Crispy Buffalo Chicken Sliders
These crispy buffalo chicken sliders offer a perfect balance of spicy heat and crunchy texture, making them an irresistible snack or party favorite. The buttermilk soak tenderizes the chicken while the double coating ensures a crunch that holds up under the buffalo sauce.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 sliders 1x
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into slider-sized pieces
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup hot sauce (preferably Frank’s RedHot)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or almond flour for gluten-free)
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 8 small slider buns (brioche or potato buns recommended)
- Optional toppings: celery sticks, blue cheese crumbles, ranch dressing
Instructions
- Place chicken thigh pieces in a large bowl and pour over the buttermilk. Add a pinch of salt, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.
- Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot to 350°F (175°C).
- Remove chicken from buttermilk, letting excess drip off. Dredge each piece thoroughly in the flour mixture, pressing lightly to adhere. For extra crunch, double-dip by repeating the buttermilk and flour steps once more.
- Fry chicken pieces in batches for 5 to 7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F/75°C). Remove with tongs and drain on a wire rack.
- In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in hot sauce until smooth and warmed through. Adjust heat or add honey if desired.
- Place fried chicken in a large bowl, pour buffalo sauce over, and gently toss to coat evenly without breaking the crust.
- Slice slider buns and layer each with buffalo chicken pieces. Add optional toppings like celery sticks, blue cheese crumbles, or ranch dressing.
- Serve immediately for best crunch and flavor.
Notes
Keep oil temperature steady at 350°F to avoid greasy or burnt chicken. Double coating the chicken and draining on a wire rack helps maintain crispiness after saucing. Use thighs for juiciness. Baking option: bake at 425°F for 20-25 minutes on a wire rack, flipping halfway.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 18
Keywords: buffalo chicken sliders, crispy chicken, spicy snack, game day recipe, easy chicken sliders, buffalo sauce, fried chicken