Buffalo Chicken Pizza Sliders

The first time I brought these to a Super Bowl party, my friend Sarah actually asked for the recipe before she'd even finished her first slider. She's usually not one for spicy food, but something about that creamy buffalo filling inside warm, buttery buns won her over completely. Now they're the most requested thing I make for gatherings, and honestly, I get it—there's something magical about that combination of hot sauce and cool ranch, all melted together with cheese.

Last summer, my brother-in-law took three of these home in a napkin because he couldn't stop eating them during our backyard barbecue. He texted me the next morning asking if I had any left, which I think says everything about how addictive they are. The kids even love them if you go easy on the hot sauce—my niece calls them 'special cheese sandwiches' and requests them every time she visits.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked shredded chicken: Rotisserie chicken saves so much time here, and the seasoning from the store-bought ones actually adds nice depth to the final flavor
• 1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce: Franks RedHot is my go-to, but any quality hot sauce works—just adjust based on your heat tolerance
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened: Absolutely must be room temperature or you'll end up with lumpy chunks instead of that smooth, creamy filling everyone loves
• 1/2 cup ranch dressing: The cool tanginess balances the heat perfectly, though blue cheese dressing works if you prefer that funky sharpness
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese: Freshly shredded melts so much better than the pre-shredded stuff with its anti-caking coating
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese: Adds a sharper note that cuts through all the creamy elements
• 12 slider buns or Hawaiian rolls: Hawaiian rolls bring a subtle sweetness that's incredible with spicy buffalo flavor
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted: Combined with garlic powder, this creates that golden, savory top that makes these impossible to resist
• 1 tsp garlic powder: Don't use fresh garlic here—it won't distribute evenly on the bun tops
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives: Adds a fresh pop of color and mild onion flavor that brightens the whole dish

Instructions

Get your oven ready:

Preheat to 350°F and grab a baking sheet or 9x13 dish, lining it with parchment for the easiest cleanup ever

Mix up the magic filling:

Combine your shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, cream cheese, and ranch in a bowl until everything's incorporated and smooth

Build the base layer:

Arrange your bottom bun halves snugly together on the prepared pan, like little bread soldiers ready for their mission

Spread the love:

Dollop that spicy chicken mixture evenly across all the buns, making sure every slider gets its fair share

Cheese it up:

Scatter mozzarella and cheddar over the filling, and this is when you'd add blue cheese crumbles or jalapeños if you're going all out

Crown your creations:

Place those top bun halves over everything like you're tucking them in for a cozy cheese blanket nap

Give them the golden treatment:

Whisk melted butter with garlic powder and brush it generously over every single bun top—don't be shy here

Bake to perfection:

Cover with foil for 15 minutes so everything heats through, then uncover and bake 8-10 more minutes until those tops are beautifully golden

The finishing touch:

Let them rest for 5 minutes before sprinkling with fresh chives, then watch everyone gather around the pan like hungry sharks

Save

These became legendary in my friend group after I showed up to a potluck with them when I was supposed to bring something healthy. Nobody complained about the lack of kale salad, and now they're the first thing people ask about when I mention I'm hosting anything. Something about pulling apart warm, cheesy sliders just makes people instantly happy.

Make-Ahead Magic

You can absolutely assemble these a few hours before baking—just wrap the assembled sliders tightly in foil and keep them refrigerated. Add 5-10 minutes to the baking time if they're cold from the fridge, and brush with the garlic butter right before they go into the oven. The filling actually gets better as it sits, giving all those flavors time to mingle and get to know each other.

Heat Level Hacks

Not everyone can handle serious spice, and that's totally okay. Start with less buffalo sauce and have extra on the side for the heat seekers. Mixing in a bit more ranch or cream cheese tones things down beautifully. I've made separate batches for parties before—one mild and one wild—and everyone gets exactly what they want.

Serving Suggestions

These sliders are practically a meal on their own, but some fresh celery sticks on the side add that classic buffalo wing crunch. A big green salad with a tangy vinaigrette cuts through all that rich cheese. And definitely have extra ranch or blue cheese dressing available for dipping—nobody will judge you for double-dipping here.

• Cut them in half if you're serving a crowd—people eat more when portions seem smaller
• Set out a small bowl of extra hot sauce for the brave souls who want to kick it up
• Napkins aren't optional here, they're absolutely required gear

Save

There's something deeply satisfying about watching a platter of these disappear in minutes at a party. People go back for seconds, thirds, sometimes fourths, and suddenly you're everyone's best friend. Food does that—brings us together, makes us happy, creates these little moments of joy around a shared plate.

Recipe Questions & Answers

→ Can I make these sliders ahead of time?

Yes, assemble the sliders up to 4 hours before baking. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Add the garlic butter just before popping in the oven.

→ What's the best way to shred the chicken?

Use two forks to pull apart rotisserie chicken or poached breast meat. For faster prep, pulse cooked chicken in a food processor for just a few seconds.

→ Can I freeze these buffalo chicken sliders?

Assemble unbaked sliders and freeze tightly wrapped for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before baking as directed.

→ How can I reduce the spice level?

Decrease buffalo sauce to 1/4 cup and increase ranch dressing to 3/4 cup. Mild wing sauce works great too, or substitute with BBQ sauce.

→ What should I serve with these sliders?

Offer extra ranch or blue cheese for dipping. Celery sticks, carrot sticks, or a simple green salad help balance the rich flavors.

→ Can I use different cheese?

Provolone, pepper jack, or Mexican blend work well. Just keep the total amount around 1 1/2 cups for proper melting coverage.