If you have a craving for something that perfectly blends sweet and spicy with a comforting bite, then you are going to absolutely love this Nashville Hot Honey Butter Chicken Sliders Recipe. It’s a brilliant twist on classic sliders, combining crispy chicken bites drenched in a luscious hot honey butter sauce, nestled inside soft Hawaiian rolls slathered with garlicky mayo and topped with tangy pickles. This dish is not just a feast for your taste buds but also a guaranteed crowd-pleaser whether you’re cooking for family dinners, casual get-togethers, or game day celebrations. Get ready to dive into layers of flavor that are easy to make but feel incredibly indulgent!

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows a white square dish with black handles filled with golden brown crispy fried chicken pieces stacked neatly. Below it, there is a white rectangular tray holding nine soft, shiny, yellow slider buns arranged in three rows of three. To the right of the buns, a stick of pale yellow butter lies horizontally. Above the buns, there are four small white bowls: one with bright yellow-green pickle slices, one with thick white mayonnaise, one filled with orange-yellow honey, and the last with bright red-orange hot sauce. Near these bowls, a double sectioned white dish holds three powders – white, light brown, and red – side by side. All items rest on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Let’s talk about the magic behind the flavors: these simple but essential ingredients come together to create the irresistible balance of spicy, sweet, creamy, and tangy that defines the Nashville Hot Honey Butter Chicken Sliders Recipe. Each component has its own important role, from the crispy chicken bringing texture to the honey and hot sauce that create that signature glaze.

24 oz bag of crispy boneless chicken bites: Choose your favorite frozen chicken nuggets or bites; they’re the crunchy, juicy star of the sliders.
12 Hawaiian rolls: Soft, slightly sweet buns that perfectly cradle all the amazing fillings.
1/4 cup mayo: A creamy base for the garlic mayo that adds moisture and flavor.
1 tsp garlic powder: Sprinkled into the mayo for a punch of aromatic savoriness.
3 tbsp unsalted butter (melted): The buttery richness that blends with honey and hot sauce for that iconic sauce.
1/4 cup honey: Brings a natural sweet balance to the heat.
2 tbsp Franks Red Hot hot sauce: Adds the perfect amount of tangy spice without overpowering.
1 tsp paprika: Gives a smoky depth to the sauce.
1 tsp cayenne powder: Provides a kick of heat that wakes up your palate.
16 oz jar pickle chips: The crunchy, tangy finish that cuts through the richness beautifully.

How to Make Nashville Hot Honey Butter Chicken Sliders Recipe

Step 1: Cook the Chicken Bites

Begin by cooking the chicken bites according to the package instructions, either in an air fryer or your oven. This step is crucial for that crispy exterior that makes these sliders so addictive. While the chicken cooks, get your buns ready to be dressed and assembled.

Step 2: Prepare the Slider Buns

Slice the Hawaiian rolls horizontally, keeping them connected if possible—the kind of effortless slip-off style that makes for perfectly stacked sliders. Set the top halves aside for now. Mix the mayo with garlic powder and spread this flavorful garlic mayo over the bottom halves. This layer adds creamy moisture and a lovely hint of garlic with every bite.

Step 3: Make the Hot Honey Butter Sauce

While the chicken is cooking, whisk together the melted butter, honey, Franks Red Hot sauce, paprika, and cayenne powder in a large bowl. This luscious sauce is the heart of the Nashville Hot Honey Butter Chicken Sliders Recipe, delivering that iconic blend of sweet heat and richness.

Step 4: Toss Chicken in Sauce

Once your chicken bites are golden and crispy, toss them immediately into the hot honey butter sauce, making sure each piece is fully coated. The sauce will cling perfectly to the crispy chicken, infusing every bite with flavor.

Step 5: Assemble the Sliders

Pile the saucy chicken generously over the mayo-spread bottom buns, then layer on plenty of pickle chips for brightness and crunch. Place the top buns back on, then carefully slice the connected rolls into individual sliders. Don’t stress if a pickle slice or two gets sliced in half; that’s part of the fun and authenticity!

How to Serve Nashville Hot Honey Butter Chicken Sliders Recipe

The image shows twelve small sandwiches arranged on a tray lined with brown paper. Each sandwich has three layers: a soft, shiny golden-yellow top bun, a middle layer of crispy fried chicken pieces with a rough texture and a golden-brown color, and a bottom layer of a soft white bun. Some sandwiches have slices of green pickles placed between the chicken and the top bun, adding a bit of color contrast. The tray rests on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Feel free to jazz up your sliders with a few extra touches like a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley or a dash of extra cayenne on top for some visual pop and a tiny extra kick. A few thinly sliced red onions can also add a subtle sharpness that contrasts beautifully with the honey butter.

Side Dishes

These sliders pair wonderfully with classic comfort sides like crispy kettle-cooked chips, coleslaw for a refreshing crunch, or even sweet potato fries to echo the sweet-spicy profile. A simple green salad lightly dressed with vinaigrette can also balance the richness beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re hosting a party, serve these sliders on a wooden platter lined with parchment paper for a rustic touch. For fun, consider offering extra toppings or sauces on the side, like blue cheese dressing or a creamy ranch dip, to let guests customize their sliders. Mini skewers or toothpicks can help keep everything neatly together and add a charming presentation detail.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover sliders can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the chicken bites and slider buns separate if you want to maintain the buns’ softness and the chicken’s crispiness as much as possible.

Freezing

You can freeze the cooked and sauced chicken bites in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and warm them up in an oven or air fryer to bring back that crispy texture.

Reheating

For the best texture, reheat the chicken bites in a toaster oven or air fryer until crispy and warmed through. Warm the slider buns separately in a microwave wrapped in a damp paper towel for just a few seconds, then assemble your sliders fresh.

FAQs

Can I make the hot honey butter sauce from scratch?

Absolutely! This sauce is made from pantry staples: butter, honey, hot sauce, paprika, and cayenne. It comes together quickly and tastes fresh and vibrant every time.

What can I substitute if I don’t have Hawaiian rolls?

Soft dinner rolls or brioche buns work great as a substitute. They should be slightly sweet and soft to complement the spicy and tangy flavors of the sliders.

Is this recipe very spicy?

The spice level is balanced nicely by the sweetness of honey and the richness of butter. If you prefer less heat, reduce the cayenne powder and hot sauce to your liking.

Can I use fresh chicken instead of frozen bites?

Yes! Cut fresh chicken breast or thighs into bite-sized pieces, season, and fry or bake them until crispy before tossing them in the sauce.

What’s the best way to prevent the buns from getting soggy?

Spreading garlic mayo on the buns helps create a moisture barrier. Also, assemble the sliders just before serving to keep buns fresh and avoid sogginess.

Final Thoughts

There is something truly special about the way these Nashville Hot Honey Butter Chicken Sliders balance flavors and textures, making them an instant favorite for any occasion. I can’t recommend enough giving this Nashville Hot Honey Butter Chicken Sliders Recipe a try—once you do, it will quickly become part of your go-to recipe collection for feeding friends and family something deliciously unforgettable.