BBQ Pulled Chicken Hawaiian Sliders (Printable Format)

Tender BBQ chicken on sweet Hawaiian rolls, perfect for gatherings

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

→ Sauce & Seasonings

02 - 1 cup BBQ sauce (plus more for serving)
03 - 1/2 cup chicken broth
04 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 tbsp olive oil
07 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
09 - 1/2 tsp kosher salt

→ Slider Assembly

10 - 12 soft Hawaiian rolls, split
11 - 2 tbsp melted butter (optional, for toasting rolls)
12 - 1 cup coleslaw (store-bought or homemade, optional)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
03 - Add chicken breasts to the skillet along with chicken broth, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Pour BBQ sauce over the top. Cover and simmer on low for 25-30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and easily shreds.
04 - Remove chicken from the skillet, shred with two forks, and return to the sauce. Stir well to coat evenly.
05 - Arrange Hawaiian rolls on a baking sheet. Brush with melted butter and toast in the oven for 4-5 minutes until lightly golden.
06 - Spoon pulled chicken onto the bottom half of each roll. Top with coleslaw if desired and cover with the top bun.
07 - Serve warm with extra BBQ sauce on the side.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The sweet Hawaiian rolls create the perfect contrast to smoky tangy BBQ chicken
  • They reheat beautifully so you can make them ahead and actually enjoy your own party
  • Everything comes together in under an hour with almost zero cleanup
02 -
  • The chicken needs time to absorb all those flavors so dont rush the simmer step
  • Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before shredding it holds onto moisture better
03 -
  • Toast the cut sides of the rolls not the outside for maximum butter absorption
  • Let the shredded chicken sit in the sauce for at least 10 minutes before serving so every bite is perfectly seasoned

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