Description
These irresistible Bang Bang Chicken Sliders feature tender shredded chicken in a sweet-spicy sauce, nestled between pretzel buns with melted mozzarella for the perfect party food or weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 3 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
- ½ cup ketchup
- ½ cup Sriracha chili sauce
- ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons honey (divided)
- ½ cup water
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 teaspoons grated lime zest
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 12 mini pretzel buns (split)
- 12 slices part-skim mozzarella cheese (halved)
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Coarse salt (optional)
- 2 green onions (chopped)
- 1 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons Sriracha chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in Dutch oven over medium heat. Brown chicken thighs for 5 minutes, turning once for even color.
- Combine ketchup, chili sauce, ½ cup honey, water, lime juice, lime zest, garlic, ginger, and pepper in a bowl. Pour mixture over browned chicken.
- Bring sauce to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is tender.
- Remove chicken from pot. Simmer remaining sauce for 5 minutes until thickened. Shred chicken with two forks and toss with reduced sauce.
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Arrange bottom buns in greased baking dish. Place half cheese slice on each bun, add chicken mixture, then top with remaining cheese and bun tops.
- Mix remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons honey, and red pepper flakes. Brush over bun tops and sprinkle with coarse salt if desired.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes until tops are golden and cheese melts. Garnish with chopped green onions.
- Prepare dipping sauce by whisking together mayonnaise, Sriracha, and lime juice. Serve alongside warm sliders.
Notes
- Chicken thighs are essential for this recipe – they stay moist and flavorful unlike breast meat which dries out
- The sauce will seem thin at first but thickens significantly during the reduction process
- Pretzel buns hold up better than regular buns but Hawaiian rolls make a sweeter alternative
- Adjust sriracha amount based on heat preference – start with less for milder palates
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop and Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 385
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: spicy chicken sliders, pretzel bun sliders, party appetizers, game day food, shredded chicken sandwiches, sriracha chicken recipe, easy slider recipes