I’m so excited to share my Sweet Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Sliders recipe with you! These little sandwiches bring together sticky sweet barbecue chicken, bright pineapple slaw, and soft sweet rolls for a perfect party bite or easy weeknight meal.
Level: Easy
Total Time: 30 minutes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 12 sliders
Course: Appetizer, Lunch, Dinner
Cuisine: American with Hawaiian flair
I started making these sliders when I wanted something fun for a potluck that was still simple to pull together. They are built from three easy parts. First you make tender shredded chicken tossed in barbecue sauce, honey, and pineapple juice. Then you pile the chicken onto soft Hawaiian rolls and top it with quick pineapple slaw for crunch and brightness. Finally you toast the bun insides with a little mayo so everything is warm and just a bit crisp.
What I love about this recipe is how little time it takes and how much flavor you get. You can cook the chicken on the stove, use a slow cooker, or shred a rotisserie bird to save time. These sliders are great for parties, game day, or a casual family dinner.
How to Make Sweet Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Sliders
This is the quick overview of how the sliders come together:
• Cook and shred the chicken so it is tender.
• Mix the chicken with barbecue sauce, honey, and pineapple juice until sticky and well coated.
• Stir together the pineapple slaw so it is ready for topping.
• Toast the cut sides of the Hawaiian rolls with a little mayo for extra crispness.
• Build each slider by adding BBQ chicken to the bottom roll, topping with pineapple slaw, and closing with the top roll.
Ingredients
• 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 to 1 1/2 pounds)
• 1 1/4 cups barbecue sauce (your favorite brand)
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup pineapple juice (from canned pineapple or fresh)
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise (for toasting buns and optional slaw base)
• 12 Hawaiian slider buns or small sweet rolls
• 2 cups bagged coleslaw mix or shredded cabbage and carrots
• 1 cup drained canned crushed or diced pineapple, chopped small
• 1 to 2 tablespoons lime juice or apple cider vinegar for slaw (to taste)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional add ons: sliced jalapenos, sliced cheese such as cheddar or pepper jack, crispy bacon
Directions
- Prepare the chicken: place chicken breasts in a medium pot and cover with water. Bring to a simmer and cook until the chicken is cooked through and tender, about 12 to 18 minutes depending on thickness. Drain and place hot chicken in a bowl.
- Shred the chicken: using two forks, shredding claws, or a hand mixer on low, shred the chicken into bite sized pieces.
- Make the BBQ chicken filling: in the same bowl with shredded chicken add the barbecue sauce, honey, and pineapple juice. Stir well so the chicken is evenly coated. Taste and add a pinch of salt or more barbecue sauce if you want it saucier. Keep warm.
- Make the pineapple slaw: in a small bowl combine the coleslaw mix, drained pineapple, 2 to 3 tablespoons mayonnaise, and 1 tablespoon lime juice or vinegar. Stir and season with salt and pepper. Taste and adjust acidity or mayo amount to your liking. Set aside in the fridge until ready to serve.
- Toast the buns: spread a little mayonnaise on the cut sides of each Hawaiian roll. Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat and grill the mayo side down until golden and slightly crisp, about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Assemble sliders: place a spoonful of the BBQ chicken on the bottom half of each bun, top with pineapple slaw, add any optional toppings, and close with the top bun. Serve immediately.
Process Details
• Cooking the chicken: simmering the chicken gently in water keeps it moist and makes shredding easy. If you use a slow cooker or rotisserie chicken, add it at the mixing step.
• Balancing sweet and tangy: the barbecue sauce and honey give the chicken sweetness while pineapple juice adds bright fruit flavor. The slaw with lime cuts the richness so the slider feels fresh.
• Toasting the buns: spreading a thin layer of mayonnaise on the inside before toasting gives a golden crisp edge and a little extra flavor. You can use butter instead if you prefer.
• Make ahead options: you can make the chicken filling earlier in the day and reheat it gently before assembling. Keep slaw chilled until serving to preserve crunch.
Tips for Success
• Shred while hot: shredding chicken while it is still warm is much faster and gives a better texture.
• Taste as you go: barbecue sauces vary. Start with the amounts listed and add more sauce or honey to match your sweetness preference.
• Keep slaw crunchy: make the slaw just before serving if you want maximum crispness. If you must make it ahead, add the pineapple right before serving.
• Heat evenly: if you reheat the chicken filling in a microwave, stir every 30 seconds so the sauce warms through evenly. On the stove reheat over low heat with a splash of water if it becomes too thick.
• Slider size: these work well as small party sliders. For larger sandwiches double the portion per roll or use regular buns.
Serving Ideas
• Party platter: serve a stack of sliders with toothpicks and bowls of extra slaw and pickles on the side.
• Classic sides: pair with potato salad, baked beans, or fries for a full meal.
• Game day tray: add other finger foods like mini garlic pizzas, wings, and dips.
• Lighter plate: serve two sliders with a green salad or cucumber salad for a lighter dinner.
Storage & Freezing
• Refrigerator: store the cooked BBQ chicken filling and the slaw separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days. Keep the buns in a sealed bag at room temperature. Do not store assembled sliders as they will get soggy.
• Freezing: you can freeze the cooked BBQ chicken filling in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. Do not freeze the slaw or the buns.
• Reheating: reheat the filling on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally, or microwave in short intervals. Warm buns in the oven at 300 degrees F for 5 to 7 minutes wrapped in foil.
Nutrition Info (Approximate per slider)
• Calories: about 280
• Protein: 18 g
• Carbohydrates: 26 g
• Fat: 10 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Sugar: 10 g
This is an estimate and will vary with the exact ingredients and portion sizes you use.
Sweet Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Sliders are an easy and fun way to bring tropical flavor to your table. I love how fast they come together and how the pineapple slaw brightens the rich barbecue chicken. They are perfect for gatherings or a casual family dinner. If you make them, I hope they become a new favorite for your next party or weeknight meal.
