Hot honey chicken sliders are loaded with tender chicken, smoky bacon, creamy ranch and plenty of melted cheddar cheese. If you love the flavors in my baked chicken bacon ranch tacos, these buttery Hawaiian-roll sliders are another easy recipe you need to try.
Everything is layered inside soft Hawaiian rolls, brushed with garlic-Parmesan butter and baked until hot, golden and irresistibly gooey. The drizzle of hot honey creates the perfect balance of sweet, spicy and savory flavors. For another fun variation, try my homemade chicken bacon ranch hot pockets.
These baked chicken sliders are perfect for football parties, holiday gatherings or an easy family dinner. Serve them alongside my five-layer loaded crack chicken dip for game day, or visit my collection of easy chicken dinner recipes for more family-friendly meal ideas.
More Chicken Bacon Ranch Recipes You’ll Love
Why You’ll Love These Hot Honey Chicken Sliders
There is a lot to love about an easy baked slider recipe—especially when bacon, ranch and hot honey are involved.
- Quick and easy to assemble
- Uses convenient cooked or rotisserie chicken
- Makes 12 sliders in one baking dish
- Perfect for parties and game-day spreads
- Easy to prepare ahead of time
- Sweet, spicy, cheesy and buttery
- Filling enough to serve as a casual dinner
What Does Hot Honey Taste Like?
Hot honey combines the sweetness of regular honey with the slow-building heat of chili peppers. It tastes sweet at first, followed by a pleasant spicy finish.
Combined with creamy ranch, smoky bacon and buttery Hawaiian rolls, the hot honey adds just enough heat without overwhelming the other flavors. You can also control the spice level by using more or less hot honey.
Ingredients for Hot Honey Chicken Sliders
Hawaiian rolls
The subtle sweetness of Hawaiian rolls balances the savory bacon, ranch and cheese. Keep the rolls connected so you can assemble and bake all 12 sliders at once.
Cooked chicken
Shredded rotisserie chicken makes this recipe especially quick. Leftover baked, grilled or slow-cooker chicken will also work.
Bacon
Cook the bacon until crisp and crumble it before adding it to the sliders. The smoky, salty flavor is especially good with the hot honey.
Ranch dressing
Ranch keeps the chicken moist and adds a creamy, tangy flavor. Use a thick, good-quality ranch dressing so the bottoms of the sliders do not become soggy.
Cheddar cheese
Sharp cheddar gives these sliders plenty of flavor. Sliced cheese also creates an even layer that helps hold the filling inside the rolls.
Hot honey
Use your favorite bottled hot honey or make a quick version with regular honey and crushed red pepper flakes.
Garlic-Parmesan butter
Melted butter mixed with Parmesan, garlic powder and dried parsley creates a flavorful golden topping.
How to Make Hot Honey Chicken Sliders
1. Prepare the rolls
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Without pulling the individual rolls apart, use a long serrated knife to cut the entire package horizontally. Place the bottom half of the rolls in the prepared baking dish.
2. Make the chicken filling
Combine the shredded chicken, ranch dressing, crumbled bacon and half of the hot honey in a mixing bowl. Stir until the chicken is evenly coated.
3. Assemble the sliders
Place half of the cheddar cheese over the bottom layer of rolls. Spread the chicken mixture evenly over the cheese.
Add the remaining cheddar, then drizzle a little more hot honey over the filling. Place the top half of the rolls over everything.
4. Add the buttery topping
Combine the melted butter, Parmesan, garlic powder and parsley. Brush the mixture generously over the tops of the rolls.
5. Bake
Cover the baking dish loosely with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 7 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the tops are golden brown.
Allow the sliders to rest for about 5 minutes. Drizzle with additional hot honey, slice and serve warm.
Tips for the Best Baked Chicken Sliders
- Use sliced cheese: It melts evenly and creates a barrier that helps keep the bottoms of the rolls from becoming soggy.
- Drain the chicken: If your cooked chicken contains excess liquid, drain it before mixing in the ranch.
- Do not separate the rolls: Cutting the entire slab in half makes assembly faster and keeps the filling evenly distributed.
- Cover the sliders first: Foil allows the filling to heat and the cheese to melt without overbrowning the rolls.
- Add the final hot honey drizzle after baking: This makes the flavor more noticeable and gives the sliders a glossy finish.
- Let them rest: Waiting five minutes before cutting makes the sliders easier to separate without losing the filling.
Make It Your Own
These hot honey chicken sliders are easy to adjust using ingredients you already have.
- Replace cheddar with pepper Jack for additional heat.
- Use mozzarella or provolone for an extra-gooey cheese pull.
- Add thinly sliced dill pickles for a tangy crunch.
- Mix diced jalapeños into the chicken filling.
- Substitute cooked turkey for the chicken.
- Add thinly sliced red onion beneath the cheese.
- Replace ranch dressing with hot honey ranch.
- Use breaded chicken tenders instead of shredded chicken for crispy chicken sliders.
- Leave out the bacon for a simpler hot honey chicken version.
How to Make Homemade Hot Honey
If you do not have bottled hot honey, combine:
- ¼ cup honey
- ½ to 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce, optional
Warm the mixture in the microwave for approximately 15 seconds, stir and let it sit for several minutes. The longer the pepper flakes remain in the honey, the spicier it will become.
What to Serve with Hot Honey Chicken Sliders
Serve these sliders as part of a game-day spread with:
For a simple dinner, pair the sliders with a green salad, roasted vegetables or a bowl of soup.
PrintHot Honey Chicken Sliders with Bacon and Ranch
These hot honey chicken sliders are packed with shredded chicken, crispy bacon, creamy ranch and melted cheddar cheese. Baked on soft Hawaiian rolls with garlic-Parmesan butter, they make an easy sweet-and-spicy appetizer, game-day snack or family dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 SLIDERS 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Hot Honey Chicken Sliders
- 1 package Hawaiian sweet rolls, 12 count
- 2½ cups cooked shredded chicken
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- ⅓ cup thick ranch dressing
- ¼ cup hot honey, divided, plus more for serving
- 12 slices sharp cheddar cheese, divided
Garlic-Parmesan Butter
- 4 tablespoons salted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Keep the Hawaiian rolls connected. Use a long serrated knife to slice the entire package horizontally through the center.
- Place the bottom half of the rolls in the prepared baking dish.
- Add the shredded chicken, crumbled bacon, ranch dressing and 2 tablespoons of hot honey to a large mixing bowl. Stir until the chicken is evenly coated.
- Arrange six slices of cheddar cheese over the bottom half of the Hawaiian rolls.
- Spread the chicken mixture evenly over the cheese. Drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons of hot honey over the chicken.
- Arrange the remaining six slices of cheddar over the chicken filling.
- Place the top half of the rolls over the cheese.
- Combine the melted butter, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, dried parsley and onion powder in a small bowl.
- Brush the garlic-Parmesan butter evenly over the tops of the rolls.
- Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil. Bake for 15 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for another 7 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the tops of the rolls are golden brown.
- Let the sliders rest for 5 minutes. Drizzle with additional hot honey, separate into individual sliders and serve warm.
Notes
- Rotisserie chicken makes this recipe especially quick and easy.
- Use thick ranch dressing to prevent the bottoms of the sliders from becoming soggy.
- Adjust the amount of hot honey to control the spice level.
- Pepper Jack can replace some or all of the cheddar for additional heat.
- Add thinly sliced dill pickles for a tangy crunch.
- Assemble the sliders several hours ahead, cover and refrigerate. Add the garlic butter immediately before baking.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
- Reheat the sliders covered in a 325°F oven until warmed through. Uncover them during the final few minutes.
Can You Prepare Chicken Sliders Ahead of Time?
You can assemble the sliders several hours before baking. Cover the baking dish tightly and refrigerate it until needed.
For the best texture, wait to brush the rolls with garlic butter until shortly before baking. Allow the baking dish to sit at room temperature while the oven preheats. Cold sliders may need an additional three to five minutes in the oven.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Place leftover sliders in an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to three days.
For the best results, reheat the sliders in a 325°F oven or covered countertop oven until warmed through. Uncover them during the final few minutes to lightly crisp the tops.
The microwave also works for individual servings, although the rolls will be softer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are hot honey chicken sliders very spicy?
The sliders have mild to moderate heat, depending on the hot honey you use. Reduce the amount for milder sliders or add sliced jalapeños and additional hot honey for more heat.
Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Yes. Rotisserie chicken is one of the easiest options for this recipe. You will need approximately 2½ cups of shredded chicken.
Can I use chicken tenders?
Yes. Cook breaded chicken tenders according to the package directions, then place one piece over each roll. Add the bacon, ranch, cheese and hot honey before baking.
How do I prevent Hawaiian-roll sliders from becoming soggy?
Avoid using watery chicken or too much dressing. Placing cheese directly over the bottom rolls also creates a barrier between the bread and the chicken filling.
Can I make these sliders without bacon?
Yes. Simply leave out the bacon or replace it with turkey bacon. The hot honey chicken and ranch filling will still have plenty of flavor.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes. Prepare two packages of rolls in separate 9×13-inch baking dishes. This is a convenient option for larger football parties and holiday gatherings.
Final Thoughts
These hot honey chicken sliders with bacon and ranch have everything you want in a party recipe: buttery rolls, creamy chicken, crisp bacon, melted cheese and a sticky drizzle of sweet heat.
They are easy enough for a weeknight dinner but indulgent enough to earn a spot on your game-day menu. Just be prepared to make another batch because these cheesy Hawaiian-roll sliders tend to disappear quickly.
