AmericanChickenDinnerEgg-FreeGluten FreeInstant PotSheet PanSlow CookerUnder 60 Min
September 9th, 2024
Prep Time 10 minutesminutes
Cook Time 20 minutesminutes
Buffalo Chicken Sliders are the key to a great dinner. With a flavorful buffalo sauce that can be customized to spiciness levels suitable for the whole family, this recipe is full of flavor and love! With a simple prep, this easy meal is perfect for your freezer meal rotation.
Made with simple ingredients, likely already in your pantry, these Buffalo Chicken Sliders will slow down time and bring you back to your youth. With just the right amount of kick added to your step, Buffalo Chicken Sliders are the taste of a dip in handheld form. Prepared as a Raw Freezer Meal, these slides can be easily prepped, and stored, waiting for the right day to be used. Are you ready to learn how to impress your guests on the next game day? Let’s jump in and get prepping.
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Buffalo Chicken Sliders Freezer Meal Recipe
Buffalo Chicken Sliders are the key to a great dinner. With a flavorful buffalo sauce that can be customized to spiciness levels suitable for the whole family, this recipe is full of flavor and love! With a simple prep, this easy meal is perfect for your freezer meal rotation.
Slow Cooker/Grill/Instant Pot Dependent on cooking method
Ingredients
2-3lbsChicken thighsboneless/skinless
Buffalo Sauce (Blend Together)
1cupFrank's Hot Sauce
2tbspSoy sauce
2tspApple cider vinegar
4tspGarlic powder
4tbspOlive oil
1 1/2tspDried dill
2 tspOnion powder
1tspSalt
For Serving:
Sweet Hawaiian Rolls
Blue Cheese (provolone)
Ranch dressing
Instructions
Prep | Freezer Directions
Prepare a gallon freezer bag, labeling according to your preferred method.
Blend together in a high-speed blender the sauce ingredients. You may want to scrape the sides once or twice.
Add 1/2 cup buffalo sauce + chicken thighs into the freezer bag. Reserving the remaining sauce for the day of cooking. (Store reserved sauce in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.)
Seal bag, remove as much air as possible, freeze for up to three months.
Slow Cooker | Cooking Directions
Thaw the freezer bag in the fridge for 12-24 hours before cooking.
Dump the contents of the freezer bag into a slow cooker.
Cook on low for 4-6 hours.
Shred chicken, stir in slow cooker, serve on Hawaiian rolls with ranch and blue cheese (or provolone)
Instant Pot | Cooking Directions:
Dump the contents of the freezer bag, plus ½ cup water, into the Instant Pot.
Set to High Pressure for 15 minutes, then allow a 10-minute natural release followed by a quick release.
Shred chicken, stir in instant pot, serve on Hawaiian rolls with ranch and blue cheese (or provolone)
Dietary Adjustments
Make it Gluten Free:
Recipe is naturally is gluten free
Serve with GF Hawaiian Rolls
Serve with GF ranch
Make it Dairy Free:
Recipe is naturally dairy free
Serve without the cheese or use a dairy free cheese replacement
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Your Questions Answered
Comment below if you have any questions we didn’t answer.
Why You’ll Love Easy Buffalo Chicken Sliders Recipe for Busy Weeknights
Quick and Easy: Can’t cook from scratch? No problem, this recipe is easy and prepared ahead of time. Minimal Prep: Just heat and serve—no need to chop, mix, or measure ingredients. Kid-Friendly: The spiciness of this recipe can be easily adjusted to allow the younger eaters to enjoy. Portion Control: Sliders are small and easy to portion, so you can make just what you need. Freezer-Friendly: Prep a big batch, freeze it, and have dinner ready with little effort on those busy nights. Crowd-Pleaser: Having guests over is a stress-free thing to do when you have this prepped and ready to go.
Equipment Needed To Make Buffalo Chicken Sliders Freezer Meals
1 gallon freezer bag 1 High speed blender 1 Large Sheet pan Slow Cooker/Grill/Instant Pot Dependent on cooking method
What to Pair with Your Best Side Dishes for Buffalo
Substitutions: Chicken Thighs → Chicken Breasts: Chicken breasts are leaner and can be used as a substitute for a slightly different texture. Replace the chicken thighs with an equal amount of boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Blue Cheese → Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Cheddar cheese provides a milder flavor that some kids might prefer. Use shredded cheddar in place of blue cheese when assembling the sliders. Sweet Hawaiian Rolls → Whole Wheat Slider Buns: Whole wheat slider buns offer a healthier alternative with more fiber.
Additions Sliced Jalapeños: Adding a kick of spice complements the buffalo flavor. Place a few slices of jalapeños on top of the chicken before adding the cheese and freezing. Cream Cheese: Cream cheese adds a creamy texture and balances the heat from the hot sauce. Spread a thin layer of cream cheese on the buns before adding the chicken and other ingredients. Sliced Pickles: Pickles add a tangy crunch that pairs well with the buffalo sauce. They freeze well inside the sandwich.
Best Way To Store Healthy Variations of Buffalo Chicken Sliders leftovers?
If you have not yet made your sandwiches, it would be best to store your filling and buns separately. If you have already created your sandwiches, no worries. Allow your recipe to cool completely.
Then wrap individually each slider in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This helps keep them fresh and prevents them from sticking together in storage. Use airtight containers or freezer bags for storage.
How Long Will Buffalo Chicken Sliders Freezer Meal Recipe Last In the Fridge?
When you have properly allowed your leftover Buffalo Chicken Sliders to cool to room temperature, and you have stored them in airtight containers, your leftover sliders should remain fresh in the fridge for three to five days.
Can I Freeze Buffalo Chicken Sliders Quick and Easy guide?
Yes! We designed this recipe to be freezer friendly as a raw freezer meal. You may also consider freezing your leftovers for a longer shelf life, but be mindful that the more times your recipe is frozen, thawed, and reheated, the more likely the texture and taste is going to be impacted.
To use this recipe as a raw freezer meal, simply blend together the sauce ingredients in a high-speed blender, and add the sauce and chicken to a gallon freezer bag. Then store in the freezer for up to three months.
How to reheat quick and delicious Buffalo Chicken Sliders?
The best way to reheat your Buffalo Chicken Sliders would be to use the microwave or the oven.
To reheat in the microwave, reheat in short intervals of 30-60 seconds, until heated through.
If you are using the oven, reheat at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes until warmed through.
What are great side dishes to go with your Buffalo Chicken Sliders?
Buffalo Chicken sliders pair with an assortment of flavorful side dishes. One favorite is crispy baked sweet potato fries. These are a popular choice because of their sweet contrast to the spicy chicken. Another great side option is a classic coleslaw, which adds a nice crunch and creaminess that balances out the heat.
To add some heartiness to your meal, consider loaded potato skins, with melted cheese and bacon bites. These sides not only enhance the overall meal experience, but problem complementary textures and flavors to your Buffalo Chicken Sliders, making it an excellent freezer meal.
What are the chicken sliders made of?
Buffalo Chicken Sliders are made with tender, juicy chicken thighs, seasoned with a blend of spices like garlic and onion powder, and dried dill. The chicken is cooked and tossed in a flavorful sauce.
Frank’s Hot Sauce, soy sauce, vinegar, and olive oil are combined to bring the buffalo sauce to the party. The sliders are then assembled together on sweet Hawaiian rolls, with some blue cheese added and a drizzle of ranch dressing.
Are sliders meant to be served hot or cold?
Sliders, including Buffalo Chicken Sliders, are best served hot. The warm, juicy chicken paired with melting cheese and the soft, slightly toasted Hawaiian roll creates a delicious combination that is perfect for any gathering.
Serving the Buffalo Chicken Sliders hot, greatly enhances the vibrant flavors and overall texture of the meal. However, if you are in a pinch, and serving hot is not an option, you can serve them cold, but reheating in the microwave or oven is recommended to bring out the best of flavor and texture.
How do you keep sliders warm for a crowd?
To keep Buffalo Chicken Sliders warm for a crowd, place them in a preheated slow cooker or a chafing dish, set to low temperature. This will maintain the warm temperature without drying them out.
If you are hosting a large gathering, you can also keep them toasty warm by using your oven, set to around 200°F, and keeping the sliders covered with aluminum foil to retain the moisture in the dish.
How many sliders per person should you prepare for a crowd?
When you are preparing your Buffalo Chicken Sliders for a crowd, consider having two to three sliders available per person. This estimate accounts for the fact that sliders are smaller than your traditional sandwiches, making them perfect for guests to enjoy alongside other side dishes.
If the main course is the slider, consider preparing 3 or more per quest, lowering that to 2 if you plan to have appetizers and side dishes available.
How do you store cooked sliders?
To store cooked Buffalo Chicken Sliders, first allow them to cool down to room temperature. Then, individually wrap each slider in plastic or aluminum foil to prevent sticking together during the storage period.
Place the wrapped sliders in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag, removing as much air as possible. You can refrigerate for up to three to five days, or freeze for up to three months.
How do you keep sliders from getting soggy?
In order to prevent your sliders from getting soggy, try to prevent excess moisture. Consider toasting the slider buns lightly before assembly, this helps create a barrier against moisture from the filling.
When you add the sauce, like ranch or buffalo sauce, apply them just before serving, rather than during storage. Also, if you are freezing the sliders, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap to prevent moisture from seeping in. Another tip is to store any moisture rich toppings separately and add them fresh when ready to serve.
What different variations can you have of a Buffalo Chicken Slider?
There are many delicious variations of Buffalo Chicken Sliders to explore. For a healthier twist, use grilled or baked chicken instead of fried, and also consider swapping out the blue cheese for a lighter option like Greek yogurt based ranch.
You can also add sliced avocado or coleslaw for extra flavor. For a spicer kick, add in some sliced jalapenos or use a hotter buffalo sauce. Want a touch of sweetness, mix some honey into your buffalo sauce.
What health substitutions can you make to make a Buffalo Chicken Slider Healthier?
There are a few simple substitutions that you can make to create a healthier version of Buffalo Chicken Sliders. First start by using whole wheat slider buns instead of Sweet Hawaiian Rolls. This will give you more added fiber and nutrients.
Consider substituting out your traditional blue cheese with a greek yogurt based ranch dressing to reduce the calorie intake. Use grilled or baked chicken, instead of frying your chicken, this cuts down on the unhealthy fats without sacrificing the flavor or your dish. Also, you can always add extra veggies like lettuce, tomatoes, or avocado to boost the nutritional value of your meal.
As a full time working mom of four, I know how hard it is to find time (or energy) to cook. That’s why I’ve spent over a decade perfecting freezer meal recipes to make sure they’re not only quick to prepare but packed with flavors the whole family will love!
