Love a bold, spicy bite packed with flavor? These Blackened Chicken Sliders are the ultimate crowd-pleaser! šš„
This quick & easy recipe delivers juicy, spicy chicken, blackened with Cajun seasoning, served on soft buns with a creamy, tangy sauce.
In this article, youāll learn:
āļø How to make blackened chicken sliders from scratch
āļø The secret to juicy, flavorful chicken
āļø Toppings & sauces to customize your sliders
āļø Step-by-step instructions with a printable recipe card
Table of Contents
š„ Why Youāll Love These Blackened Chicken Sliders
āļø Spicy & Flavorful ā The Cajun seasoning gives these sliders a bold kick!
āļø Juicy & Tender Chicken ā Blackening locks in the moisture, keeping every bite succulent.
āļø Perfect for Parties ā Mini sandwiches are great for game days, BBQs, or appetizers.
āļø Quick & Easy ā Ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy nights!
āļø Versatile ā Customize with your favorite toppings and sauces.
āIf you love spicy chicken sandwiches, these sliders are your new go-to recipe!ā
š Ingredients for the Perfect Sliders
š For the Blackened Chicken:
| Ingredient | Quantity | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken Breasts | 2 large (cut into 6 slider-sized pieces) | Juicy, tender protein |
| Cajun Seasoning | 2 tbsp | Bold, spicy flavor |
| Garlic Powder | 1 tsp | Enhances seasoning |
| Onion Powder | 1 tsp | Adds depth |
| Smoked Paprika | 1 tsp | Boosts smoky flavor |
| Salt & Black Pepper | To taste | Enhances taste |
| Olive Oil | 2 tbsp | Helps with searing |
š For the Sliders:
| Ingredient | Quantity | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Slider Buns | 6 mini buns | Soft, fluffy base |
| Butter | 2 tbsp (melted) | Adds richness |
| Lettuce | 6 small leaves | Fresh crunch |
| Tomato | 1 large (sliced) | Juicy contrast |
| Pickles | 6 slices | Tangy bite |
š„£ For the Creamy Sauce:
| Ingredient | Quantity | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Mayonnaise | Ā½ cup | Creamy base |
| Dijon Mustard | 1 tbsp | Adds tang |
| Lemon Juice | 1 tsp | Freshens up flavor |
| Hot Sauce | 1 tsp (adjust to taste) | Extra spice |
| Honey | 1 tsp | Balances heat |
š Tip: For extra spice, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the seasoning mix!
šØāš³ Step-by-Step: How to Make Blackened Chicken Sliders
1ļøā£ Prep the Chicken:
- Slice chicken breasts into 6 even-sized pieces.
- Pat dry and coat with olive oil.
2ļøā£ Season the Chicken:
- Mix Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Rub seasoning mix generously onto chicken.
3ļøā£ Cook the Chicken:
- Heat a cast-iron skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat.
- Sear chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until blackened and cooked through.
- Internal temp should reach 165Ā°F (75Ā°C).
4ļøā£ Prepare the Buns:
- Brush slider buns with melted butter.
- Toast lightly on a skillet for a golden-brown crust.
5ļøā£ Make the Sauce:
- In a small bowl, mix mayo, mustard, lemon juice, hot sauce, and honey.
- Stir until smooth and creamy.
6ļøā£ Assemble the Sliders:
- Spread sauce on both sides of the toasted buns.
- Layer lettuce, tomato, blackened chicken, and pickles.
- Secure with a toothpick and serve hot!
š„ Enjoy your spicy, flavorful Blackened Chicken Sliders!
š¦ How to Store & Reheat
āļø Refrigerator: Store leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
āļø Freezer: Freeze blackened chicken for up to 3 months.
āļø Reheating: Warm in a skillet or air fryer at 350Ā°F (175Ā°C) for 5 minutes.
āFor fresh-tasting sliders, toast the buns before serving!ā
šØ Common Problems & Solutions
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Chicken is dry | Cook on medium-high heat and donāt overcook. |
| Sliders are too spicy | Reduce Cajun seasoning or add more honey to the sauce. |
| Buns are soggy | Toast them before assembling. |
š Tasty Variations to Try!
āļø Buffalo Blackened Sliders: Toss chicken in Buffalo sauce before serving.
āļø Cheesy Sliders: Melt pepper jack cheese over the chicken.
āļø Avocado Lime Sliders: Add sliced avocado & a squeeze of lime for freshness.
āļø Bacon Ranch Sliders: Swap sauce for ranch & crispy bacon.
āMix & match toppings to create your perfect slider!ā
Ā Frequently Asked QuestionĀ
This expanded FAQ section provides detailed answers to common questions, ensuring better SEO rankings and user engagement. š
1ļøā£ Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Yes! Chicken thighs are juicier and more flavorful than chicken breasts. They also hold up better to high-heat cooking. If using thighs, cook them for 4-5 minutes per side until the internal temperature reaches 165Ā°F (75Ā°C).
2ļøā£ Whatās the best way to get a perfect blackened crust?
For the best blackened crust, follow these tips:
āļø Use a hot cast-iron skillet ā It helps sear the spices onto the chicken.
āļø Pat the chicken dry before seasoning ā Moisture prevents a crispy crust.
āļø Donāt flip too soon ā Let the chicken cook undisturbed for at least 3 minutes per side before flipping.
3ļøā£ Can I make these sliders ahead of time?
Yes! You can prep these sliders in several ways:
āļø Marinate & season the chicken up to 24 hours in advance and store it in the fridge.
āļø Cook the chicken ahead of time and reheat before assembling the sliders.
āļø Toast the buns ahead of time and store them in an airtight container.
4ļøā£ How do I prevent my chicken from being dry?
Dry chicken is often caused by overcooking or using too little fat.
āļø Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temp reaches exactly 165Ā°F (75Ā°C).
āļø Marinate the chicken in a little olive oil & lemon juice before seasoning.
āļø Cook over medium-high heat, not high heat, to prevent burning.
5ļøā£ What type of buns work best for sliders?
āļø Brioche slider buns ā Soft, buttery, and slightly sweet.
āļø Hawaiian rolls ā Lightly sweet and super fluffy.
āļø Potato buns ā Rich and sturdy, holds up well to juicy chicken.
6ļøā£ Can I make these sliders without a cast-iron skillet?
Yes! While a cast-iron skillet gives the best sear, you can also:
āļø Use a grill ā Cook over medium-high heat for the same blackened effect.
āļø Use a regular skillet ā Just make sure itās preheated properly before cooking.
āļø Use an air fryer ā Cook at 375Ā°F (190Ā°C) for 12 minutes, flipping halfway.
7ļøā£ Can I bake the blackened chicken instead of pan-frying?
Yes, you can bake it at 400Ā°F (200Ā°C) for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway. However, baking wonāt give you the same crispy, blackened crust as pan-frying or grilling.
8ļøā£ Whatās the best sauce to pair with blackened chicken sliders?
āļø Classic mayo-based sauce ā A blend of mayo, hot sauce, lemon juice, and honey.
āļø Garlic aioli ā Adds a rich, creamy garlic kick.
āļø Chipotle ranch ā A smoky, spicy twist.
āļø Honey mustard ā Balances out the spiciness with sweetness.
9ļøā£ Can I freeze cooked blackened chicken?
Yes! Freeze the cooked chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 months. When ready to eat:
āļø Thaw overnight in the fridge.
āļø Reheat in a skillet over medium heat or in an air fryer at 350Ā°F (175Ā°C) for 5 minutes.
š What sides go well with blackened chicken sliders?
āļø Sweet potato fries ā Balances out the heat.
āļø Coleslaw ā Adds crunch and freshness.
āļø Mac & cheese ā A creamy, cheesy side dish.
āļø Corn on the cob ā A classic BBQ pairing.
āļø Pickled veggies ā Helps cut through the spice.
1ļøā£1ļøā£ How can I make these sliders less spicy?
āļø Use less Cajun seasoning ā Reduce it to 1 tbsp instead of 2.
āļø Skip the hot sauce in the sauce or replace it with more honey.
āļø Add a slice of cheese (like Swiss or mozzarella) to balance out the heat.
1ļøā£2ļøā£ Can I use store-bought Cajun seasoning?
Yes! But homemade Cajun seasoning is fresher and allows you to control the spice level. A basic mix includes paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, oregano, salt, and pepper.
1ļøā£3ļøā£ Whatās the best way to store leftovers?
āļø Chicken ā Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
āļø Buns ā Keep in a sealed bag at room temperature for 2-3 days.
āļø Sauce ā Store in a small jar in the fridge for up to a week.
1ļøā£4ļøā£ Can I make this recipe keto-friendly?
Yes! Swap out the slider buns for lettuce wraps or low-carb keto buns.
1ļøā£5ļøā£ How can I serve these for a party?
āļø Make a slider bar! Set up a DIY station with different toppings, sauces, and buns.
āļø Keep chicken warm in a slow cooker for self-serve sliders.
āļø Offer different spice levels by making mild, medium, and extra spicy versions.
š Final Thoughts: Try These Blackened Chicken Sliders Today!
These Blackened Chicken Sliders are juicy, flavorful, and packed with spiceāperfect for dinner, BBQs, or game day snacks! šš„
š„ Did you try this recipe? Leave a comment below!
Try Next:Ā If youāre a fan of easy yet flavorful recipes, donāt miss ourHomemade Pancake MixĀ The Best Cinnamon Sugar Cream MuffinsĀ which pairs perfectly with this olive oil dip for an unforgettable dining experience!Ā
Print
Blackened Chicken Sliders
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 sliders 1x
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
These Blackened Chicken Sliders are bold, juicy, and packed with Cajun seasoning! Served on soft slider buns with a creamy sauce, they are perfect for game day, dinner, or BBQ parties!
Ingredients
š For the Blackened Chicken:
- 2 large chicken breasts (cut into 6 slider-sized pieces)
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Ā½ tsp salt
- Ā½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
š For the Sliders:
- 6 slider buns
- 2 tbsp butter (melted)
- 6 small lettuce leaves
- 1 large tomato (sliced)
- 6 slices pickles
š„£ For the Creamy Sauce:
- Ā½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp hot sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp honey
š Tip: Enable the shopping list checkbox so users can check off ingredients while shopping!
Instructions
1ļøā£ Prep the Chicken:
- Slice chicken breasts into 6 even-sized pieces.
- Pat dry and coat with olive oil.
2ļøā£ Season the Chicken:
- Mix Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Rub seasoning mix generously onto chicken.
3ļøā£ Cook the Chicken:
- Heat a cast-iron skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat.
- Sear chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until blackened and cooked through.
- Internal temp should reach 165Ā°F (75Ā°C).
4ļøā£ Prepare the Buns:
- Brush slider buns with melted butter.
- Toast lightly on a skillet for a golden-brown crust.
5ļøā£ Make the Sauce:
- In a small bowl, mix mayo, mustard, lemon juice, hot sauce, and honey.
- Stir until smooth and creamy.
6ļøā£ Assemble the Sliders:
- Spread sauce on both sides of the toasted buns.
- Layer lettuce, tomato, blackened chicken, and pickles.
- Secure with a toothpick and serve hot!
š„ Enjoy your spicy, flavorful Blackened Chicken Sliders!
Notes
ā
Make-Ahead Tip: Marinate and season the chicken up to 24 hours in advance for deeper flavor.
ā
Freezing Instructions: Freeze blackened chicken for up to 3 months and reheat before serving.
ā
Serving Suggestion: Serve sliders with coleslaw, fries, or a fresh green salad.
ā
Flavor Variations: Add cheese, crispy bacon, or avocado for extra toppings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Appetizer
- Method: Pan-searing, Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider (out of 6)
- Calories: 320kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Yummy
If youāre looking for a flavorful, crowd-pleasing appetizer or meal thatās quick to prepare, these Blackened Chicken Sliders are a must-try! Theyāre spicy, juicy, and incredibly easy to make!