillsbury Biscuit Garlic Butter Cheese Bombs, Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon Bites, or Frozen Yogurt Bark with Berries.

Fried Chicken Sliders

Golden fried chicken nestled in soft slider buns, topped with pickles and sauce. Fried chicken sliders are easy, flavorful, and perfect for snacks, lunch, or party appetizers.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings: 8 people

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Calories: 250

Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients

  

For the Chicken:

• 1 lb 450g chicken tenders or small boneless chicken breasts
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Breading:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional for heat

For Frying:

• 2 –3 cups vegetable oil or canola oil

For Serving:

• Slider buns
• Pickles
• Mayonnaise spicy mayo, or aioli
• Lettuce or coleslaw optional

Equipment

• Deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot
• Wire rack or paper towels for draining
• Mixing bowls
• Whisk or fork
• Tongs or slotted spoon
• Knife and cutting board
• Measuring cups and spoons

Method

 

Marinate the Chicken

1. In a bowl, combine buttermilk, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
2. Add chicken pieces, ensuring they are fully coated.
3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes (or up to 2 hours for extra tenderness).

Prepare the Breading

1. In a shallow dish, mix flour, salt, black pepper, paprika, and cayenne (if using).
2. Remove chicken from buttermilk, letting excess drip off.
3. Dredge each piece in the seasoned flour until fully coated.

Fry the Chicken

1. Heat oil in a deep fryer or heavy pot to 350°F (175°C).
2. Carefully add chicken pieces to the hot oil without overcrowding.
3. Fry for 5–7 minutes, or until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
4. Remove chicken and drain on a wire rack or paper towels.

Assemble the Sliders

1. Slice slider buns in half and toast lightly if desired.
2. Spread mayonnaise, aioli, or your favorite sauce on the bottom bun.
3. Add fried chicken, pickles, and optional lettuce or coleslaw.
4. Top with the other half of the bun and serve immediately.

Conclusion

Fried chicken sliders are a crowd-pleasing, flavorful, and satisfying snack or meal that brings together crispy chicken, soft buns, and your favorite toppings. Perfect for game days, casual dinners, or parties, these sliders are easy to make, customizable, and sure to impress anyone at the table.

By following this simple recipe, you can achieve restaurant-quality chicken sliders at home—crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and bursting with flavor. Whether served with a side of fries, coleslaw, or dipping sauces, these sliders are guaranteed to become a family favorite.

Recipe FAQs

1- Can I use frozen chicken?

Yes, thaw completely before marinating and frying to ensure even cooking.

2- Can these sliders be baked instead of fried?

Absolutely, bake at 400°F for 20–25 minutes until golden and fully cooked.

3- How can I make them spicy?

Add cayenne to the breading or toss fried chicken in hot sauce.

4- Can I make these ahead of time?

You can prep chicken and buns ahead, but fry just before serving for maximum crispiness.

5- What sauces go well with fried chicken sliders?

Mayo, spicy mayo, aioli, honey mustard, ranch, or BBQ sauce are all excellent choices.

6- Are these suitable for kids?

Yes, they can be made mild and are typically a hit with kids.