Buffalo Chicken Sliders Blue Cheese

My friend Sarah brought these to a Super Bowl party years ago and I literally hovered over the platter until I'd eaten three. The way that tangy buffalo sauce soaks into the bottom bun while the top stays pillowy soft is absolute magic.

Last summer I made these for my neighbors during a heat wave when turning on the oven felt like a crime against humanity. We ate them on the back porch while watching a thunderstorm roll in, and somehow the spicy chicken and cooling blue cheese made the humidity feel almost bearable.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded: Rotisserie chicken works perfectly here, but leftover grilled or baked chicken has even more flavor
• 1/2 cup hot sauce: Franks RedHot is the classic choice, but any Louisiana style sauce will give you that authentic buffalo taste
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted: The butter tempers the heat and helps the sauce cling to every strand of chicken
• 1 tbsp honey: This tiny bit of sweetness balances the acidity and keeps you from reaching for your drink between every bite
• 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese: Look for a creamy Danish blue if you want milder flavor, or go bold with an aged gorgonzola
• 1/4 cup sour cream: Adds tang and helps make the sauce thick enough to stay put on the slider
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise: The backbone that brings everything together into something spreadable and rich
• 1 tbsp lemon juice: Fresh lemon cuts through the fat and brightens the whole sauce
• 1/8 tsp garlic powder: Just enough to give depth without overpowering the other flavors
• Salt and pepper: Blue cheese is already salty so taste before adding much
• 8 soft slider buns: Brioche or potato buns are ideal because they stay tender even with all those juices
• 1 cup shredded lettuce: Iceberg or romaine adds the perfect cool crunch against the spicy chicken
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced celery: Essential for that authentic buffalo chicken experience and a nice fresh contrast
• 2 tbsp chopped chives: Totally optional but they add a pretty pop of color and mild onion flavor

Instructions

Whisk up the magic sauce:

Combine the hot sauce, melted butter, and honey in a bowl until they're completely smooth and glossy looking

Coat the chicken:

Add your shredded chicken to the sauce and fold it gently until every piece is evenly coated and looking temptingly orange

Make the blue cheese sauce:

Mix the blue cheese crumbles, sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until combined but still nicely chunky with those precious cheese bits

Prep your buns:

Slice the slider buns in half and give them a quick toast if you like a little extra structure to hold everything together

Start assembling:

Pile that saucy chicken onto the bottom buns and drizzle generously with your homemade blue cheese sauce

Add the fresh stuff:

Scatter the lettuce, celery, and chives over the sauced chicken so every bite gets some crunch

Close them up:

Pop on the tops and serve them right away while the bottoms still have that perfect slight give from soaking up the sauce

Pin it

These became my go to contribution for every friendsgiving after the year I brought a store bought platter and my brother actually asked if I was feeling okay. Now people text me days beforehand to confirm I'm still making the buffalo chicken sliders, which feels like the highest compliment possible.

Make It Your Own

Swap ranch dressing for blue cheese if you have a household full of ranch loyalists. Add crumbled bacon on top because honestly bacon makes almost everything better. Try different hot sauce heat levels until you find your sweet spot.

Getting Ahead

You can shred the chicken and mix up both sauces a day in advance. Keep everything separate in the refrigerator and assemble right before serving so the buns don't get soggy. The sauce actually develops more flavor overnight.

Serving Ideas

Set up a little slider bar with extra celery sticks, carrot rounds, and extra blue cheese sauce on the side. Put out some cold beer and you've got instant party vibes. These disappear fast so make double what you think you need.

• Line your serving platter with parchment paper for easy cleanup
• Stick a small toothpick in each slider to keep everything from sliding apart
• Have extra napkins ready because these are gloriously messy

Pin it

There's something about passing around a platter of these sliders that makes any gathering feel like a celebration. Hope they become a favorite in your house too.

Recipe FAQs

→ How can I add more heat to the buffalo chicken?

Incorporate a dash of cayenne pepper into the buffalo sauce to boost the spice level without overpowering the flavors.

→ Can I prepare the components ahead of time?

Yes, keep the shredded chicken and sauce separate until ready to assemble to maintain freshness and texture.

→ What can I substitute for blue cheese sauce?

Ranch dressing works well as a milder alternative, providing a creamy complement to the spicy chicken.

→ What toppings add crunch to these sliders?

Shredded lettuce and thin celery slices offer fresh, crisp textures that balance the richness of the sauces.

→ How should I serve these sliders for best results?

Lightly toast the slider buns before assembling to add a slight crispness and prevent sogginess.

→ Are these sliders suitable for quick gatherings?

Absolutely, they require just 30 minutes total and are perfect for parties or casual appetizers.