These Nashville Hot Honey Butter Chicken Sliders are packed with spicy, sweet, and savory flavor in every bite. They’re perfect for parties, game day, or an easy weeknight dinner.

Nashville Hot Honey Butter Chicken Sliders

Nashville hot honey butter chicken sliders are a bold twist on a Southern favorite.

They’re made with crispy chicken tossed in a sweet and spicy honey butter sauce, and added to Hawaiian rolls with plenty of pickles.

The result is a delicious easy-to-eat sandwich.

We love these sliders because they bring big flavor without a lot of effort.

Using frozen chicken keeps prep simple.

These are perfect for game day, parties, tailgates, or casual weekend dinners.

The “Nashville hot” flavor comes from Nashville, Tennessee, where hot chicken became popular for its spicy kick and bold seasoning.

This slider version takes that classic idea and gives it a sweet honey butter twist, making it a fun and shareable way to enjoy the flavors at home.

Ingredients

Crispy boneless chicken bites: You can use any brand of frozen chicken nuggets or bites, but ones with a crunchy coating work best for holding the sauce.

Hawaiian rolls: These are soft, slightly sweet, and perfect for sliders. Slice them as a whole sheet to make assembly quicker.

Mayonnaise: A perfect creamy layer for the bottom or you can swap it out for spicy mayo if you want extra heat.

Garlic powder: This adds a little flavor to the mayo without being too strong. Mix it in well so it spreads evenly.

Unsalted butter: Melt this for the hot honey butter sauce. We use unsalted.

Honey: Balances the heat from the hot sauce and cayenne. You can use more or less depending on how sweet you like it.

Frank’s Red Hot sauce: You can use a different brand, but this one gives the best flavor.

Paprika: Adds color and a bit of smoky flavor. Smoked paprika works too if you want a deeper taste.

Cayenne powder: This brings the heat, so adjust to your spice preference. If you want it milder, use less or skip it.

Pickle chips: These cool down the heat and give the sliders a crunchy bite. Dill pickles work best.

How to Make

Cook the chicken bites in the air fryer or oven according to the package instructions.

Slice the Hawaiian rolls across the middle as one sheet and remove the top layer.

In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise and garlic powder together.

Spread the mayo mixture evenly over the bottom half of the rolls.

In a large bowl, add the melted butter, honey, hot sauce, paprika, and cayenne powder.

Stir until everything is well combined.

Add the cooked chicken to the bowl and toss until all the pieces are fully coated in the sauce.

Place the sauced chicken evenly over the mayo-covered rolls.

Add pickle slices on top of the chicken.

Carefully place the top half of the rolls back on.

Slice into individual sliders using a sharp knife.

Some pickles or chicken might get cut—don’t worry, that’s normal.

Serve and enjoy.

Tips & Tricks

Here’s some tips for making the best sliders:

Use pre-cooked frozen chicken bites: Save time by using frozen chicken—just heat them according to the package and toss in the sauce.

Slice rolls all at once: Keep the Hawaiian rolls connected when slicing to make layering and cutting neater and easier.

Adjust the spice level: For extra heat, add more cayenne or a splash of hot sauce to the mayo; for a milder version, reduce the hot sauce and skip the cayenne.

Prevent soggy buns: Toast the bottom half of the rolls for a few minutes before adding the chicken to help them stay firm.

Try different pickles: Use spicy pickles or bread-and-butter pickles to switch up the flavor.

Double the sauce: Make extra hot honey butter sauce and store it in the fridge for wings, sandwiches, or veggies.

Use chicken tenders: Swap chicken bites with crispy chicken tenders if you prefer a bigger bite.

Hold sliders together: Stick toothpicks into each slider if serving at a party—they help keep everything in place.

Warm rolls before slicing: If your rolls are too soft or sticky, microwave for 5–10 seconds to make slicing easier.

Leftovers/Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Reheat the chicken and the buns separately (can be at the same time, but not assembled to help prevent the bread from being soggy) in the oven or air fryer at 350°F until warmed through..

You can freeze the cooked and assembled sliders (without pickles) by wrapping tightly in foil and placing in a freezer bag for up to 2 months.