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Chicken sandwich sliders with melted cheese, barbecue sauce, shredded chicken, and herbs, served on soft buns.

Cheesy Chicken Marinara Sliders with Crispy Onions


  • Author: Samantha Brooks
  • Total Time: 6 hours
  • Yield: 12 Sliders 1x

Description

The ultimate crowd-pleasing meal. Combining tender slow-cooked chicken with rich marinara and melty mozzarella on soft Hawaiian rolls, these sliders are topped with a savory garlic butter glaze and crispy fried onions for an irresistible comfort food favorite.


Ingredients

Scale

The Slow-Cooked Chicken

  • 1 lb chicken breast
  • 2 cups marinara sauce
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • Spices: 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes

The Slider Assembly

  • 12-pack King’s Hawaiian Sweet Rolls
  • Cheese: Mozzarella slices and shredded mozzarella
  • Crunch: French’s crispy fried onions

The Garlic Butter Glaze

  • 4 tbsp butter, melted
  • 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp dried parsley

Instructions

Slow Cook: Season chicken with spices, garlic, and marinara in a crockpot. Cook on Low for 4–6 hours.

Shred: Shred chicken with two forks and return to the sauce.

Assemble: Slice rolls horizontally. Layer bottom rolls with mozzarella slices, shredded chicken, shredded mozzarella, and crispy onions. Cover with top buns.

Glaze & Bake: Brush with garlic butter mixture. Bake at 400°F for 10 minutes until cheese is bubbly.

Notes

Avoid Soggy Bottoms: Use a slotted spoon to transfer the chicken to prevent excess liquid from soaking the bun.

Temperature Watch: Hawaiian rolls brown quickly due to high sugar; tent with foil if they darken too fast.

Shredding Hack: Use a hand mixer on low for 30 seconds for a perfectly uniform, fine shred.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4–6 hours
  • Category: Appetizer / Main Course
  • Method: Slow Cooker & Oven
  • Cuisine: American-Italian Fusion

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2 Sliders
  • Calories: 420
  • Sugar: 8
  • Sodium: 890
  • Fat: 22
  • Saturated Fat: 11
  • Unsaturated Fat: 11
  • Trans Fat: 0
  • Carbohydrates: 34
  • Fiber: 2
  • Protein: 24
  • Cholesterol: 85

Keywords: chicken marinara sliders, hawaiian roll sliders, slow cooker chicken sliders, game day appetizers, easy pull apart sandwiches, cheesy chicken sliders, crispy onion chicken sliders