Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders

Chicken bacon ranch sliders are the ultimate crowd-pleaser that brings everyone to the table with smiles! These little sandwiches are packed with tender shredded chicken, crispy bacon, melty Colby Jack cheese, and that irresistible ranch flavor we all crave. They’re baked on soft Hawaiian rolls with a buttery topping that makes them absolutely impossible to resist.

Love More Sliders? Try My French Dip Sliders or this Ham and Cheese Sliders next.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• So easy it feels like cheating – Just layer, bake, and watch them disappear!
• Perfect for any gathering – Game day, potlucks, weeknight dinners, or birthday parties
• Everyone loves the flavor combo – Ranch, bacon, and cheese? It’s a guaranteed win
• Make-ahead friendly – Prep them early and pop them in the oven when you’re ready
• Uses simple, everyday ingredients – No fancy shopping trips required

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Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Sliders:

• 12 Hawaiian-style slider buns (the sweet, soft ones – they’re perfection)
• 1 lb cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie chicken is your best friend here!)
• 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled (cook it crispy for the best texture)
• 2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese (or use cheddar if that’s what you have)
• ½ cup ranch dressing (your favorite brand works great)
• 2 teaspoons ranch seasoning mix (the dry packet kind)

For the Buttery Topping:

• ¼ cup butter, melted (salted butter adds extra flavor)

Optional:

• Extra ranch dressing for serving (because you can never have too much ranch!)

Why These Ingredients Work

Hawaiian slider buns are the secret weapon in this recipe because their soft, slightly sweet texture contrasts beautifully with the savory filling. The shredded chicken soaks up all that creamy ranch dressing and seasoning, creating juicy, flavorful bites in every slider.

Bacon adds that crispy, smoky element we all crave, while Colby Jack cheese melts into gooey perfection without being too heavy. The ranch seasoning gives an extra punch of flavor beyond just the dressing, making sure every bite is packed with that signature tang.

And that melted butter brushed on top? It turns the buns golden and creates an irresistible buttery crust that makes these sliders truly special.

Essential Tools and Equipment

• 9×13-inch baking dish – Perfect size for 12 sliders
• Mixing bowl – For combining the chicken and ranch
• Pastry brush – For brushing that gorgeous butter on top
• Aluminum foil – Keeps everything moist while baking
• Sharp serrated knife – For slicing the buns in half

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat and Prep Your Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This gives you time to get everything ready while the oven warms up perfectly.

Step 2: Slice the Buns

Slice the slider buns in half horizontally, keeping the tops and bottoms intact as one sheet. This trick makes assembly so much easier and keeps everything neat!

Step 3: Start Building

Place the bottom halves of the buns in your baking dish. They should fit snugly together, which helps them stay soft and steamy while baking.

Step 4: Mix the Chicken Filling

In a bowl, mix the shredded chicken with the ranch dressing and ranch seasoning until every piece is well coated. This is where all that flavor magic happens!

Step 5: Layer the Chicken

Spread the chicken mixture evenly over the bottom buns, making sure to get it all the way to the edges. No one wants a dry corner slider!

Step 6: Add the Bacon

Sprinkle the crumbled bacon over the chicken layer. Try to distribute it evenly so every slider gets its fair share of that crispy, smoky goodness.

Step 7: Pile on the Cheese

Top everything with the shredded Colby Jack cheese. Don’t be shy – a good cheese layer is what makes these sliders so melty and delicious!

Step 8: Top and Butter

Place the top halves of the buns over the filling, then brush the melted butter generously over the tops. Get into all those little crevices for maximum flavor!

Step 9: Bake Covered

Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and everything is heated through. The foil keeps the buns soft and helps the cheese melt perfectly.

Step 10: Slice and Serve

Remove from the oven, let them cool for just a minute or two, then slice into individual sliders.

You Must Know

The key to perfect sliders is keeping that top layer of buns connected while baking and only slicing them apart at the very end. This steams the buns and keeps them incredibly soft and pillowy.

Don’t skip the foil cover during baking or your tops will get too crispy and the cheese won’t melt properly. Also, make sure your chicken is already fully cooked and cooled before mixing it with the ranch dressing, otherwise the dressing can get runny and slide right off.

Personal Secret: I like to sprinkle just a tiny bit of extra ranch seasoning over the cheese layer before adding the top buns. It creates these little pockets of concentrated ranch flavor that make people wonder what your secret is! Also, letting the sliders sit for about 2 minutes after baking helps the cheese set slightly, making them easier to handle and less messy to eat.

Pro Tips & Cooking Hacks

• Use rotisserie chicken to save time – It’s already seasoned and saves you 30 minutes of cooking
• Cook bacon in the oven – Lay it on a baking sheet at 400°F for 15-18 minutes for perfectly crispy, hands-off bacon
• Don’t overbake – 20 minutes is plenty; longer than that and the buns can get dry
• Let them rest – A 2-3 minute rest after baking helps everything set and makes slicing easier
• Brush butter on the sides too – If your buns have exposed edges, brush those with butter for extra flavor
• Double the recipe easily – Use two 9×13 pans and keep one warm while the other bakes
• Add garlic powder to the butter – Mix in ¼ teaspoon for an extra flavor boost

Flavor Variations & Suggestions

If you want to switch things up, try adding some diced jalapeños to the chicken mixture for a spicy kick that ranch lovers will adore. You can swap the Colby Jack for pepper jack cheese if you want even more heat, or use mild cheddar if you’re feeding picky eaters.

Some families love adding a handful of chopped green onions or chives to the chicken mixture for a fresh, oniony bite. For a Buffalo twist, mix a tablespoon of hot sauce into the ranch dressing before coating the chicken.

If you’re not a bacon person (though I can’t imagine!), you can leave it out and add some diced tomatoes and shredded lettuce after baking for a fresh take. Some people even like to add a thin layer of cream cheese on the bottom buns before adding the chicken for extra creaminess.

Make-Ahead Options

These sliders are fantastic for prepping ahead, which makes them perfect for busy days or entertaining. You can assemble the entire dish up to 24 hours before baking, just cover it tightly with plastic wrap and keep it in the refrigerator.

When you’re ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes, then add the melted butter on top and bake as directed. You might need to add an extra 5 minutes to the baking time if they’re coming straight from the fridge.

The chicken mixture can be prepared up to 2 days in advance and stored separately in an airtight container. If you want to freeze them, assemble completely but don’t add the butter or bake. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, add the butter, and bake as usual.

What to Serve With Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders

These sliders pair beautifully with simple, fresh sides that balance out their richness. A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette cuts through the creamy ranch perfectly, while classic coleslaw adds that cool, crunchy contrast everyone loves.

For something easy, serve them with your favorite potato chips or tortilla chips and some salsa or guacamole on the side. Veggie sticks with extra ranch for dipping is always a hit, especially with kids.

If you’re making these for a party, add some fresh fruit like watermelon or grapes to lighten things up. For drinks, iced tea is classic and refreshing, or try cold lemonade for something a little sweeter. If it’s game day, keep it casual with soda or sparkling water with lime.

Allergy Information

These sliders contain several common allergens including gluten (from the buns), dairy (cheese and butter), and eggs (in the ranch dressing). For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free slider buns or small gluten-free rolls.

If you need dairy-free options, substitute the cheese with your favorite dairy-free shredded cheese and use dairy-free ranch dressing and vegan butter for brushing. The bacon is naturally gluten-free and dairy-free.

For egg-free needs, look for vegan ranch dressing or make your own egg-free version. If you have concerns about specific ingredients or cross-contamination, always check product labels carefully, especially for the ranch dressing and seasoning mix which can vary by brand.

Storage & Reheating

Store leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They’re honestly delicious cold, straight from the fridge, which makes them perfect for lunch the next day!

To reheat, wrap individual sliders in a damp paper towel and microwave for 30-45 seconds until warmed through. For reheating several at once, place them in a baking dish, cover with foil, and warm in a 300°F oven for about 10-15 minutes.

You can also reheat them in an air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes for a slightly crisper result. If you froze the baked sliders, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight and reheat using any of these methods.

Questions I Get Asked A Lot

Can I use a different type of cheese?

Absolutely! Cheddar, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or even Swiss would all be delicious. Just pick your family’s favorite and run with it!

What if I don’t have ranch seasoning mix?

No problem! You can make your own by mixing together dried parsley, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Or just use extra ranch dressing and skip the dry seasoning altogether.

Can I make these on regular-sized buns instead?

Sure thing! You’ll just have fewer sandwiches (probably 6-8 depending on bun size) and may need to adjust the baking time slightly. Keep an eye on them and pull them out when the cheese is melted.

How do I keep the buns from getting soggy?

The key is not overdoing the ranch dressing in the chicken mixture. A half cup is just right – enough for flavor but not so much that it soaks through. Also, make sure your chicken is cooled before mixing with the dressing.

Can I add vegetables to these sliders?

Of course! Some diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, or sliced avocado added after baking would be wonderful. Just keep them off during baking so they stay fresh and crisp.

💬 Tried this recipe? Leave a comment and rating below! I love hearing how these turned out for you and what your family thought. Did you add any fun twists? Share your variations with us!