Ultimate Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders

Welcome to the world of incredibly delicious and unbelievably easy-to-make **Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders**! This recipe brings together succulent chicken, crispy bacon, and creamy ranch dressing, all nestled in soft, sweet Hawaiian rolls. It’s a flavor explosion that promises to be a hit at any gathering, from casual weeknight dinners to bustling game day parties.

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These Sliders Disappear in Minutes! Seriously!

Over the years, I’ve created countless slider recipes – far too many to count, actually. They’ve become my trusted secret weapon for those times when I need a meal that’s quick to prepare, incredibly fun to eat, and absolutely guaranteed to impress everyone. What I adore most about sliders is their effortless assembly and how magically they vanish from the serving platter the moment they hit the table.

So, when a strong craving hit for that timeless, irresistible combination of chicken, bacon, and ranch, transforming it into a slider recipe was a complete no-brainer. It was destined to be a winner!

I whipped up a batch for a recent family get-together, and I can tell you, they didn’t just disappear quickly – they were gone in under ten minutes! Plate after plate, everyone kept asking if I had more tucked away in the kitchen. That’s always the ultimate sign of success in my book. Next time, I’m definitely doubling (or even tripling!) the recipe, and I wholeheartedly recommend you do the same. These Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders are simply too good to make just one batch!

Why You’ll Adore These Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders

There are countless reasons why these Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders will become a staple in your recipe rotation. Beyond their mouth-watering flavor, they offer unmatched convenience and versatility:

• Effortlessly Easy: With rotisserie chicken and simple ingredients, these sliders come together in a flash, making them perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute gatherings.
• Crowd-Pleasing Favorite: The classic combination of chicken, bacon, and ranch is universally loved, guaranteeing smiles from kids and adults alike. Prepare for rave reviews!
• Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a casual potluck, a celebratory party, a game day spread, or just a fun family meal, these sliders fit right in.
• Customizable Fun: Easily adapt the cheese, add a touch of spice, or incorporate extra veggies to make them uniquely yours.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep some components in advance, simplifying assembly closer to serving time.

Essential Chicken Bacon Ranch Slider Ingredients

Crafting the perfect Chicken Bacon Ranch Slider starts with selecting the right ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in achieving that irresistible balance of sweet, savory, and tangy.

How To Make Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders: A Detailed Guide

Making these mouthwatering sliders is incredibly straightforward. Follow these simple steps for perfectly golden, cheesy, and flavorful Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders every time.

1. Preheat & Prepare: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan to prevent sticking. Take your package of Hawaiian sweet rolls and, without separating the individual rolls, slice the entire slab horizontally into two equal halves using a large serrated knife. This creates a top and bottom “slab” for easy assembly. Melt the herb butter and set it aside to cool slightly.
2. Mix the Chicken Filling: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the shredded rotisserie chicken with the ranch dressing. Stir well until all the chicken pieces are thoroughly coated in the creamy dressing. This ensures every bite is packed with that signature ranch flavor.
3. Assemble the Bottom Layer: Carefully place the bottom slab of the Hawaiian rolls into your prepared baking pan. Using a pastry brush, gently brush about 2-1/2 tablespoons of the melted herb butter onto the cut sides of both the bottom and top roll halves. This adds flavor and helps create a lovely crust.
4. Layer the Delicious Fillings: Evenly arrange half of your cheese slices over the bottom half of the rolls in the pan. Next, spread the ranch-coated chicken mixture over the cheese layer, ensuring it’s distributed from edge to edge. Sprinkle the crumbled crispy bacon evenly over the chicken. Finally, top with the remaining cheese slices.
5. Initial Bake: Place the pan, with only the bottom half of the rolls and fillings, into the preheated oven. Bake for 10 minutes. This allows the bottom cheese to start melting and the flavors to meld, creating a warm and gooey foundation.
6. Add Tops & Final Bake: Remove the pan from the oven. Carefully place the top slab of the Hawaiian rolls over the melted cheese and bacon. Using your pastry brush, spread the remaining melted herb butter mostly over the top of the rolls, but also brush a little down the sides to ensure even browning. Cover the entire pan tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for an additional 20 minutes.
7. Achieve Golden Perfection: After 20 minutes, remove the foil from the pan. Return the sliders to the oven and bake for another 5-10 minutes, or until the tops of the rolls are beautifully golden brown and the cheese is completely melted and bubbly. This final uncovered bake creates that irresistible crisp-soft texture.
8. Serve Warm: Carefully remove the pan from the oven. Let the sliders rest for a minute or two before slicing them into individual portions along the lines of the rolls. Serve them hot, perhaps with a side of extra ranch dressing for dipping! Enjoy!

Pro Tips for Perfect Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders

• Don’t Separate Rolls Too Early: Slicing the entire slab of rolls horizontally keeps them together, making assembly much faster and easier. You’ll separate them into individual sliders after baking.
• Crispy Bacon is Key: While microwave bacon is quick, consider oven-baked or pan-fried bacon for maximum crispness and flavor. This adds a crucial textural element to the sliders.
• Melt Butter, Don’t Burn: Ensure your herb butter is melted but not hot when brushing the rolls. Too hot, and it can start to “cook” the bread.
• Foil is Your Friend: Covering the sliders with foil during most of the baking process helps to steam the rolls, keeping them soft and ensuring the cheese melts thoroughly without the tops burning. Removing the foil at the end allows for perfect golden browning.
• Customize Your Cheese: Feel free to experiment with different cheese combinations. A blend of sharp cheddar and mozzarella offers both flavor and excellent melt.
• Let Them Rest: A short resting period (1-2 minutes) after baking allows the cheese to set slightly, making the sliders easier to cut and serve without all the delicious filling sliding out.

What to Serve with Your Sliders

These Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders are substantial enough to be a meal on their own, but they also pair wonderfully with a variety of sides to complete your spread:

• Crisp Salads: A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette, a creamy coleslaw, or a pasta salad can provide a refreshing contrast.
• Fries or Chips: Classic potato chips, sweet potato fries, or crispy tater tots are always a hit.
• Vegetable Sticks: Carrots, celery, cucumber, and bell pepper sticks with extra ranch for dipping make a healthy and crunchy accompaniment.
• Soup: For a heartier meal, serve alongside a warm bowl of tomato soup or a creamy chicken noodle soup.
• Fresh Fruit: A platter of seasonal fresh fruit adds a bright and healthy touch.

Creative Variations to Try

While the classic Chicken Bacon Ranch combination is divine, don’t hesitate to get creative and customize your sliders!

• Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the chicken mixture, use Pepper Jack cheese, or drizzle with a bit of hot sauce before serving.
• Different Cheeses: Experiment with Monterey Jack, provolone, Swiss, or even a smoked Gouda for different flavor profiles.
• Veggies Welcome: Finely diced bell peppers, sautéed onions, or spinach can be mixed into the chicken for added nutrition and flavor.
• BBQ Ranch Sliders: Swap some of the ranch dressing for your favorite BBQ sauce to create a smoky BBQ Ranch twist.
• Garlic Parmesan Crust: Instead of plain herb butter, mix grated Parmesan cheese and extra garlic powder into the melted butter for an even more savory topping.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are some common questions about making Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders:

Can I make these sliders ahead of time?

Yes, absolutely! You can assemble the sliders up to 24 hours in advance. Simply follow all the layering steps, then cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. When ready to bake, remove from the fridge and let sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes while your oven preheats, then proceed with the baking instructions.

Can I use different types of chicken?

Certainly! While rotisserie chicken is a huge convenience, you can use any cooked chicken. Shredded grilled chicken, baked chicken breast, or even boiled chicken that has been seasoned and shredded will work wonderfully. Just ensure the chicken is cooked through and shredded or chopped into bite-sized pieces.

What if I don’t have Hawaiian rolls?

Hawaiian sweet rolls are truly ideal for their sweetness and soft texture. However, if unavailable, soft brioche rolls, potato rolls, or even regular dinner rolls can be used. Just keep in mind that the flavor profile might differ slightly.

Can I freeze Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders?

While you can freeze cooked sliders, the texture of the rolls might change slightly upon thawing and reheating (they can become a bit soggy). If you do freeze, wrap them very tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, and consume within 1-2 months. Reheat from frozen in a low oven (around 300°F/150°C) until warmed through, usually about 25-30 minutes, covered with foil initially.

Is there a way to make them healthier?

To lighten them up, you can use grilled chicken breast, turkey bacon, low-fat ranch dressing, and reduced-fat cheese. You could also add finely chopped vegetables like bell peppers or spinach to the chicken mixture for added nutrients.

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5 from 1 vote

Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders

By
Chelsea Lords

Tender chicken, smoky bacon, and tangy ranch on sweet Hawaiian rolls makes for the perfect Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders – an easy, delicious meal or appetizer.

Prep Time:

15
minutes

Cook Time:

35
minutes

Total Time:

50
minutes

Servings:

12
sliders

Equipment

• 9 x 13-inch baking pan
• Aluminum foil

Ingredients

• 1 (12-count) package Hawaiian sweet dinner rolls see note 1
• 3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken or chopped
• 1/2 cup ranch dressing
• 12 slices sharp Cheddar cheese or Colby Jack cheese
• 8 slices microwave bacon cooked and crumbled
• 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese optional
• 7 tablespoons herb butter see note 2

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan. Without separating them, slice the slab of rolls horizontally into two halves (see note 1). Melt the butter; let cool.
• Mix chicken with ranch dressing until well coated.
• Place the bottom half of the rolls in the prepared pan. Brush 2-1/2 tablespoons of melted butter onto the cut sides of both the top and bottom halves of the rolls.
• Layer half the cheese over the bottom half of the rolls. Evenly distribute the saucy chicken over the cheese. Sprinkle bacon evenly on top. Top with the remaining cheese. Bake without the top half of the rolls for 10 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and add the top slab of rolls. Use a pastry brush to spread the remaining butter mostly on the top of the rolls, but also a bit all over the sides. Cover the pan with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for another 5–10 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the cheese is completely melted.
• Cut into individual sliders and serve hot. Enjoy with extra ranch for dipping if desired!

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Keep the rolls intact and slice in half horizontally.

Note 2: Nothing beats this amazing Kerrygold® garlic butter! However, a homemade blend of 7 tablespoons butter mixed with 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt and pepper will do the trick.

Storage: Let sliders cool completely to room temperature, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap or foil. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven, air fryer, or microwave before serving.

Nutrition

Serving:
1serving
|

Calories:
364kcal
|

Carbohydrates:
16g
|

Protein:
20g
|

Fat:
24g
|

Saturated Fat:
10g
|

Polyunsaturated Fat:
4g
|

Monounsaturated Fat:
7g
|

Trans Fat:
0.02g
|

Cholesterol:
75mg
|

Sodium:
474mg
|

Potassium:
152mg
|

Sugar:
5g
|

Vitamin A:
308IU
|

Calcium:
203mg
|

Iron:
1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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