Alabama White BBQ Chicken Slider Bake Tips, FAQ & printable recipe

Tips for success

For the best texture, don’t skip the rest step. It allows the cheese to firm up just enough that the sliders don’t fall apart when you lift them.

If you’re making these ahead, assemble the dish completely but hold the garlic butter until just before baking. You can also double the recipe and bake in two dishes, or use a larger baking sheet if you have more rolls.

To make your own white barbecue sauce, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon prepared horseradish, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.

Let it sit for at least 30 minutes to meld. This sauce keeps in the fridge for up to a week, so you can make it ahead. For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne or a few dashes of hot sauce.

Variations

• Spicy Kick: Add 1-2 tablespoons of hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the white barbecue sauce for extra heat. You can also sprinkle sliced jalapeños over the cheese before baking.
• Smoky Twist: Replace half of the white barbecue sauce with a smoky red barbecue sauce for a dual-sauce flavor. Or add 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika to the chicken mixture.
• Cheese Swap: Use smoked provolone or Gouda instead of regular provolone for a deeper, smokier flavor. Or mix provolone with mozzarella for extra stretch.
• Add Veggies: Sauté sliced onions or bell peppers and layer them under the cheese. Or add a handful of fresh spinach to the chicken mixture for extra color and moisture.

Storage and make-ahead

Fridge

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven to maintain crispness.

Freezer

Freeze the assembled, unbaked sliders (without garlic butter) for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then pour garlic butter over and bake.

Reheat

Reheat individual sliders in a toaster oven or oven at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes. Avoid microwaving to keep the rolls from becoming soggy.

Store leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them on a baking sheet and warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the rolls soggy.

You can assemble the sliders up to 24 hours ahead. Prepare the dish as directed, but do not pour the garlic butter over the top. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate.

When ready to bake, let the dish sit at room temperature for 20 minutes, then pour the garlic butter over and bake as directed, adding 5-10 minutes to the baking time if needed.

Serving ideas

Serve the slider bake straight from the dish while it’s warm, with extra white barbecue sauce on the side for dipping.

The sliders are hearty enough to be a main course, but they also work well as part of a spread with coleslaw, pickles, and potato salad. For a weeknight dinner, pair them with a simple green salad or roasted vegetables.

These sliders are best enjoyed fresh from the oven, when the cheese is stretchy and the tops are crisp. If you’re serving a crowd, you can keep the dish warm in a low oven (200°F) for up to 30 minutes, but cover loosely with foil to prevent over-browning. Pull them apart at the table for a fun, communal meal.

Frequently asked questions

Recipe card

Alabama White BBQ Chicken Slider Bake

Prep 15 minCook 25 minRest 5 minTotal 45 minServes 12

Ingredients

• 12 slider rolls
• 3 cups shredded cooked chicken
• 1 cup white barbecue sauce
• 8 oz provolone cheese, sliced
• 1/2 cup garlic butter, melted

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Slice the slider rolls in half horizontally, keeping the bottom slab intact. Place the bottom half in a large rectangular baking dish. In a medium bowl, stir together the shredded cooked chicken and white barbecue sauce until the chicken is evenly coated. Spread the chicken mixture over the bottom layer of rolls.
2. Layer the provolone slices evenly over the chicken, covering the surface completely. The cheese should tile across the filling, leaving no gaps.
3. Place the top half of the rolls over the cheese, pressing gently to set. In a small bowl, warm the garlic butter until melted if not already liquid. Pour the garlic butter evenly over the tops of the rolls, using a spoon or brush to spread it across the surface so every roll is coated.
4. Bake the sliders uncovered at 350°F (175°C) for 20 to 25 minutes, until the tops are golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. If the tops brown too quickly, tent loosely with foil for the last 5 minutes.
5. Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. This allows the cheese to set slightly and makes the sliders easier to pull apart. Use a spatula to lift individual sliders from the dish, pulling them apart gently. Serve warm.

Contains: gluten, milk

Estimated nutrition per serving

Calories

410

Protein

24 g

Carbohydrates

32 g

Fat

22 g

Automatic estimate from the ingredient list, not laboratory-verified.