Chicken Sliders Recipe: Easy Mini Burgers for Any Occasion

These tender chicken sliders bring comfort food straight to your dinner table with their perfectly seasoned patties and soft brioche buns. When weeknight dinner feels overwhelming, these bite-sized burgers rescue busy families with their simple preparation and kid-friendly appeal that pleases every palate.

Ingredients

For the Chicken Patties:

• 1 pound ground chicken
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For Assembly:

• 12 slider buns
• 6 slices cheese, halved
• Lettuce leaves
• Tomato slices
• Pickles
• Your favorite sauce

Smart Substitutions: Swap panko for regular breadcrumbs or crushed crackers. Use ground turkey instead of chicken for a leaner option. Regular hamburger buns work perfectly when slider buns aren’t available.

Timing

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 27 minutes

Form patties ahead during weekend meal prep and refrigerate for up to two days, making weeknight cooking effortless.

How to Make It

1. Prepare the Mixture

Combine ground chicken, panko breadcrumbs, egg, mayonnaise, and all seasonings in a large bowl. Gently mix with your hands until just combined—overmixing creates tough patties. The mixture should feel moist and hold together easily.

2. Form the Patties

Divide mixture into 12 equal portions and shape into small patties slightly larger than your slider buns. Create a small indent in each patty’s center with your thumb—this prevents puffing during cooking and ensures even thickness.

3. Cook the Sliders

Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat with a drizzle of oil. Cook patties for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. The sizzling sound should be gentle and steady—too hot means burnt outsides and raw centers.

4. Add Cheese

Place cheese slices on patties during the final minute of cooking. Cover skillet briefly to melt cheese perfectly. Watch for that beautiful melted edge that signals readiness.

5. Toast and Assemble

Lightly toast slider buns in the same skillet for extra flavor. Layer lettuce, chicken patty, tomato, pickles, and sauce on each bun. The warm buns will slightly wilt the lettuce, creating the perfect texture contrast.

Nutritional Information

Each chicken slider contains approximately 185 calories, 18g protein, 8g carbohydrates, and 9g fat. These mini burgers provide lean protein while staying lighter than traditional beef burgers.

Serving Suggestions

Pair these sliders with crispy sweet potato fries, fresh coleslaw, or a simple garden salad. They’re perfect for game day spreads, birthday parties, or casual family dinners alongside corn on the cob.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t skip the thumb indent—it prevents uneven cooking. Avoid pressing patties with your spatula, which squeezes out juices and creates dry sliders. Never cook on high heat, as chicken needs gentle cooking to stay tender. Always check internal temperature rather than guessing doneness by appearance.

Storing Tips

Refrigerate leftover cooked patties for up to three days or freeze for three months. Reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of water to restore moisture and prevent drying out.

Conclusion

These chicken sliders transform ordinary weeknights into something special with minimal effort and maximum flavor. Gather your family around the table and watch these disappear faster than you can make them.

FAQs

Can I make these sliders ahead of time?
Form raw patties up to two days ahead and refrigerate covered. Cook fresh for best texture and flavor.

What if my kids don’t like certain toppings?
Serve toppings on the side family-style, letting everyone customize their own recipe creation. Plain patties with cheese often win over picky eaters.

How do I prevent dry chicken sliders?
The mayonnaise in the mixture keeps patties moist, and avoiding overcooking prevents dryness. Ground chicken should never be pink, but don’t cook beyond 165°F.

Can I grill these instead of pan-cooking?
Absolutely! Grill over medium heat for the same cooking times. Use a grill basket or be extra gentle when flipping to prevent breakage.

What’s the best way to transport these for picnics?
Keep components separate and assemble on-site. Pack cooked patties in insulated containers and bring fresh toppings for optimal texture. Check out more ideas on our recipe boards for portable meal inspiration.

Chicken Sliders

These tender chicken sliders bring comfort food straight to your dinner table with their perfectly seasoned patties and soft brioche buns.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Servings: 12

Calories: 185

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Chicken Patties

• 1 pound ground chicken
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For Assembly

• 12 slider buns
• 6 slices cheese, halved
• lettuce leaves
• tomato slices
• pickles
• your favorite sauce

Method

 

1. Combine ground chicken, panko breadcrumbs, egg, mayonnaise, and all seasonings in a large bowl. Gently mix with your hands until just combined—overmixing creates tough patties. The mixture should feel moist and hold together easily.
2. Divide mixture into 12 equal portions and shape into small patties slightly larger than your slider buns. Create a small indent in each patty's center with your thumb—this prevents puffing during cooking and ensures even thickness.
3. Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat with a drizzle of oil. Cook patties for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
4. Place cheese slices on patties during the final minute of cooking. Cover skillet briefly to melt cheese perfectly.
5. Lightly toast slider buns in the same skillet for extra flavor. Layer lettuce, chicken patty, tomato, pickles, and sauce on each bun.

Notes

Form patties ahead during weekend meal prep and refrigerate for up to two days. Don't skip the thumb indent to prevent uneven cooking. Avoid pressing patties with spatula which squeezes out juices. Never cook on high heat. Refrigerate leftover cooked patties for up to three days or freeze for three months. Reheat gently in skillet with splash of water.