Buffalo Chicken Pizza Dip Sliders

The first time I brought these to a Super Bowl party, my friend Sarah literally guarded the platter with her life. Someone asked for the recipe and she pretended not to hear them because she wanted leftovers all to herself. Now whenever I walk in with that familiar baking dish, the whole room perks up like they can smell the magic happening.

My teenage son stumbled into the kitchen last weekend when I was testing a batch and hovered around the oven like a shark. He claimed he was just checking if they were done but I caught him sneaking a slider the second I turned my back. The boy who usually complains about spicy things ate three in a row and asked when I was making them again.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked shredded chicken: Rotisserie chicken works perfectly here and saves so much time but you can also poach chicken breasts if you prefer
• 1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce: Franks RedHot is my go to but any quality wing sauce will give you that classic tangy heat everyone loves
• 4 oz cream cheese softened: Make sure its really soft so it blends smoothly into the sauce without any lumps
• 1/2 cup ranch dressing: Blue cheese dressing works beautifully too if you want to lean into that classic wing flavor combo
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese: Freshly shredded melts better than the pre shredded bags which have anti caking agents
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese: Adds that extra sharp cheesy flavor that balances the richness
• 12 slider buns or Hawaiian rolls: Hawaiian rolls bring a subtle sweetness that pairs amazingly with the spicy buffalo sauce
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter melted: Brushing the tops with garlic butter creates that golden crust that makes these look as good as they taste
• 1 tsp garlic powder: Mix this into your melted butter for that restaurant style garlic bread flavor on top
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives: Add these right after baking for a fresh pop of color and mild onion flavor
• 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese: Totally optional but blue cheese lovers will thank you for adding this extra layer
• 1/4 cup sliced pickled jalapeños: Perfect for guests who want to kick up the heat even more

Instructions

Prepare your oven and station:

Preheat to 350F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup later

Mix the buffalo chicken filling:

Combine shredded chicken buffalo sauce cream cheese and ranch in a bowl until completely smooth and creamy

Build the slider base:

Arrange bottom bun halves tightly together on your prepared baking sheet so they stay snug during baking

Layer on the good stuff:

Spread that buffalo chicken mixture evenly over all the buns then sprinkle with mozzarella and cheddar

Add any extras:

Sprinkle crumbled blue cheese or jalapeños now if you are using them for extra flavor

Top and brush:

Place the top bun halves over the cheese and brush generously with melted butter mixed with garlic powder

Bake covered first:

Cover loosely with foil and bake for 15 minutes so everything heats through and cheese starts melting

Get them golden:

Remove foil and bake another 8 to 10 minutes until the tops are beautifully golden brown

Finish and serve:

Let them cool for 5 minutes then sprinkle with fresh chives before pulling apart and serving warm

Save

Last Thanksgiving my aunt who claims to hate anything spicy took one bite and her eyes lit up. She ended up eating three sliders and taking the recipe home on a actual piece of notebook paper. Now every family gathering she texts me days ahead asking if I am bringing those buffalo things.

Make Ahead Magic

You can assemble these sliders completely a few hours before baking and keep them covered in the refrigerator. Just add a couple extra minutes to the baking time since they will be cold going into the oven. The garlic butter might need a quick warm up so it spreads easily.

Customization Ideas

Swap the chicken for cooked shredded pork or even plant based chicken alternatives. Try pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar for extra spice or add crispy bacon bits on top of the cheese layer. The base formula is so forgiving you can really make it your own.

Serving Suggestions

These disappear fast so I always make extra for the inevitable second wave of hungry guests. Set out small bowls of extra ranch and blue cheese dressing for dipping.

• Celery sticks on the side help cool down the heat for sensitive palates
• Cold beer or ranch based cocktails pair perfectly with the spicy flavors
• Cut them in half if you are serving a large crowd so everyone gets to try

Save

These sliders have officially become the most requested thing I make and honestly I do not mind one bit. Watching peoples faces when they take that first bite never gets old.

Recipe Q&A

→ Can I make these sliders ahead of time?

Yes! Assemble the sliders completely and refrigerate for a few hours before baking. Add the garlic butter just before popping them in the oven.

→ What's the best way to shred the chicken?

Use rotisserie chicken for convenience, or poach boneless chicken breasts until cooked through. Two forks make quick work of shredding the meat.

→ Can I adjust the spice level?

Absolutely! Reduce the buffalo sauce or increase the ranch dressing for milder heat. Add extra jalapeños or hot sauce if you prefer more kick.

→ What type of buns work best?

Hawaiian rolls add subtle sweetness that balances the spicy filling. Standard slider buns or dinner rolls also work perfectly.

→ Can I freeze these buffalo chicken sliders?

Assemble unbaked sliders and freeze tightly wrapped. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then add garlic butter and bake as directed.