With crispy chicken tenders enveloped in a soft bun, these Chicken Tender Sliders are truly remarkable! Gooey Colby Jack cheese, ripe tomatoes, and fresh lettuce, all complemented by a generous layer of honey Dijon butter, make these sliders a dish you simply must try.
By now, it’s quite well known that I adore sliders! They present an incredibly simple family meal option—everyone loves them, and they’re quite easy to whip up. My personal compilation features over a dozen slider recipes, continually growing. Shredded Chicken Sliders, Big Mac Sliders, Italian Grinder Sliders… the options are endless!
For my most recent slider creation, I was excited to use chicken tenders. I absolutely love chicken tender subs—the perfect harmony of crispy coating and tender meat is nothing short of delightful! So, it made perfect sense to merge these two ideas into one delicious dish, leading to the birth of these Hawaiian Roll Chicken Tender Sliders!
This recipe was an immediate hit with my family. Seriously, who could turn down crispy chicken tenders combined with melty cheese, fresh lettuce, and juicy tomatoes, all tucked within soft Hawaiian rolls?
Why I ADORE this recipe!
- Only 10 minutes for prep – I love how quickly they come together. Just a few minutes to prepare, followed by 20 minutes in the oven!
- Perfect for game day or any event – Sliders are a time-honored choice for game day, but these easy chicken tender sliders are also wonderful for lunches and dinners.
- Incredibly family-friendly – This dish is particularly appealing to children. After all, it showcases their favorite—chicken tenders! Plus, the smaller portion is just right for tiny hands.
- Tiny size, enormous flavor – These chicken tender sliders crafted with Hawaiian rolls are petite yet packed with flavor! Crispy chicken pieces, Colby Jack cheese, fresh veggies, and soft rolls topped with buttery honey mustard—what could be better?!
Recipe Notes
This Chicken Tender Sliders recipe is just as simple as it sounds! It requires only eight ingredients and 30 minutes to create a meal that the entire family will love.
In this section, I’ll share some practical tips and tricks to ensure your Chicken Tender Sliders turn out absolutely delicious.
Don’t forget to scroll down for the COMPLETE recipe card at the end.
Ingredients + Substitutions
- Hawaiian rolls – There’s nothing like the sweetness and fluffiness of Hawaiian rolls for sliders! I usually choose King’s Hawaiian brand, but any pack of dinner rolls will work as well.
- Chicken tenders – You can either prepare my crispy-baked chicken tenders, or for a faster option, grab some from the freezer aisle for easy chicken tender sliders.
- Colby Jack cheese – A mixture of Colby and Monterey Jack cheese, Colby Jack offers a wonderful flavor and creamy melt that is ideal. You may also substitute with other cheeses if preferred.
- Lettuce – Crisp shreds of iceberg lettuce provide a refreshing, crunchy contrast that pairs beautifully with these fried chicken tender sliders. Romaine lettuce is also a fantastic choice.
- Tomatoes – Sweet, juicy tomatoes are a lovely addition to Chicken Tender Sliders! If there’s someone in your group who’s not keen on tomatoes, it’s easy to set aside a portion of sliders without them.
- Honey mustard glaze – A blend of melted butter, Dijon mustard, and honey brushed onto the sliders gives them a delightful buttery sweetness and savory flavor.
- Buffalo Chicken Tender Sliders – Heat 1/4 cup of buffalo sauce with 2 tablespoons of butter, then toss the chopped chicken tenders in the mixture before following the recipe as directed. Serve with blue cheese or ranch dressing for dipping.
- Grilled Chicken Tender Sliders – Swap out regular chicken tenders for grilled ones, or consider my oven-baked chicken tenders for a breading-free alternative.
Begin by preheating your oven to 350ËšF.
For the glaze, mix melted butter, mustard, and honey in a bowl, whisking until well combined.
Next, chop the chicken tenders into bite-sized pieces on a cutting board.
Cut the Hawaiian rolls in half. Arrange the bottom halves in a baking dish, layer cheese on top, then distribute the chopped chicken tenders evenly. Replace the tops of the rolls and brush with honey mustard glaze.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until everything is heated through and the cheese is melted. *see note
After baking, lift off the tops with a spatula, add shredded lettuce and slices of Roma tomatoes, then replace the tops and serve right away.
- If you prefer a more toasted top, bake without covering. For softer sandwiches, cover them while baking and extend the time by a couple of minutes.
- Instead of Hawaiian rolls, consider using a different type of dinner or slider rolls.
- For cheese, alternatives include Cheddar, American, Provolone, or Monterey Jack.
Other suitable cheeses include: Mild cheddar, provolone, or American cheese.
Be sure to review the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the complete ingredient list and proportions.
Recipe Variations
If you love this recipe as much as we do and want to try something different, these simple suggestions will provide some variety!
– **BBQ Chicken Tender Sliders** – Prior to baking, drizzle 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce over the chicken tenders. You can also swap out the lettuce and tomato for thinly sliced red onion.
– **Hot Honey Chicken Tender Sliders** – In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup of honey with 1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes and 1 teaspoon of your favorite hot sauce. Once you have topped the rolls with chopped chicken tenders, drizzle the spicy honey mix on top. You might also want to add thick slices of pickles along with the vegetables.
## Recipe Step by Step
Here, I’ll summarize some key steps in the recipe, but **make sure to check the recipe card for comprehensive instructions** on creating the Chicken Tender Sliders.
## Recipe Tips
1. **Layer cheese above the chicken** – This will help keep moisture from the chicken from soaking into the rolls, ensuring the sliders remain crisp.
2. **Choose your covering method based on preference** – If you like softer sliders, cover them with foil while baking. On the other hand, if you prefer a crispier top, leave them uncovered and extend the baking time by a few minutes.
## Recipe Short Cuts
If you’re pressed for time but still want to prepare this recipe, consider these tips for a quicker process!
– **Choose pre-shredded lettuce** – Ready-to-use shredded lettuce can often be found in the grocery store’s salad section, saving you time on washing and chopping.
– **Select frozen chicken tenders** – You can find frozen chicken tenders at the grocery store; simply follow the baking instructions and add them to your sliders.
– **Or pick up fried chicken tenders from the deli!** – Deli chicken tenders can significantly cut down your preparation time for these sliders.
– **Prepare in advance** – If you are preparing crispy chicken tenders for another meal, consider making an extra batch to set aside for these sliders later. Leftover chicken tenders can be refrigerated for up to three days.
If you’re looking for an easy game day recipe or a family-friendly sandwich, these Chicken Tender Sliders are perfect! They feature crispy breaded chicken tenders, gooey cheese, fresh lettuce, and tomato on soft Hawaiian buns, brushed with a butter honey Dijon glaze. Made using Kings Hawaiian rolls, these sliders are a simple yet delicious chicken sliders recipe!
Ideal Pairings for Chicken Tenders Sliders
This protein-rich dish features the appealing tastes of crispy breaded chicken, ensuring it complements a variety of beloved side dishes.
Choose one or several of these sides to create a balanced, fulfilling meal. You’ll discover both classic choices and lighter options to keep things refreshing.
Recommended Side Dishes
Storing Leftover Chicken Tenders Sliders
If you happen to have some leftovers from this meal…
To keep them fresh, divide the leftovers into portions suitable for meals, and then place them in an airtight container before refrigerating:
Frequently Asked Questions about the Recipe
How many sliders should each person have for dinner?
As a starter, I recommend allowing for one or two sliders per person. However, for dinner, I usually suggest up to three per person. This Chicken Tender Sliders recipe is designed to serve a family of four.
What exactly is a chicken tender?
A chicken tender is the long, thin strip located on the underside of the chicken breast.
Additional Simple Chicken Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, I invite you to take a moment to discover more easy recipes for another busy night.
Feel free to explore all of my simple chicken recipes here, or check out some of our readers’ favorites below.
Ingredients for the Honey Mustard Glaze
Substitutions:Â
Storage Instructions: Divide any leftovers into meal-sized portions and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.Â
Reheating Instructions: Reheat in the microwave for 30-second bursts, or cover with foil and warm in the oven.
Scaling the Recipe: This recipe can easily be doubled for larger gatherings or halved for smaller servings.
Serving: 2sliders, Calories: 431kcal (22%), Carbohydrates: 36g (12%), Protein: 30g (60%), Total Fat: 19g (29%), Saturated Fat: 10g (63%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 104mg (35%), Sodium: 496mg (22%), Potassium: 520 mg (15%), Dietary Fiber: 1 g (4%), Sugar: 11 g (12%), Vitamin A: 6430 IU (129%), Vitamin C: 18 mg (22%), Calcium: 228 mg (23%), Iron: 1 mg (6%)
