Nashville Hot Honey Butter Chicken Sliders

If you’re searching for the perfect combination of sweet heat and buttery comfort, these Nashville Hot Honey Butter Chicken Sliders are about to become your new obsession. This recipe takes inspiration from Nashville’s famous hot chicken tradition and transforms it into an easy, crowd-pleasing slider that’s ready in under 30 minutes. Whether you’re hosting game day, planning a quick weeknight dinner, or need an impressive appetizer that doesn’t require hours in the kitchen, these sliders deliver big flavor with minimal effort.

What makes these sliders truly special is the balance of flavors and textures. Crispy chicken bites get tossed in a luscious hot honey butter sauce that hits all the right notes—spicy from the cayenne and paprika, tangy from the hot sauce, sweet from the honey, and rich from the butter. The soft, slightly sweet Hawaiian rolls provide the perfect pillowy base, while the garlic mayo adds a creamy element that ties everything together. And let’s not forget the pickles—their bright, tangy crunch cuts through the richness and adds that classic Nashville hot chicken touch.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. By using pre-made frozen chicken bites, you’re cutting down on prep time without sacrificing taste. The homemade hot honey butter sauce comes together in minutes with pantry staples you likely already have on hand. And the slider assembly? It’s as easy as building one big sandwich and cutting it into individual portions. No fussy plating, no complicated techniques—just straightforward, delicious food that everyone will love.

These sliders are incredibly versatile too. Serve them at your next party and watch them disappear within minutes. Pack them for lunch and be the envy of your coworkers. Make them for dinner alongside a simple salad or crispy fries. They’re finger food at its finest, making them ideal for casual gatherings, tailgates, or even movie nights at home. Kids love them, adults crave them, and they’re substantial enough to satisfy even the heartiest appetites.

Ingredients

• 24 oz bag of crispy boneless chicken bites (or your favorite frozen chicken nuggets or bites)
• 12 count Hawaiian rolls
• 1/4 cup of mayo
• 1 tsp of garlic powder
• 3 tbsp of unsalted butter (melted)
• 1/4 cup of honey
• 2 tbsp of Frank’s RedHot hot sauce
• 1 tsp of paprika
• 1 tsp of cayenne powder
• 16 oz jar of pickle chips

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

The chicken bites are the foundation of this recipe, and while any frozen variety works beautifully, look for ones labeled as “crispy” or “extra crispy” for the best texture. Some brands to consider include Tyson Any’tizers, Perdue Simply Smart Organics, or even store-brand options. If you prefer to use fresh chicken, you can bread and fry chicken breast chunks or use popcorn chicken from your local deli—just make sure they’re hot and crispy when you toss them in the sauce.

Hawaiian rolls are non-negotiable for achieving that perfect soft, slightly sweet slider experience. King’s Hawaiian is the most widely available brand and works perfectly. These rolls stay soft and tender even after being assembled, and their sweetness complements the spicy sauce beautifully. If you absolutely can’t find Hawaiian rolls, potato rolls or brioche slider buns make decent substitutes, though you’ll lose some of that signature sweetness.

For the mayo, use full-fat mayonnaise rather than light or reduced-fat versions. The richness is essential for creating that creamy spread that balances the heat. Duke’s, Hellmann’s, or even Kewpie mayo all work wonderfully. The garlic powder gives it a subtle savory boost—don’t skip it.

The butter should be unsalted so you can control the overall saltiness of the dish. Melted butter creates the silky base for the sauce and helps the honey and hot sauce emulsify together. For the honey, any variety works, though a mild honey like clover or wildflower won’t overpower the other flavors. Local honey adds a special touch if you have access to it.

Frank’s RedHot is the classic choice for this sauce, but feel free to use your favorite Louisiana-style hot sauce. The key is using a vinegar-based hot sauce rather than something thick like sriracha or sweet chili sauce. If you want more heat, you can add extra cayenne or use a hotter sauce like Crystal or Tabasco.

The spices—paprika and cayenne—give the sauce its signature Nashville hot chicken color and kick. Regular paprika works fine, though smoked paprika adds an interesting depth if you have it on hand. Adjust the cayenne to your heat preference; one teaspoon provides a moderate kick that most people find pleasantly spicy without being overwhelming.

Finally, the pickles are essential for that authentic Nashville hot chicken experience. Dill pickle chips work best because they’re pre-sliced and ready to layer. Bread and butter pickles are too sweet for this application, so stick with dill or kosher dill varieties. Drain them well before using to avoid soggy buns.

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken and Buns

Start by preheating your air fryer or oven according to the package directions for your frozen chicken bites. Most brands recommend 400°F for about 12-15 minutes, but always check your specific package. While the chicken is cooking, you can prep everything else, making this a truly efficient recipe.

Take your package of Hawaiian rolls and, without separating them, use a long serrated knife to slice through the entire sheet horizontally. Imagine you’re cutting one giant sandwich in half—you want the top half and bottom half to stay connected as one piece. This technique makes assembly so much faster and ensures even distribution of ingredients. Place the bottom half on a large cutting board or baking sheet, and set the top half aside.

In a small bowl, combine the mayo and garlic powder, stirring until the garlic powder is evenly distributed throughout the mayo. This simple mixture transforms ordinary mayonnaise into a flavorful spread that adds moisture and prevents the buns from getting soggy. Using a butter knife or offset spatula, spread this garlic mayo evenly across the entire bottom half of the rolls. Don’t be shy—you want good coverage to create a protective barrier between the buns and the saucy chicken.

Make the Hot Honey Butter Sauce

In a large mixing bowl—big enough to hold all your chicken bites with room to toss—combine the melted butter, honey, hot sauce, paprika, and cayenne powder. Whisk these ingredients together until they form a smooth, unified sauce. The butter and honey might want to separate at first, but keep whisking and they’ll come together beautifully. The sauce should be glossy, orange-red in color, and smell absolutely incredible—spicy, sweet, and rich all at once.

When your chicken bites are done cooking, they should be golden brown and crispy. Immediately transfer them to the bowl with your hot honey butter sauce. The chicken needs to be hot when it goes into the sauce so the butter stays melted and coats evenly. Using a large spoon or tongs, toss the chicken bites in the sauce, making sure every piece gets completely coated in that gorgeous glaze. The hot chicken will help the sauce cling to every crispy ridge and crevice.

Assemble and Slice

Working quickly while everything is still warm, spread the sauced chicken evenly over the mayo-covered bottom buns. Try to distribute the pieces relatively evenly so each slider gets a good amount of chicken. Don’t worry about making it perfect—these are meant to be rustic and casual.

Next, layer your pickle chips over the chicken. Again, aim for even coverage so every bite gets that tangy crunch. You’ll probably use about half to two-thirds of the jar depending on how pickle-heavy you like your sliders. The pickles add moisture, acidity, and texture that really elevate these from good to great.

Carefully place the top half of the buns over the pickles, pressing down gently to help everything settle together. Now comes the final step: using a sharp serrated knife, cut through the entire assembled slider sheet, following the natural divisions between the rolls. Cut straight down with a sawing motion—you’ll cut through buns, pickles, and chicken as you go, and that’s completely fine. The result is 12 perfectly portioned sliders.

Serving Suggestions

Transfer the sliders to a serving platter and serve immediately while they’re still warm and the chicken is at its crispiest. These are best enjoyed fresh, though they can be kept warm in a low oven (200°F) for about 15 minutes if needed.

For serving, consider offering extra pickles on the side for pickle lovers, along with napkins—these sliders are gloriously messy in the best way possible. They pair beautifully with classic sides like coleslaw, potato salad, french fries, or even a simple green salad to balance the richness. For drinks, iced sweet tea is perfect for embracing the Southern theme, or try cold beer, lemonade, or even a crisp white wine.

If you have leftovers (though that’s unlikely), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes to recrisp the chicken. The microwave works in a pinch but won’t maintain that crispy texture.

These Nashville Hot Honey Butter Chicken Sliders prove that impressive food doesn’t have to be complicated. With just a handful of ingredients and about 20 minutes of active time, you can create something that tastes like it came from your favorite restaurant. The combination of sweet honey, spicy cayenne, buttery richness, and tangy pickles creates a flavor explosion that keeps people coming back for seconds—and thirds. Give this recipe a try and prepare to add it to your regular rotation!