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★ Why You'll Love this Recipe ★
Just 5 Minutes of Prep
These oven-baked chicken pesto sliders require just 5 minutes of prep and make a perfect appetizer for any gathering.
Appetizer, Lunch or Dinner
These little sandwiches also make a nice little lunch for a family and my family would even consider these dinner.
Make Ahead of TIme
Assemble ahead of time and bake right before serving for a fast meal.
Deliciously Simple
Made with rotisserie chicken, store-bought or homemade pesto and cheese, all baked into a soft Hawaiian roll. The garlic-butter topping adds flavor and the perfect amount of toasted crunch.
★ Ingredients You'll Need ★
You'll need a total of just 7 ingredients to make these sliders making prep a breeze.
Here's a look at everything you'll need:
- Hawaiian rolls. You can use savory butter rolls or the more sweeter original Hawaiian rolls. I really like the savory butter rolls but you choose your favorite. Choose King's Hawaiian or bakery fresh.
- Shredded chicken. You can use leftover chicken, canned chicken, or I love to use rotisserie chicken.
- Mozzarella cheese. This cheese adds melty perfection.
- Parmesan cheese. Parmesan adds extra flavor and makes the pesto really pop.
- Basil pesto. You can use store-bought jarred pesto to save time or whip up your own. If you need a recipe, check out my go-to pesto sauce recipe made with spinach and basil.
- Butter and garlic powder. These combine forces to create a simple topping you'll brush onto the tops of the rolls to get that crispy, golden-brown perfection.
Optional: You can garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving if you'd like. I think a little sprinkle of green makes almost any dish look nicer. Great for if you're entertaining and want to dress up this appetizer a bit.
★ How to Make this Recipe ★
These sliders and very easy to make. Here's a look at the steps:
- Slice the rolls.
- Brush with butter-garlic sauce.
- Spread a layer of pesto sauce.
- Add chicken and mozzarella cheese.
- Brush with more butter-garlic sauce then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
- Bake then garnish if desired before serving.
Super easy! So good. Super simple 5-minute prep.
★ Tips & FAQs ★
Using store-bought pesto is definitely a convenient option and can save you time in the kitchen. However, if you have the time, making homemade pesto can add a personal touch and allow you to adjust the flavors to your liking. Try my favorite homemade spinach-pesto recipe.
Soft slider rolls or dinner rolls work best for Chicken Pesto Sliders. You can choose mini brioche buns, Hawaiian rolls, or any other small, soft rolls that can hold the chicken mixture without overpowering the flavors. I prefer the non-sweet Hawaiian rolls but feel free to experiment and go with what you and your family enjoy.
You sure can. To prepare these chicken pesto sliders in advance, just assemble the sliders, cover with foil, and refrigerate until you're ready to bake. This is a great option for party planning and you have a lot of different dishes you are serving or if you don't want to have to be prepping while having guests over.
Other dishes that go well with these sliders include a simple green salad, broccoli slaw, or a fruit salad. Chips, fries, or vegetable sticks with dip are also great choices to complement the flavors of the sliders if serving these as more of a lunch.
Sure! Feel free to get creative with your sliders. Add sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, or roasted red peppers for extra flavor and freshness. Experimenting with different cheeses can also add a unique twist to the sliders. A drizzle of Italian dressing can also be a nice touch; add after baking.
Chicken Pesto Sliders are perfect for serving a crowd. The small, bite-sized portions make them an ideal finger food for parties, gatherings, or any event where you want to offer a tasty and convenient snack.
To keep them warm after baking, place the whole pan on a heated surface, set to warm. Shop food warmers on amazon.
You can create a vegetarian version by substituting the chicken with grilled vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and mushrooms. You can also try using plant-based "meats" in place of the chicken.
★ More Slider Recipes ★
More Football Food
Looking for more appetizers perfect for game day? Browse all my favorite football food.
Chicken Pesto Sliders
Ingredients
- 12 Hawaiian rolls sweet or savory butter
- 5 tablespoon butter divided
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2-3 cups shredded cooked chicken adjust the amount to your liking
- ⅓ cup basil pesto
- ⅓ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese grated or shredded
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Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325º F. Line a baking sheet or 9x13 casserole dish with parchment paper.
- Without separating rolls individually, use a long bread knife to slice the buns (making tops and bottoms). Place bottom layer onto the parchment paper.
- Melt butter in a microwave-safe bowl for 1 minute, stirring halfway.Add garlic powder to the melted butter and stir to combine.Brush, the top of the bottom layer of buns with the butter mixture (using about half of the mixture).
- Spread pesto over the butter layer.Next layer shredded chicken.Top chicken with shredded mozzarella cheese.Place top layer of Hawaiian rolls over the shredded cheese layer.
- Brush tops and edges of the rolls with the remaining butter mixture.Sprinkle with Parmesan.
- Cover rolls loosely with aluminum foil. Bake at 325ºF for 15 minutes.Remove foil and continue to cook the sliders for 8-10 minutes or until warmed throughout and tops are golden.
- Slice to separate sliders and serve warm.Sprinkle with some chopped parsley for an optional garnish.
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