Imagine a tray of golden, melty sliders with garlicky pesto wafting through your kitchen — that’s the magic of my Cheesy Garlic Pesto Chicken Sliders Recipe! This crowd-pleaser layers juicy shredded chicken, fragrant basil pesto, and gooey cheese between pillowy rolls, all brushed with irresistible garlic butter. Whether you’re planning a party or just need a fun weeknight dinner, these sliders are a guaranteed hit everyone will be grabbing for seconds!
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of simple but stellar ingredients for the Cheesy Garlic Pesto Chicken Sliders Recipe. Each one brings a unique flavor, texture, or pop of color — and together, they create pure slider bliss. Here’s what you’ll need and why each one matters:
- Slider rolls or Hawaiian rolls: Fluffy, slightly sweet rolls that hold everything together and soak up all the flavors.
- Cooked shredded chicken: Tender protein that forms the hearty base of these sliders; rotisserie or leftover chicken works perfectly.
- Basil pesto: Delivers herby, garlicky zing and a vibrant green color throughout the sliders.
- Shredded mozzarella or provolone cheese: Melts beautifully for gooey texture and creamy flavor.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Adds a salty, nutty punch and enhances every cheesy bite.
- Unsalted butter, melted: Helps create that signature golden top, rich in flavor.
- Minced garlic: Infuses the butter and tops with that irresistible garlicky aroma.
- Chopped fresh parsley (optional): Sprinkled for a fresh burst of color and flavor.
- Pinch of salt: Balances all the other flavors and brings everything together.
How to Make Cheesy Garlic Pesto Chicken Sliders Recipe
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Start by getting your oven ready at 350°F (175°C). This ensures you get that perfect, gooey cheese and golden, toasty tops on your sliders. Preheating is key for even baking, so don’t skip it!
Step 2: Prepare the Chicken Filling
In a mixing bowl, combine your cooked shredded chicken with the vibrant basil pesto. Toss until every bite of chicken is coated with that herby, garlicky goodness. The color and aroma at this stage are already a feast for the senses.
Step 3: Layer the Sliders
Place the bottom halves of your slider rolls snugly into a 9×13-inch baking dish. Pile on the glorious pesto chicken, spreading it evenly to make sure every slider gets its fair share. Next, blanket the chicken with a layer of mozzarella (or provolone) and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan for ultra-cheesy decadence.
Step 4: Top and Butter Up
Carefully set the top halves of the rolls over the cheese. In a small bowl, stir together the melted butter, minced garlic, a pinch of salt, and fresh chopped parsley if you’re using it. With a pastry brush, lavish the tops of the rolls with this garlicky butter mixture, making sure to get all those nooks and crannies.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Cover the baking dish with foil and pop it in the oven for 15 minutes. This helps everything heat through and the cheese to get beautifully melty. After that, remove the foil and bake for another 5 to 7 minutes. Watch as the tops transform into a golden, slightly crisp crust, making your Cheesy Garlic Pesto Chicken Sliders Recipe truly irresistible.
Step 6: Cool and Serve
Let the sliders cool for just a few minutes so nobody burns their fingers from excitement. Then, slice and serve while the cheese is still deliciously stretchy and gooey!
How to Serve Cheesy Garlic Pesto Chicken Sliders Recipe
Garnishes
A quick sprinkle of fresh parsley or a little extra Parmesan right before serving adds a pop of color and a burst of flavor. If you want to get fancy, a drizzle of extra pesto on top is beautiful and totally delectable!
Side Dishes
These sliders pair wonderfully with crisp, fresh salads, roasted veggies, or a scoop of tangy coleslaw. For game day, set them out with crunchy chips, pickles, or a bowl of marinara for dipping — you really can’t go wrong.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, arrange the sliders on a rustic wooden board with extra pesto in small bowls for dipping. Toothpicks or cocktail skewers make them easy to grab, and you can set out little flags or tags with fun names if you’re serving a crowd. They’re just as charming straight from the baking dish, especially when that cheesy pull is still warm and stretchy!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any uneaten sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The flavors deepen overnight, so leftover Cheesy Garlic Pesto Chicken Sliders Recipe are still a joy to eat the next day!
Freezing
If you want to freeze them for later, assemble the sliders and wrap the whole dish tightly in foil and plastic wrap before baking. Freeze for up to two months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge, then bake as directed. They come out just as cheesy and flavorful!
Reheating
To reheat, place sliders on a baking tray, cover with foil, and warm in a 350°F oven for 10 to 15 minutes until heated through. If you’re just warming one or two, a short zap in the microwave works, but the oven will keep the tops from getting soggy.
FAQs
Can I use rotisserie chicken for the Cheesy Garlic Pesto Chicken Sliders Recipe?
Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken makes this recipe even faster and still has amazing flavor. Just shred and mix with the pesto as directed.
What if I can’t find Hawaiian rolls?
Any soft dinner roll will do the trick. You want something fluffy to soak up the flavors and hold everything together. Even small brioche or potato rolls can be delicious substitutes.
Is there a gluten-free option?
Yes! Look for gluten-free slider rolls or small sandwich buns — most large grocery stores carry them. The filling for the Cheesy Garlic Pesto Chicken Sliders Recipe is naturally gluten-free, so just swap the bread.
Can I make these sliders ahead of time?
Definitely. You can assemble the sliders (up to the butter topping), cover tightly, and refrigerate up to one day in advance. Right before baking, brush on the garlic butter so the tops stay fresh and golden.
Can I swap the chicken for another protein?
Yes, these sliders are super flexible! Try cooked turkey, ham, or even leftover roast beef. The main thing is to use a protein that shreds or slices well to keep that perfect slider texture.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been searching for a dish that’s both irresistibly cheesy and bursting with flavor, you have to give the Cheesy Garlic Pesto Chicken Sliders Recipe a try. They always disappear fast at gatherings and are just as wonderful for a cozy night in. Go ahead and whip up a batch — I can’t wait for you to share these bites of happiness with your favorite people!
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Cheesy Garlic Pesto Chicken Sliders Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 sliders 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
These Cheesy Garlic Pesto Chicken Sliders are a delicious twist on the classic slider. Packed with flavor from basil pesto, melted cheese, and garlic butter, these sliders are perfect for parties or a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Slider Rolls:
- 12 slider rolls or Hawaiian rolls, sliced in half
Pesto Chicken:
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1/3 cup basil pesto
Cheese Mixture:
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella or provolone cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garlic Butter:
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare the Chicken: In a mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken and pesto until evenly coated.
- Assemble Sliders: Place the bottom halves of the slider rolls in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer the pesto chicken, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese over the rolls. Top with the remaining halves of the rolls.
- Make Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, mix the melted butter with minced garlic, salt, and parsley. Brush over the tops of the sliders.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes, then uncover and bake for 5–7 more minutes until golden and cheese is melted.
- Serve: Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Great for parties, game day, or weeknight dinners.
- Can be prepped ahead and refrigerated until ready to bake.
- Chicken can be substituted with turkey or rotisserie chicken.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 330mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
