Description
Cheesy Garlic Pesto Chicken Sliders – Juicy chicken, gooey cheese, and zesty pesto make these sliders a crowd-pleasing comfort food favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 slider buns or Hawaiian sweet rolls
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded (about 2 medium breasts or 12 oz)
- ⅓ cup pesto sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1½ cups mozzarella cheese, shredded (6 oz)
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated (2 oz)
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- 3 garlic cloves, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper for easy cleanup. While the oven heats, shred your cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces and toss it with 3 tablespoons of the pesto sauce until evenly coated. This step ensures the chicken itself is flavorful, not just the toppings.
- Step 2: Prepare the Slider Buns Without separating the individual rolls, use a large serrated knife to slice the entire package of slider buns horizontally, creating one large top and bottom piece. Place the bottom half in your prepared baking dish. Spread the remaining pesto sauce evenly across the bottom half of the buns, going all the way to the edges.
- Step 3: Layer Your Sliders Sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese over the pesto-covered bun bottoms, creating your first cheese layer. Distribute the pesto-coated chicken evenly over the cheese layer, gently pressing it down to create a compact filling. Top the chicken with the remaining mozzarella and all of the parmesan cheese, ensuring even coverage to maximize that gooey cheese pull.
- Step 4: Create the Garlic Butter Topping In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, chopped parsley, and red pepper flakes (if using). Whisk together until well combined. This aromatic mixture will create that irresistible golden top on your **Cheesy Garlic Pesto Chicken Sliders**.
- Step 5: Assemble and Bake Place the top half of the buns over the cheese layer, completing your slider assembly. Using a pastry brush, generously coat the top of the buns with the garlic butter mixture, making sure some drips down the sides and between the rolls. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes until the tops are golden brown and the cheese is completely melted and bubbly.
- Step 6: Serve Allow the **Cheesy Garlic Pesto Chicken Sliders** to cool for about 5 minutes before cutting along the seams to separate into individual sliders. This brief rest allows the cheese to set slightly, making the sliders easier to handle and ensuring they hold their shape when served. Garnish with additional fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 280 calories
- Sugar: 2 grams
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 16 grams
- Saturated Fat: 8 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 19 grams
- Fiber: 1 gram
- Protein: 16 grams
- Cholesterol: 65 mg