BBQ Chicken Sliders with Tangy Slaw (Printable)

Tender pulled BBQ chicken paired with crunchy cabbage slaw on toasted mini buns. Ideal for entertaining.

# What You Need:

→ Pulled BBQ Chicken

01 - 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
02 - 1 cup barbecue sauce, plus extra for serving
03 - 1/2 cup chicken broth
04 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
05 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
08 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Cabbage Slaw

09 - 2 cups shredded green cabbage
10 - 1 cup shredded red cabbage
11 - 1/2 cup shredded carrots
12 - 1/4 cup mayonnaise
13 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
14 - 1 teaspoon honey
15 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Assembly

16 - 12 mini slider buns
17 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, optional for toasting

# Directions:

01 - In a large pot or slow cooker, combine chicken, barbecue sauce, chicken broth, olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Cook over medium heat for 25 to 30 minutes, or on high in a slow cooker until chicken is cooked through and tender. Remove chicken and shred using two forks, then return to sauce and simmer for 5 minutes to absorb flavors.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper. Add shredded green cabbage, red cabbage, and carrots. Toss until evenly coated and set aside.
03 - Brush slider buns with melted butter and toast in a skillet or oven until golden and lightly crispy.
04 - Place a generous spoonful of pulled BBQ chicken on the bottom half of each bun. Top with a scoop of cabbage slaw. Cover with the bun top and serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • They come together in under an hour but taste like you've been slow cooking all afternoon.
  • The slaw adds a crisp, tangy bite that balances the sweetness of the sauce perfectly.
  • They're easy to scale up or down depending on how many mouths you're feeding.
  • Everyone gets their own perfectly portioned sandwich, no messy cutting or sharing required.
02 -
  • Don't skip shredding the chicken while it's still hot, it falls apart so much easier and absorbs more sauce.
  • Make the slaw at least 10 minutes ahead so the flavors have time to meld, but don't let it sit too long or it'll get watery.
  • If you're using a slow cooker, keep it on high for faster results or low if you have a few extra hours to spare.
03 -
  • Press the buns down gently after assembling so the slaw and chicken meld together, but not so hard that everything squishes out the sides.
  • If you're making these ahead, keep the chicken, slaw, and buns separate until just before serving to avoid soggy bottoms.
  • A pinch of celery seed in the slaw adds an unexpected layer of flavor that people can't quite place but always love.
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