Honey Pecan BBQ Chicken Sliders feature a slider bun piled high with shredded BBQ chicken, coleslaw, and chopped pecans.
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Honey BBQ Chicken Sliders Recipe
These Honey Pecan BBQ Chicken Sliders combine tender grilled chicken tossed in a rich, nutty honey-pecan barbecue sauce, crisp coleslaw, and crunchy pecans all stacked on soft slider buns. The pecans—finely chopped and incorporated into the sauce—thicken it naturally and add a subtle, toasty flavor that sets this BBQ apart from the usual store-bought varieties.
If you want an appetizer perfect for game day, a cookout, or an easy weeknight dinner, these sliders are a winner. The sauce keeps well and can be made a few days ahead, which makes assembly quick when guests arrive. You can grill fresh chicken and baste it as it cooks, or save time by using shredded rotisserie or slow-cooker chicken—both work beautifully with the honey pecan sauce.
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BBQ Chicken Sliders Ingredients
The recipe is built from three main elements: the Honey Pecan BBQ Sauce, the chicken, and the slider toppings. Below is a concise ingredient overview to guide your prep.
- Canola oil
- Poblano pepper (seeds removed)
- Garlic
- Ketchup
- Honey
- Molasses
- Chopped pecans
- Apple cider vinegar
- Water
- Worcestershire sauce
- Ground mustard and smoked paprika
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or rotisserie/shredded chicken)
- Coleslaw (store-bought or homemade)
- Slider buns
- Green onions
For a full ingredient list and exact measurements, follow the recipe card in the instructions section below.
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How to Make BBQ Chicken Sliders
This recipe is straightforward and breaks down into three simple stages: make the sauce, cook the chicken, assemble the sliders.
- Honey Pecan BBQ Sauce: Sauté the poblano and garlic in oil until softened. Transfer them to a blender with the remaining sauce ingredients and puree until smooth. Simmer the blended sauce on the stove to meld flavors and thicken slightly—about 20 minutes on low while whisking occasionally. Cool to room temperature.
- Grill the Chicken: Preheat the grill to medium-high. Pat chicken dry and season with salt and pepper. Grill the breasts, basting periodically with the honey pecan sauce, until cooked through (internal temp around 160°F, then rest to finish cooking). Chop or shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Assemble the Sliders: Layer the chopped chicken with extra honey pecan sauce, coleslaw, sliced green onions, and a sprinkle of chopped pecans between slider buns. Serve immediately.
These sliders are served best warm and can be presented as a main course or as bite-sized appetizers. The sauce also makes a great condiment on the side.
Can I Use Store-Bought BBQ Sauce?
Yes. Store-bought sauce will work if you prefer convenience, but the homemade honey pecan sauce gives a distinctive nutty sweetness and texture that makes these sliders unique.
Is the BBQ Sauce Spicy?
No. The poblano pepper contributes a mild, smoky flavor rather than significant heat. If you prefer more spice, add a pinch of cayenne or swap in a hotter pepper.
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Tips for Making BBQ Chicken Sliders
- Make the sauce ahead: The honey pecan BBQ sauce keeps for several days in the fridge and reheats well.
- Shortcut options: Use rotisserie or slow-cooker shredded chicken if you want to skip grilling.
- Customize toppings: Slaw, green onions, and pecans are a favorite combo, but feel free to add pickles, sliced jalapeños, or cheese.
- For grilling: Baste the chicken frequently to build layers of flavor and keep the meat moist.
Serving Suggestions
These sliders pair well with simple sides like chips, sweet potato fries, or a crisp green salad. The sauce also complements drumsticks or pulled pork if you want to expand the menu.
More Easy Super Bowl Appetizers
For other game-day ideas, consider dips, taquitos, queso, or nachos—simple dishes that travel well and please a crowd. These sliders join a lineup of easy party recipes that are straightforward to prepare and big on flavor.
Honey Pecan BBQ Sauce Chicken Sliders
Ingredients
Honey Pecan BBQ Sauce
- 2 teaspoons canola oil
- 1/4 cup chopped poblano pepper, seeds removed
- 1 1/4 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 1/4 cup ketchup
- 3/4 cup honey
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 1/2 teaspoons ground mustard
- 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
For the Chicken
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Honey pecan BBQ sauce for basting
For the Sliders
- Prepared chopped or shredded chicken
- 2 cups coleslaw
- 6 slider buns, sliced in half
- 1/3 cup chopped pecans
- 3 sliced green onions
- Extra honey pecan BBQ sauce for serving
Instructions
Honey Pecan BBQ Sauce
- Heat the oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add the poblano and sauté for 3 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté 3 more minutes.
- Transfer the poblano and garlic to a blender. Add ketchup, honey, molasses, chopped pecans, apple cider vinegar, water, Worcestershire sauce, ground mustard, and smoked paprika. Blend until smooth.
- Pour the pureed sauce into a medium saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat while whisking, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, whisking occasionally. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
For the Chicken
- Preheat the grill to medium-high. Pat chicken dry and season with salt and pepper.
- Grill chicken 3–5 minutes per side, basting frequently with the honey pecan sauce, until cooked through (internal temperature about 160°F), then remove and let rest briefly before chopping.
For the Sliders
- Layer chopped chicken, additional BBQ sauce, coleslaw, green onions, and chopped pecans on each slider bun. Serve warm.
Notes
Rotisserie or slow-cooker shredded chicken can replace grilled chicken for a quicker version. The sauce keeps refrigerated for several days and can be reheated when ready to use.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6
Serving Size: 1 slider
Calories: 987 (estimate)
Nutrition figures are estimates provided as a courtesy.
Tag @goodlifeeats and include the hashtag #goodlifeeatsrecipes so I can see what you’re cooking up in your kitchen!
I chose to work with Fisher Nuts for this recipe because their pecans add a clean, preservative-free nutty flavor to the sauce. The opinions expressed here are my own.