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Beer and Bourbon Barbecue Chicken Sliders

BBQ Chicken Sliders — These easy chicken sliders are ready in 25 minutes and are great for Fourth of July, Labor Day, holiday parties, tailgating, and game days.



BBQ Chicken Sliders Recipe

Wondering what to make for your next party? These easy chicken sliders that are ready in 25 minutes will do the trick. They’ll be great for Fourth of July, Labor Day, holiday parties, tailgating, and game days.

The chicken is braised in beer and bourbon before being shredded and tossed with barbecue sauce. I used a sweeter barbecue sauce (Carolina Gold from Trader Joe’s), but use your favorite. Try a spicy barbecue sauce if you want a kick.

Beer does a wonderful job of tenderizing meat as well as adding subtle flavor and this chicken is a perfect example of beer at work. Put your beer to work for you.

The chicken is ridiculously tender, juicy, moist, and the sliders will be a guaranteed hit with everyone.

My family loves pickles and the tangy, crunchy pickles are a great contrast to the tender chicken.

What’s in BBQ Chicken Sliders? 

Here’s what you’ll need to make this game day appetizer: 

How to Make BBQ Chicken Sliders

You’ll first need to sear the chicken breasts in an oiled skillet. Then, reduce the heat to low and pour in the beer and bourbon. Let the chicken simmer in the beer until cooked through. 

Remove the chicken from the skillet and shred with two forks. Add the chicken and some of the beer cooking liquid to a bowl, then stir in bbq sauce. 

Spoon bbq chicken onto slider buns and top with sliced pickles. Serve immediately. 

What Type of Beer Should I Use? 

I recommend using a lager, like Sam Adams. But really any beer will work. If it’s a beer you like to drink, feel free to use it. 

Can I Prep Chicken Sliders in Advance? 

If desired, you can make the bbq pulled chicken in advance and reheat it on the stovetop just before guests arrive. The chicken will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Tips for Making BBQ Chicken Sliders

If you’ll be serving guests with a gluten intolerance, you can easily make this chicken appetizer gluten-free by using certified GF slider buns and barbecue sauce. 

To make these bbq chicken sliders even more delicious, you can toast the slider buns on a griddle before loading them up with the bbq chicken. 

My family likes eating these chicken sliders with sliced pickles, but you could also add thinly sliced red onion, tomato, and more. Doctor these sliders up however you see fit! 

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4.41 from 20 votes

Beer and Bourbon Barbecue Chicken Sliders

By Averie Sunshine
These easy chicken sliders are ready in 25 minutes and are great for Fourth of July, Labor Day, holiday parties, tailgating, and game days.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 12
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Ingredients  

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 to 1.25 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • ½ teaspoon pepper, or to taste
  • 12 ounces lager beer, or your favorite beer, I used Sam Adams
  • 2 tablespoons bourbon or whiskey, optional but strongly recommended
  • 1 ½ cups barbecue sauce
  • 10 to 12 slider buns, lightly toasted if desired
  • sliced pickles, optional for garnishing

Instructions 

  • To a large skillet, add the olive oil, chicken, evenly season with salt and pepper, and cook over medium-high heat for about 2 minutes on each side, or until chicken is seared and lightly browned on both sides.
  • Reduce the heat to low and add the beer (use caution because it will bubble up), optional bourbon or whiskey, and simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes or until chicken is cooked through; flip a couple times to ensure even cooking.
  • Remove chicken from pan and allow it to cool momentarily; save beer cooking liquid.
  • Using two forks or your hands, shred the chicken into a large bowl.
  • Add about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the beer cooking liquid (the more you add, the more beer flavor that’ll be present); discard remainder.
  • Add the barbecue sauce and stir to coat evenly.
  • Add about 1/4 cup chicken to each slider bun, optionally top with pickles, and serve immediately.

Notes

  • Chicken is best warm and fresh but will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

More Game Day Appetizers: 

All my favorite EASY CHICKEN RECIPES and APPETIZERS

Caramelized Onion and Portobello Mushroom Sliders with Fry Sauce — Meatless comfort food at its finest! Hearty, satisfying and so good!

Baked Spicy Barbecue Chicken Wings — The easiest wings ever because there’s NO frying involved!! And they’re healthier this way, too! Tender, juicy, with just the right amount of kick! Perfect for parties and game days!

Ham and Cheese Sliders – Baked juicy ham and Swiss nestled in soft Hawaiian rolls and brushed with a buttery Dijon, onion, and poppy seed topping!! Fast, EASY, and a party FAVORITE!!

Hot Cheesy Corn Dip — This easy corn dip recipe literally takes five minutes to stir together. It’s great for parties, football, and tailgating! 

Pepperoni Pizza Sliders — The sliders are a cinch to make and ready in less than 30 minutes. You can doctor them up with cooked bacon, sausage, or your other pizza fixing favorites.

5-Minute Dill Pickle Chex Mix — Loaded with dill pickle flavor thanks to the addition of dill pickle juice and dried dill, this Chex mix recipe is easily my favorite one yet!

Ranch Chicken and Swiss Sliders — Tender chicken is coasted in tangy ranch dressing and topped with Swiss cheese. It’s all nestled in soft, sweet Hawaiian rolls with a buttery Dijon, onion, and poppy seed topping.