Pulled Chicken Sliders with Creamy Coleslaw

These pulled chicken sliders with creamy coleslaw are the answer to every casual dinner, game day spread, and potluck invitation you will ever get. They are saucy, a little smoky, topped with the coolest, creamiest coleslaw, and absolutely impossible to eat just one of. I make these constantly for gatherings, and the pan is always empty before anything else on the table.

The beauty of this recipe is how simple it actually is. Chicken thighs cook up tender and shreddable in about 25 minutes, then get tossed in a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce. The coleslaw comes together in 5 minutes and gets better as it sits. Stack everything on soft slider buns and you have a crowd-pleaser that requires almost zero effort.

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Pulled Chicken Sliders with Creamy Coleslaw

Saucy BBQ pulled chicken piled high on soft slider buns with a cool, creamy homemade coleslaw. Perfect for game days, parties, or an easy weeknight dinner the whole family will devour.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs or use rotisserie chicken
• 1 cup BBQ sauce your favorite brand
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 12 slider buns
• 3 cups shredded coleslaw mix
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp honey
• salt and pepper to taste

Method

 

1. Make the coleslaw: whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and honey. Toss with coleslaw mix. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
2. Season chicken thighs with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook chicken 6 to 7 minutes per side until cooked through. Remove and shred with two forks.
4. Return shredded chicken to the skillet. Add BBQ sauce, chicken broth, and brown sugar. Stir to combine and simmer 5 to 10 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the chicken.
5. Toast slider buns lightly if desired.
6. Pile pulled chicken onto the bottom buns, top generously with creamy coleslaw, and add the top bun. Serve immediately.

Notes

Rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut here. Just shred it and toss with the BBQ sauce mixture. Make the coleslaw at least 30 minutes ahead so the flavors meld. It keeps well in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Why Chicken Thighs Make the Best Pulled Chicken

I always use boneless skinless chicken thighs for pulled chicken and here is why: they stay moist and flavorful even after shredding, while chicken breasts can dry out quickly. Thighs have just enough fat to keep everything juicy and they pull apart into the most satisfying shreds. That said, if you are in a real hurry, a rotisserie chicken is absolutely the move. Just pull the meat, toss it in the BBQ sauce mixture, and you are done in 15 minutes flat. I keep a good slow cooker on hand for days when I want to set the chicken in the morning and come home to it ready to shred by dinner.

The Coleslaw Makes Everything Better

Do not skip the coleslaw. I know some people are coleslaw skeptics, but this version is not the thick, mayo-heavy kind that weighs everything down. It is light, tangy, just a little sweet, and the cool crunch against the warm, saucy chicken is genuinely perfect. Make it at least 30 minutes before you plan to eat so the cabbage softens slightly and all the flavors come together. It keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to two days, so you can make it ahead without any stress.

Make It Your Own

Swap the BBQ sauce for a buffalo sauce and blue cheese crumbles for a spicy twist. Add a few slices of dill pickle for extra tang. Use Hawaiian rolls instead of regular slider buns for a slightly sweet, pillowy bite. You can also top with pepper jack cheese and broil the assembled sliders for a minute or two to get that gorgeous melty cheese pull moment. These are very hard to mess up no matter what direction you take them.

The Bottom Line

Pulled chicken sliders with creamy coleslaw are the ultimate crowd food. They are easy to scale up, easy to eat, and absolutely packed with flavor in every bite. Whether it is a casual Tuesday or a big game day party, this recipe always delivers. Make them once and they will become your go-to for every occasion.

xo, Pam