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Hot Honey Chicken Sliders with Pickles and Slaw

Hot Honey Chicken Sliders with Pickles and Slaw

Hey y'all! Ready to spice up your next gathering or family dinner? These Hot Honey Chicken Sliders with Pickles and Slaw are sweet, spicy, and irresistibly crunchy, making them a show-stopping choice for parties, game days, or a fun weeknight treat. With juicy chicken, zesty pickles, and crisp slaw all packed between soft slider buns, every bite is a flavor explosion! Let's get cooking!

Why You'll Love This Hot Honey Chicken Sliders with Pickles and Slaw Recipe

  • Perfect balance of sweet heat from homemade hot honey sauce.
  • Crunchy, tangy slaw provides refreshing contrast to the spicy chicken.
  • Easy to prep ahead, making entertaining stress-free and delicious.
  • Fun, handheld size ideal for parties, tailgates, or family meals.
  • Customizable: swap proteins or toppings to suit every taste!

Ingredients for Hot Honey Chicken Sliders with Pickles and Slaw

  • 12 slider buns
  • 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup cornstarch
  • 2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • Vegetable oil, for frying
  • 1 cup sliced pickles (bread & butter or dill)
  • 2 cups shredded cabbage (green or mixed)
  • ½ cup shredded carrots
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • ½ teaspoon celery seed
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • For the hot honey:
    • ½ cup honey
    • 2 tablespoon hot sauce (Frank’s RedHot or similar)
    • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
    • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Directions: Hot Honey Chicken Sliders with Pickles and Slaw

Step 1: Marinate and Prep the Chicken

  1. In a large bowl, combine chicken thighs and buttermilk. Cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes (up to overnight for extra tenderness).

Step 2: Make the Slaw

  1. In a medium bowl, toss together shredded cabbage, carrots, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, celery seed, salt, and pepper. Cover and chill until ready to assemble.

Step 3: Prepare the Hot Honey

  1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine honey, hot sauce, red pepper flakes, and butter. Stir constantly until just bubbling and butter is melted (about 2 minutes). Remove from heat and set aside. For more on making infused honey sauces, see this Serious Eats guide.

Step 4: Coat and Fry the Chicken

  1. In a shallow dish, whisk flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
  2. Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. Dredge each thigh in the flour mixture, pressing to adhere.
  3. Heat 1 inch of vegetable oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven to 350°F (175°C).
  4. Fry chicken in batches (do not crowd the pan), 4–5 minutes per side or until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp 165°F/74°C). Transfer to a wire rack to drain.

Step 5: Assemble the Sliders

  1. Brush or drizzle hot honey over fried chicken pieces while still warm.
  2. Split slider buns. Layer each with a piece of hot honey chicken, a spoonful of slaw, and pickles. Top with the bun.
  3. Serve immediately and enjoy the sweet, spicy crunch!

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes

Hot Honey Chicken Sliders with Pickles and Slaw

Notes for Hot Honey Chicken Sliders with Pickles and Slaw

  • To save time, use pre-shredded slaw mix or store-bought slaw dressing.
  • Adjust hot honey heat by varying hot sauce or pepper flakes. See more on making hot honey.
  • Chicken can be baked at 425°F (220°C) for 18-20 minutes if you prefer not to fry.

Variations for Hot Honey Chicken Sliders with Pickles and Slaw

  • BBQ Chicken Sliders: Swap hot honey for smoky barbecue sauce.
  • Buffalo-Style Sliders: Use buffalo sauce on chicken and blue cheese slaw.
  • Vegetarian Option: Substitute crispy baked cauliflower or tofu for chicken.

Required Equipment

  • Large mixing bowls
  • Deep skillet or Dutch oven
  • Wire rack or paper towels
  • Thermometer for oil temperature
  • Tongs
  • Small saucepan

Storage Instructions for Hot Honey Chicken Sliders with Pickles and Slaw

  • Store fried chicken (without slaw and buns) in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • Slaw is best fresh but can be kept refrigerated for 2 days.
  • Reheat chicken in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10 minutes to crisp up before assembling sliders.

Suggested Pairings & Serving Recommendations

  • Serve with crispy sweet potato fries or kettle chips.
  • Pair with a cold, citrusy beer or refreshing lemonade.
  • Great alongside corn on the cob or a simple green salad for a balanced meal.

Pro Tips for the Best Hot Honey Chicken Sliders with Pickles and Slaw

  • Let fried chicken rest on a wire rack (not paper towels) to stay extra crispy. Learn more about frying chicken perfectly.
  • Don’t assemble sliders until right before serving to avoid soggy buns.
  • Use homemade pickles for an extra punch of flavor.

FAQ: Hot Honey Chicken Sliders with Pickles and Slaw

Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Yes! Chicken breast works great—just cut into slider-sized pieces and be careful not to overcook.
Is there a way to make these ahead?
Absolutely! Fry chicken and prep slaw ahead, then assemble just before serving for the best texture.
How spicy is the hot honey?
The spice level is moderate, but you can adjust the hot sauce and pepper flakes to taste.
★★★★★ 4.20 from 83 ratings

Hot Honey Chicken Sliders with Pickles and Slaw

yield: 6 servings
prep: 20 mins
cook: 20 mins
total: 40 mins
These Hot Honey Chicken Sliders with Pickles and Slaw are the perfect combination of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors. Crispy chicken tenders are drizzled with hot honey, topped with crunchy pickles and creamy slaw, and served on soft slider buns for an irresistible bite-sized meal.
Hot Honey Chicken Sliders with Pickles and Slaw

Ingredients

  • 12 small chicken tenders
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ cup hot honey
  • 1 cup coleslaw mix
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 12 slider buns
  • ½ cup sliced pickles
  • Vegetable oil for frying

Instructions

  1. 1
    In a bowl, marinate the chicken tenders in buttermilk for at least 15 minutes.
  2. 2
    In a separate bowl, combine flour, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Dredge the marinated chicken tenders in the flour mixture.
  3. 3
    Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken tenders in batches until golden brown and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
  4. 4
    In a small bowl, mix coleslaw mix, mayonnaise, and apple cider vinegar to make the slaw.
  5. 5
    Drizzle hot honey over the fried chicken tenders.
  6. 6
    Assemble the sliders by placing a chicken tender on each slider bun, topping with pickles and slaw. Serve immediately.
CLICK FOR NUTRITION INFO

Approximate Information for One Serving

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 420cal
Protein: 21 gg
Fat: 18 gg
Saturated Fat: 0g
Trans Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 0mg
Potassium: 0mg
Total Carbs: 44 gg
Fiber: 0g
Sugar: 0g
Net Carbs: 0g
Vitamin A: 0
Vitamin C: 0mg
Calcium: 0mg
Iron: 0mg

Nutrition Disclaimers

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.

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