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- 1 pound chicken tenders - 1 cup buttermilk - 1 cup all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon garlic powder - 1 teaspoon onion powder - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika - ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper - Salt and pepper to taste - 1 cup buffalo sauce (homemade or store-bought) - 8 slider buns - 1 cup shredded lettuce - ½ cup crumbled blue cheese - 2 tablespoons ranch dressing (for drizzling) - Sliced pickles (optional, for garnish) Chicken tenders are the star here. They give you the perfect bite. Buttermilk adds moisture and flavor. Flour, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper create a tasty coating. The buffalo sauce gives that fiery kick we love. Slider buns hold it all together and make it easy to eat. Blue cheese and ranch dressing add creamy goodness. If you don’t have chicken tenders, use boneless chicken breasts. You can swap buttermilk with regular milk mixed with lemon juice. If you are out of all-purpose flour, use gluten-free flour. For a milder spice, skip the cayenne pepper. You can also use any hot sauce if you don’t have buffalo sauce. Want a different cheese? Try feta or cheddar! If you want a lighter option, use yogurt instead of ranch dressing. {{ingredient_image_1}} First, you need to marinate the chicken. Take 1 pound of chicken tenders and a bowl. Pour in 1 cup of buttermilk. Mix the chicken with the buttermilk well. Cover the bowl and place it in the fridge. Let it marinate for at least 1 hour. If you have time, marinate overnight for better flavor. Now, prepare the coating. In another bowl, mix 1 cup of all-purpose flour with 1 teaspoon each of garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Add ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Take the chicken from the fridge. Let the excess buttermilk drip off. Dredge each tender in the flour mixture. Ensure each piece is fully coated, then place them on a baking sheet. Once coated, bake the chicken tenders for 20-25 minutes. Flip them halfway through for even crispiness. When they turn golden brown, take them out. Let them cool for a minute. In a large bowl, pour 1 cup of buffalo sauce. Toss the crispy chicken tenders in the sauce until they are well coated. For the sliders, slice 8 slider buns in half. On the bottom half of each bun, place a few pieces of buffalo chicken. On top of the chicken, add shredded lettuce and crumbled blue cheese. Drizzle some ranch dressing over everything. Finally, place the top half of the slider bun over the fillings. You can add sliced pickles for extra crunch. Cut each slider in half for easier handling. Serve warm and enjoy every bite! To get your chicken tenders really crispy, follow these steps: - Marinate Well: Soak the chicken in buttermilk for at least one hour. This makes it juicy and helps the coating stick. - Dry Before Coating: After marinating, shake off excess buttermilk. This helps the flour coat better. - Use a Cooling Rack: Place the chicken on a cooling rack while baking. This allows air to circulate, keeping the chicken crispy all around. You can make your buffalo chicken sliders even tastier with these tips: - Add More Spices: Mix extra spices into the flour. Try adding black pepper or garlic powder for a bolder taste. - Try Different Sauces: Experiment with other sauces like barbecue or honey mustard for variety. - Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley can brighten up the flavors. These tools will make preparing your sliders easier: - Baking Sheet: A sturdy baking sheet is key for even cooking. - Cooling Rack: Helps with crispiness by allowing air to flow around the chicken. - Mixing Bowls: Use separate bowls for marinating and coating. - Tongs: Perfect for flipping the chicken and tossing in sauce without mess. Pro Tips Marinate for Maximum Flavor: The longer you marinate the chicken tenders in buttermilk, the more flavorful and tender they will become. Aim for at least 1 hour, but overnight is even better! Achieve Extra Crispiness: For an even crispier texture, consider double-dipping the chicken tenders. After the first coating, dip them back into the buttermilk and then into the flour mixture again before baking. Adjust the Heat: If you prefer milder sliders, reduce the amount of cayenne pepper or use a milder buffalo sauce. For extra heat, add more cayenne or use a hot buffalo sauce. Customize Your Toppings: Feel free to get creative with the toppings! Add sliced jalapeños, avocado, or different types of cheese to personalize your sliders to your taste. {{image_2}} For those who love heat, spicy buffalo chicken sliders are a must-try. You can add more cayenne pepper to the flour mix. This will boost the spice level. You could also mix in hot sauce with the buffalo sauce for extra kick. If you want to get wild, try adding jalapeños or sliced serrano peppers. The heat will mix well with the creamy ranch dressing. Buffalo sauce is great, but you can switch it up! Try using barbecue sauce for a sweet twist. Honey mustard also works well for a tangy flavor. For a creamy option, ranch or blue cheese dressing can replace the buffalo sauce. This will give a different taste that many will love. You can even mix sauces together. Don't be afraid to get creative! You can still enjoy these sliders if you're vegetarian or vegan. Use cauliflower or eggplant instead of chicken. Simply coat them in the same flour mix and bake. For a vegan buffalo sauce, choose one made from plant-based ingredients. Look for vegan ranch or dressings for the topping. These options will still give you that great buffalo flavor while keeping it plant-based. After enjoying your sliders, store any leftovers to keep them fresh. Place the sliders in an airtight container. Use parchment paper between layers for best results. They will stay good in the fridge for up to three days. If you have leftover chicken, store it separately. This helps keep the buns from getting soggy. When you're ready to eat the leftovers, reheat them properly. You can use the oven for the best taste. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the sliders on a baking sheet. Heat for about 10-15 minutes. This warms them evenly and keeps them crispy. If you’re in a hurry, the microwave works too, but it may make the buns soft. Heat on medium power for 30 seconds or until warm. Want to save some for later? You can freeze the chicken tenders before they are tossed in buffalo sauce. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil. Store them in a freezer-safe bag. They can last for up to three months in the freezer. To cook, thaw in the fridge overnight and bake as directed. This way, you can enjoy crispy sliders any time you want! To make these sliders, start by marinating chicken tenders in buttermilk for at least one hour. This helps keep the chicken juicy. Next, mix all-purpose flour with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Coat the chicken tenders in this mix. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the coated chicken for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Toss the cooked chicken in buffalo sauce. Finally, assemble your sliders with lettuce, blue cheese, ranch dressing, and top buns. Enjoy each tasty bite! Yes, you can use frozen chicken tenders. Just bake them according to the package instructions. Once they’re nice and crispy, toss them in buffalo sauce. Using frozen tenders saves time and still gives you great flavor. You can make this recipe even quicker! Buffalo chicken sliders go well with many sides. Some great options include: - Crisp carrot and celery sticks - Creamy coleslaw - Sweet potato fries - Potato chips - A fresh garden salad These sides balance the spicy flavor of the sliders and add extra crunch. Making homemade buffalo sauce is simple! You need: - 1 cup hot sauce (like Frank's RedHot) - ½ cup melted butter - 1 tablespoon white vinegar - 1 teaspoon garlic powder - Salt to taste In a bowl, mix the hot sauce and melted butter. Add the vinegar, garlic powder, and salt. Stir until smooth. Use this sauce on your crispy chicken for a delicious kick! In this post, we explored making delicious Buffalo chicken sliders. We covered key ingredients and substitutes, along with easy instructions for marinating and baking. I shared tips for crispiness and tasty variations to try. Lastly, we looked at storage and common questions. With these steps, you can create a wonderful dish that family and friends will love. Enjoy making your sliders, and don't be afraid to experiment!

Crispy Buffalo Chicken Sliders

Delicious sliders featuring crispy chicken tenders tossed in buffalo sauce, topped with lettuce, blue cheese, and ranch dressing.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound chicken tenders
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • to taste Salt and pepper
  • 1 cup buffalo sauce
  • 8 pieces slider buns
  • 1 cup shredded lettuce
  • 0.5 cup crumbled blue cheese
  • 2 tablespoons ranch dressing
  • optional Sliced pickles

Instructions
 

  • In a bowl, combine the chicken tenders with the buttermilk. Cover and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour (or up to overnight for more flavor).
  • In another bowl, mix together the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.
  • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Remove the chicken tenders from the buttermilk, allowing excess liquid to drip off. Dredge each tender in the flour mixture until fully coated, then place them on a baking sheet.
  • Bake the coated chicken tenders for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy.
  • Once cooked, remove the chicken from the oven and let it cool for a minute. In a large bowl, toss the crispy chicken tenders in buffalo sauce until well coated.
  • Slice the slider buns in half. On the bottom half of each bun, place a few pieces of buffalo chicken. Top with shredded lettuce, crumbled blue cheese, and a drizzle of ranch dressing.
  • Place the top half of the slider bun over the fillings. Optionally, add sliced pickles for an extra crunch.
  • Cut each slider in half for easier handling and serve warm.

Notes

Marinating the chicken overnight enhances the flavor.
Keyword appetizer, buffalo chicken, sliders