Description
These Cheesy Garlic Pesto Chicken Sliders are a delightful blend of shredded chicken, basil pesto, and melted mozzarella cheese tucked inside soft slider buns. Perfect for parties, game day, or a family-friendly main course, these sliders combine savory garlic butter and Italian seasoning with a golden baked finish for a comforting and flavorful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Slider Ingredients
- 1 pound cooked shredded chicken breast
- 12 slider buns or Hawaiian rolls
- 1/2 cup basil pesto
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garlic Butter Topping
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the sliders.
- Prepare the buns: Slice the slider buns horizontally in half and arrange the bottom halves in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish to form the base layer.
- Mix the chicken filling: In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken with basil pesto. Season with salt and pepper to taste, ensuring the mixture is well coated.
- Assemble the sliders: Spread the pesto chicken mixture evenly over the bottom half of the buns. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan evenly over the chicken layer. Place the top halves of the buns over the cheese and filling to close each slider.
- Make the garlic butter: In a small bowl, mix melted butter with minced garlic and Italian seasoning. Brush this flavorful mixture generously over the tops of the buns.
- Bake covered: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. This will meld the flavors and start melting the cheese.
- Finish baking uncovered: Remove the foil from the dish and bake for another 5 to 7 minutes, or until the tops of the buns are golden brown and the cheese has fully melted.
- Serve warm: Remove from the oven and serve the sliders warm for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- Rotisserie chicken is an excellent shortcut to save time while maintaining flavor.
- For extra flavor and freshness, add a slice of tomato or a handful of spinach inside the sliders before baking.
- You can assemble the sliders ahead of time, refrigerate them covered, and bake just before serving to save prep time on the day of your event.
