Cheesy Jalapeno Bacon Chicken Sliders
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What’s Up, Hungry People
Today we’re making cheesy jalapeño bacon chicken sliders. They’re the easiest solution to feeding a crowd – or just yourself throughout the week. Three layers of cheese are broken up by jalapeños, bacon, sliced chicken, and a deliciously simple DIY ranch mayonnaise.
These sliders make for great tailgating food, party appetizers, and are even pretty good served cold in a lunch box for several days after you make them. My fiancé is out of the country right now, and frankly, I’m sick of eating Thanksgiving leftovers, so these sliders were a nice change of pace between heavy holiday meals.
I’m currently working on totally redoing my website from the ground up, so my posting schedule is going to be weird for the rest of 2019. But fear not, I’ll be back and hungrier than ever in 2020!
Here’s What You Need
- Slider buns: A soft base to hold all the delicious fillings.
- Deli chicken: Provides a savory and tender meat layer.
- Mayonnaise: Creamy base for the ranch spread.
- Onion powder: Adds a sweet and slightly sharp flavor.
- Garlic powder: Gives a savory depth to the mayo mix.
- Dill: Fresh and slightly tangy herb flavor.
- Celery salt: Adds a subtle earthy flavor.
- Fresh parsley: Brings a bright and fresh taste.
- Honey: Adds a touch of sweetness to the mayo.
- Bacon: Crispy and smoky goodness.
- Jalapeños: Adds a spicy kick.
- Pepper jack cheese: Melty and spicy cheese layer.
- Mozzarella cheese: Adds a creamy, mild cheese pull.
- American cheese: Classic, melty cheese layer.
- Butter: Makes the buns golden and flavorful.
- Black sesame seeds: Adds a nutty flavor and texture.
- Dried minced onion: Adds a sweet onion crunch.
- Dried minced garlic: Gives a mild garlic flavor.
- Dill: Adds a fresh, herby touch.
Let’s Cook
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F. While the oven’s warming up, let’s whip up our ranch mayo. In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, melted honey, onion powder, garlic powder, dill, celery salt, and fresh parsley. This mayo mix is going to bring everything together, so don’t skimp on the stirring!
Layer Up
Grab a large baking dish and arrange the bottom halves of your slider buns so that they’re all snug and touching. This will help them stay together when you pull them apart later. Spread that tasty mayo mix evenly over the bottom buns.
Now, let’s get layering. Start with the pepper jack cheese – it’s going to get all melty and delicious. Next, pile on the deli chicken slices, followed by the crumbled bacon and diced jalapeños. Then, sprinkle on the shredded mozzarella or place a fresh mozzarella pearl on each bun. Top it all off with the slices of American cheese. Pop the tops of the buns back on, and we’re ready for the next step.
Butter Bath
In a separate bowl, melt the butter. Stir in the black sesame seeds, dried minced onion, dried minced garlic, and a bit more dill. Pour this buttery mix over the tops of the buns. Use a basting brush to make sure it’s spread out evenly, covering every nook and cranny.
Bake Time
Slide that baking dish into your preheated oven and bake for 20-30 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the sandwiches are heated through, and the cheese is perfectly melted. If you can’t wait, sneak a peek about halfway through to see the magic happening.
Once baked, use a knife to pre-cut the sliders in the pan. This makes them easier to serve and less messy when you dig in. Enjoy them hot out of the oven, or chill them for a perfect next-day lunch.
Tips and Troubleshooting
- Avoid soggy buns: Make sure to spread the mayo mixture evenly and not too thickly. This helps prevent the buns from getting soggy while baking.
- Spice level control: If you’re not a fan of too much heat, remove the seeds from the jalapeños before dicing them.
- Even baking: Rotate your baking dish halfway through the cooking time to ensure the sliders bake evenly and the cheese melts perfectly.
- Make-ahead magic: These sliders can be assembled a day ahead and stored in the fridge. Just add the butter mixture right before baking.
- Freezer-friendly: If you have leftovers, wrap them individually and freeze. Reheat in the oven for a quick and tasty meal later.
Cheesy jalapeño bacon chicken sliders are the perfect bite-sized snack for any occasion, whether it’s game day, a party, or just a weekday lunch. The layers of gooey cheese, spicy jalapeños, and crispy bacon create a flavor explosion in every bite. Plus, they’re so easy to make, you’ll have more time to relax and enjoy. I hope you give these sliders a try and love them as much as I do. Stay tuned for more delicious recipes coming your way soon!
Cheesy Jalapeno Bacon Chicken Sliders
Equipment
- glass pans
Ingredients
- 12 slider buns
- 16 oz deli chicken sliced thin
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dill
- 1 teaspoon celery salt
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley finely chopped
- ¼ cup honey melted
- ½ cup bacon cooked & crumbled
- 2 jalapenos diced
- 8 slices pepperjack cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzrella cheese or fresh mozzarella pearls, one per slider
- 12 slices American cheese
- ½ cup butter melted
- ½ tablespoon black sesame seeds
- ½ tablespoon dried minced onion
- ½ teaspoon dried minced garlic
- ½ tablespoon dill
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, melted honey, onion powder, garlic powder, dill, celery salt, and fresh parsley.
- Arrange the bottom halves of the slider buns in a large baking dish so that the edges of the buns are all touching. Spread the mayo mix over the bottoms of the buns.
- Then layer on the pepper jack cheese, chicken, bacon, jalapeno, mozzarella, and American cheese. Place the tops back on the buns.
- In a separate bowl, melt the butter and stir in the sesame seeds, dried onion, dried garlic, and dill. Pour the butter over the tops of the buns. Use a basting brush to spread the butter out evenly across the buns.
- Bake for 20-30 minutes, until the sandwiches are heated through and the cheese is melted. Use a knife to precut the sandwiches in the pan. Remove and serve hot or chill and serve later. Enjoy!
