Name: Buffalo Chicken Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 22 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 (12-ounce) package Hawaiian sweet dinner rolls (such as King’s Hawaiian); 3 cups shredded chicken breast; ¾ cup hot sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot or Frank's Buffalo); ¼ cup ranch dressing (Greek-yogurt based preferred); 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 2 cups shredded mozzarella (provolone, or Havarti cheese, divided); 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted); 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

There’s something genuinely irresistible about the combo of tangy buffalo chicken, creamy ranch, and soft, sweet Hawaiian rolls all bundled up in one bite. This Buffalo Chicken Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls Recipe brings those flavors together perfectly, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser at any gathering or even a cozy night in.

The image shows a close-up of a slider sandwich stacked on top of another, both with two layers of soft, golden-brown sandwich buns seasoned with small herbs and a glossy top layer. Between the buns, there is a thick filling of shredded chicken mixed in a creamy, orange sauce, giving a textured and slightly messy look with bits spilling out at the edges. The sliders are placed on a light brown parchment surface with more similar sliders blurred in the background, all on a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Buffalo Chicken Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Buffalo Chicken Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I love how effortlessly delicious these sliders come together. They're juicy, cheesy, and packed with that classic buffalo chicken punch, yet softened by the sweeter bite of Hawaiian rolls — creating this perfect balance you’ll want to make again and again.

Quick and Easy: You can whip up these sliders in just about 20 minutes, which means dinner or snacks are sorted fast.
Perfect for Parties: Slider size makes them super shareable—ideal for game days or casual get-togethers.
Flavor Explosion: The buffalo sauce combined with ranch and melty cheese delivers mouthwatering, layered flavors every time.
Soft & Buttery Buns: The Hawaiian rolls soak up the sauce and butter beautifully without falling apart.

A group of nine soft white dinner rolls with golden brown tops sprinkled with coarse salt and herbs are arranged closely on a parchment-lined white marbled surface. Each roll is filled with an orange shredded filling, which looks creamy and textured, slightly spilling out from between the tops and bottoms of the rolls. The filling also shows melted cheese strands stretching between some rolls where they have been slightly pulled apart. A black handle knife lies next to the rolls on the left side on the same white marbled surface. The overall scene is bright and warm, with a fresh baked, comforting look. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Buffalo Chicken Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls Recipe plays a specific role to create that perfect bite. From the sweetness of the rolls to the tang of the hot sauce and creaminess of the ranch, it really is a symphony of flavors. Let me walk you through my favorite picks and helpful tips when selecting ingredients.

Flat lay of a small stack of golden Hawaiian sweet dinner rolls, a white ceramic bowl filled with shredded white chicken breast, a small white bowl with vibrant red hot sauce, a small white bowl containing creamy ranch dressing, a small white bowl holding finely shredded mozzarella cheese, a small white bowl with melted golden butter, and a small white bowl with mixed Italian seasoning herbs, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Hawaiian sweet dinner rolls: These soft, slightly sweet buns are an absolute must—they mellow the heat and give that tender texture that’s hard to beat.
Shredded chicken breast: Using leftover or rotisserie chicken is a total lifesaver here—pre-cooked chicken speeds things up without sacrificing flavor.
Hot sauce: I stick with Frank’s RedHot because it’s that classic buffalo flavor without being overpowering; adjust for your preferred spice level.
Ranch dressing: A Greek yogurt-based ranch adds a nice tang and creaminess without extra heaviness.
Garlic powder: Just a touch to deepen the flavor profile and add a subtle savory note.
Shredded mozzarella (or provolone, Havarti): The gooey cheese is essential for that melty, cheesy top—Mozzarella stretches perfectly while provolone gives a bit more sharpness.
Unsalted butter: Brushed on top with Italian seasoning, it crisps the buns and adds richness.
Italian seasoning: A sprinkle adds aromatic herbs that lift the flavor and tie everything together.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best parts about Buffalo Chicken Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls Recipe is how easy it is to make your own—whether you like it hotter, creamier, or packed with extra veggies. I often switch up the cheese or swap ranch for blue cheese dressing, and it still turns out incredible.

Variation: For an extra kick, I sometimes add a dash of cayenne or hot sauce into the butter before brushing on the buns. It amps up the heat in a subtle way that pairs beautifully with the richness.
Make it lighter: Using shredded rotisserie chicken and a lighter ranch option keeps it leaner, perfect when you want flavor without guilt.
Extra crunch: Adding finely sliced celery or pickles inside the sliders adds that fresh crunch and balances the creamy buffalo flavor.
Vegetarian swap: You can also try shredded jackfruit or a plant-based chicken substitute with the same sauce for a meatless twist that’s truly tasty.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Buffalo Chicken Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls Recipe

Step 1: Get Your Oven Ready and Prep Your Buns

First, I preheat my oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to avoid any sticky mess. Then, without separating the rolls from each other, I slice the Hawaiian sweet rolls down the middle horizontally—this keeps them stable while baking. I arrange the bottom half firmly on the lined sheet; this way, they’ll soak up all the buffalo goodness.

Step 2: Mix That Zesty Buffalo Chicken Filling

In a bowl, I combine shredded chicken breast with hot sauce, ranch dressing, and garlic powder. This combo is the magic that gives the sliders their punchy, creamy flavor. I make sure everything is mixed well but still chunky enough to keep that hearty texture—because smooth isn’t what we want here.

Step 3: Layer It Up With Cheese and Chicken

I scatter a good handful of shredded mozzarella directly onto the bottom rolls—this helps the chicken stick and adds a melty base. Then I pile the buffalo chicken evenly over the cheese, topping it all with the remaining shredded cheese. The cheese on top melts beautifully, making these sliders irresistible.

Step 4: Butter Up the Tops and Bake

This is where the buttery, herby crust happens. I mix melted butter with Italian seasoning and brush it generously over the top half of the rolls. Baking everything together for about 10 to 12 minutes creates that melty, golden perfection. Patience here is key—you want bubbly cheese and slightly crispy tops without drying out the rolls.

Step 5: Slice, Serve, and Enjoy!

Once out of the oven, I let the sliders rest for a few minutes—they’re hot and gooey right out of the oven! Using a serrated knife, I carefully slice between the rolls so everyone can grab their own. Pro tip: Cutting while they're warm avoids the cheese pulling but still keeps them intact. Then it’s game time!

Top Tip

Having made these sliders countless times, I found a few little tricks that really make the difference between “meh” and “wow” when it comes to Buffalo Chicken Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls Recipe.

Don’t separate the rolls until after baking: Keeping them connected prevents them from drying out and makes buttering the tops a breeze.
Use a serrated knife for slicing: It cuts through the soft rolls and melty cheese cleanly without squishing sliders.
Generous buttering: Don’t skimp on the butter + Italian seasoning mix—it crisps the tops perfectly and adds aromatic flavor.
Shred your own chicken if possible: Freshly shredded chicken absorbs the sauce better and gives a nicer texture versus pre-shredded from the store.

How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls Recipe

Buffalo Chicken Sliders - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping these sliders with some chopped fresh celery for crunch and a few chives or green onions to add a fresh pop of color and flavor. If you’re feeling fancy, a drizzle of ranch or blue cheese dressing on top just seals the deal.

Side Dishes

These sliders pair amazingly with classic sides like crispy carrot sticks, blue cheese coleslaw, or even some kettle-cooked chips. Recently, I served them along with baked sweet potato fries — a total hit with everyone.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I arrange the sliders on a big platter surrounded by colorful veggie sticks and little bowls of extra ranch and hot sauce for dipping. Sometimes I even add mini flags stuck into each slider for a fun, festive look that guests love.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover sliders tightly covered in the fridge, usually in an airtight container or wrapped well with foil. They keep well for 2 to 3 days, which makes for perfect next-day snacks or lunch.

Freezing

While I prefer these fresh, you can freeze the sliders before baking—assemble them, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to a month. When you want to enjoy, bake them straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cook time.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop them in a 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes until warmed through and the cheese is melty again. Avoid microwaving if you can—it tends to make the buns soggy rather than crisp.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make these Buffalo Chicken Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls Recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can assemble the sliders but wait to bake them until you’re ready to serve. Just keep them covered in the fridge for up to a day before baking.

What type of cheese works best for Buffalo Chicken Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls Recipe?

Mozzarella is my go-to for its perfect melt and stretch, but provolone or Havarti add great flavor notes if you want to mix it up.

Can I use a different type of sauce besides buffalo?

Yes! While buffalo sauce is classic, you can substitute BBQ sauce for a sweeter version or even a spicy honey mustard for a different twist.

How do I prevent the Hawaiian rolls from becoming soggy?

Keeping the buns connected during baking helps, and brushing the tops with butter seals them nicely. Also, don’t add too much sauce to the chicken mixture to avoid oversaturation.

Final Thoughts

There’s a reason these Buffalo Chicken Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls Recipe consistently gets a nod as one of my favorite quick meals. They’re fun to make, super flavorful, and always a hit whether it’s game day or an easy weeknight dinner. I promise once you try them, you’ll want to keep these sliders in your regular rotation — they’re just that good.