Crispy Fried Chicken Sliders

Welcome to the ultimate guide for crafting the most delectable **Fried Chicken Sliders**! These aren’t just any sliders; they’re a symphony of flavors and textures, featuring succulent chicken, perfectly crisped to a golden brown, nestled in soft slider buns, and crowned with tangy homemade pickles and a vibrant mustard BBQ sauce. Ideal for game day, family gatherings, or simply a comforting weekend treat, these miniature masterpieces are designed to deliver a burst of joy with every single bite.

If you’re a connoisseur of fantastic football party foods, you’ll find these sliders right at home alongside other crowd-pleasers. For more irresistible snack ideas, consider exploring recipes like our Rocky Road to Victory Popcorn or these delicious Italian Sandwich Sliders.

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The Irresistible Allure of Homemade Fried Chicken Sliders

Sometimes, a dish speaks for itself, and these **Fried Chicken Sliders** certainly do. But for the sake of diving into culinary delight, let’s explore what makes them truly exceptional. This isn’t just about frying chicken; it’s about elevating a classic comfort food to an art form, focusing on fresh, homemade components that promise an unparalleled taste experience.

What sets these sliders apart from your average fast-food fare? It’s the dedication to quality ingredients and the thoughtful preparation. Each slider features our signature **homemade pickles**, a recipe so simple yet so utterly addictive, you’ll be ditching store-bought varieties for good. Their bright, zesty crunch provides the perfect counterpoint to the rich, savory fried chicken. Complementing this duo is a tangy and subtly sweet **mustard BBQ sauce** that ties all the flavors together, creating a harmonious and unforgettable bite.

Why These Sliders Are Perfect for Any Occasion (Especially Game Day!)

While I don’t often indulge in or prepare fried chicken, the challenge of creating a standout #Footballfood and slider recipe immediately brought this classic to mind. And frankly, who could argue with that? My husband certainly didn’t, and neither did my taste buds! The beauty of sliders lies in their miniature size, making them ideal for parties, tailgates, or a fun family dinner. They’re easy to hold, perfect for mingling, and allow guests to try a variety of dishes without over-committing to a single serving.

Although “fried chicken” might sound intimidating, this recipe for **Homemade Fried Chicken Sliders** is surprisingly manageable. The secret? Smart planning and simple overnight prep work. This makes the cooking process on the main day much smoother and far less stressful, proving that incredible flavors don’t always require hours of active kitchen time. Trust me, the minimal effort invested the night before pays off tenfold in flavor and tenderness.

Mastering the Prep: Buttermilk Marinade and Zesty Homemade Pickles

The foundation of truly tender and flavorful fried chicken lies in the marinade. Our recipe calls for a simple yet incredibly effective **buttermilk marinade**, left to work its magic overnight. Buttermilk is a culinary marvel, with its acidity gently tenderizing the chicken, ensuring each piece is moist and juicy from the inside out. Don’t skip this crucial step! Simply combine your chicken pieces with the marinade ingredients in a zip-top bag, seal, and refrigerate. It’s truly that simple, yet it makes all the difference in achieving that melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Equally important for the ultimate slider experience are the **homemade pickles**. Preparing these the night before allows them ample time to steep in their flavorful brine, absorbing all the wonderful sweet, tangy, and subtly spicy notes. I cannot stress enough how incredible these pickles are – they’re a game-changer! Their crisp texture and bright acidity perfectly cut through the richness of the fried chicken, adding a layer of complexity and freshness that elevates the entire dish. Once you try these, you’ll understand why store-bought pickles just won’t compare.

Frying to Perfection and Assembling Your Culinary Masterpiece

With all the essential prep work completed the night before, the main event – frying the chicken and assembling your sliders – becomes a quick and enjoyable process. This streamlined approach means you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your guests or the game.

When it comes to frying, achieving that perfect golden-brown crispness is key. We’ll guide you through heating the oil to the ideal temperature and frying the chicken in batches to ensure each piece cooks evenly and develops a beautifully crunchy exterior while remaining tender inside. The aroma alone will have everyone’s mouths watering!

Once your chicken pieces are fried to perfection, it’s time for the grand assembly. Grab those soft, pillowy slider buns – we particularly love using Pepperidge Farm Slider Buns for their consistent quality and delicious texture, making them the perfect vessel for our incredible sliders. Place a piece of crispy fried chicken on the bottom bun, slather it with a generous dollop of our irresistible homemade mustard BBQ sauce, and then top with a few slices of those amazing homemade pickles. Crown it with the top bun, and just like that, you’ve created a delicious slider recipe worthy of any get-together. Prepare for rave reviews and happy faces!

8 votes

The Best Fried Chicken Sliders with Homemade Pickles

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 20 mins

Inactive Time 8 hours

Total Time 8 hours, 35 mins

Author Megan | Strawberry Blondie Kitchen

Yields 12 sliders

These delicious fried chicken sliders are cooked until golden brown, topped with homemade pickles and nestled into a slider bun for the perfect bite of comfort food!

Ingredients

For the Marinated Chicken

4 chicken cutlets, cut into 3 pieces each (total of 12 pieces)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 tablespoon hot sauce (adjust to taste)

1/2 cup buttermilk

For the Homemade Pickles

2 cucumbers, thinly sliced (approx. 1/4″ thick)

3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 cup onions, thinly sliced

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup white vinegar

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

1 teaspoon mustard seeds

1/4 teaspoon celery seeds

1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes (for a touch of heat)

1 bay leaf

For the Tangy Mustard BBQ Sauce

3/4 cup yellow mustard

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup white vinegar

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

1/2 teaspoon hot sauce

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

For the Fried Chicken Breading & Assembly

1 cup vegetable oil (for frying)

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 teaspoon paprika

12 Slider Buns (such as Pepperidge Farm)

Instructions

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken (Overnight Prep)

Place the chicken cutlet pieces into a large zip-top bag. Add the salt, pepper, hot sauce, and buttermilk. Seal the bag, ensuring the chicken is fully coated. Refrigerate overnight (minimum 8 hours for best results).

Step 2: Prepare the Homemade Pickles (Overnight Prep)

In a colander, toss the thinly sliced cucumbers with kosher salt and let them sit for 1 hour. This draws out excess moisture. Rinse the cucumbers thoroughly and transfer them to a large bowl with the sliced onions.
In a medium saucepan, combine granulated sugar, white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, mustard seeds, celery seeds, red chili flakes, and bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved.
Pour the hot brine over the cucumbers and onions in the bowl. Allow the mixture to sit at room temperature for 1 hour. After an hour, cover the bowl and refrigerate overnight, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.

Step 3: Craft the Mustard BBQ Sauce

Combine all ingredients for the mustard BBQ sauce (yellow mustard, brown sugar, white vinegar, unsalted butter, hot sauce, black pepper) into a medium saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat.
Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce slightly thickens and the flavors are well combined. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 4: Fry the Crispy Chicken

In a shallow dish, combine the flour, salt, pepper, and paprika. Mix well.
Remove the chicken pieces from the buttermilk marinade, allowing any excess liquid to drip off. Dredge each chicken piece thoroughly in the flour mixture, ensuring it’s completely coated.
Heat the vegetable oil in a medium heavy-bottomed pan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until it reaches 350-375°F (175-190°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, a small piece of flour dropped in should sizzle immediately. Working in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, carefully place the coated chicken pieces into the hot oil. Fry for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C).
Remove the fried chicken from the oil and place on a wire rack set over paper towels to drain excess oil and maintain crispness.

Step 5: Assemble Your Fried Chicken Sliders

Take the bottom half of a slider bun. Place one piece of warm, crispy fried chicken on top.
Generously top the chicken with a spoonful of the tangy mustard BBQ sauce.
Add a few slices of your homemade pickles for that essential crunch and tang.
Place the top half of the slider bun. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

*The Homemade Pickles recipe is slightly adapted from a refrigerator bread and butter pickle recipe.

*Nutritional calculations provided are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

Courses Appetizers, Main Course, Game Day Food

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 12 sliders

Amount Per Serving
Calories 259
% Daily Value
Total Fat 13 g		20%
	Saturated Fat 2 g	10%
Cholesterol 19 mg		6%
Sodium 413 mg		17%
Total Carbohydrates 26 g		9%
	Dietary Fiber 1 g	4%
	Sugars 8 g
Protein 12 g		24%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Choosing the Right Bun for Your Sliders

The bun is an integral part of any slider experience, providing the soft, slightly sweet foundation that complements the rich and savory fillings. For these **Fried Chicken Sliders**, we highly recommend Pepperidge Farm Slider Buns. Their commitment to quality, premium ingredients, and variety of flavors (including White, Sesame, Potato, Sweet & Soft, and Wheat) ensure a consistent, delicious base for your culinary creations. A good bun holds up to the fillings without becoming soggy, offering the perfect texture contrast to the crispy chicken.

More Game Day & Appetizer Inspiration

Looking to round out your game day spread or find more easy slider recipes? These Fried Chicken Sliders are just the beginning! Here are some other amazing #FootballFoods recipes to inspire your next gathering:

Bacon Jalapeno Palm Poppers by Palatable Pastime
Baked Coconut Shrimp with Spicy Orange Dipping Sauce by Everyday Eileen
Buffalo Chicken Taquitos by The Redhead Baker
Butternut Squash Pizzettas by A Day in the Life on the Farm
Cheese Chili Tots by Frugal Pantry
Cheeseburger Bombs by Cookaholic Wife
Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Lasagna by Cooking With Carlee
Chipotle Peach Meatballs by Sew You Think You Can Cook
Fiesta Ranch Crispy Baked Wings by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
Fried Chicken Sliders by Strawberry Blondie Kitchen
Ham and Swiss Sliders by Family Around The Table
Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
Instant Pot Cheesy Southwestern Spinach Dip by Kate’s Recipe Box
Mini Zucchini Pizzas by Jolene’s Recipe Journal
Philly Steak Appetizer by The Freshman Cook
Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Chili by Karen’s Kitchen Stories
Texas Trash Party Mix by Amy’s Cooking Adventures
Tomatillo and Pork Chili by Simple and Savory
Warm White Bean Dip by Bear & Bug Eats

And for a comprehensive collection of game day favorites and other easy slider ideas, be sure to check here for more inspiration!