Picnic Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders Recipe

Quick & Tangy Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders Recipe for Game Day

Crispy chicken bacon ranch sliders burst with flavor that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Small sandwiches pack massive punch in every single bite.

Perfectly seasoned meat nestles between soft rolls with creamy ranch goodness.

Bacon adds smoky crunch while melted cheese creates irresistible texture.

Weekend game nights or casual dinner parties become extraordinary with these mini delights.

Quick preparation means you can whip up these crowd-pleasers in under thirty minutes.

Hungry friends won’t be able to resist grabbing seconds of these mouthwatering little sandwiches.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders: Why They’re a Must-Try

  • Create Flavor Explosion: Combine multiple taste elements like spicy chicken, crispy bacon, and creamy ranch for a mouthwatering experience that satisfies multiple cravings in one bite.
  • Master Quick Meal Preparation: Develop a simple cooking process that transforms basic ingredients into a gourmet-style dish without complex techniques or extensive kitchen skills.
  • Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients or adjust seasonings to match personal preferences, making this recipe adaptable for different dietary needs and flavor profiles.
  • Perfect Party Pleaser: Design a crowd-friendly dish ideal for gatherings, game days, or casual family dinners that impresses guests with minimal preparation effort.

Ingredients for Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders

For the Proteins:
  • Chicken: A lean protein that serves as the primary meat base for the sliders, providing a tender and flavorful foundation.
  • Bacon: A crispy and savory ingredient that adds a smoky and rich flavor to the sliders.
For the Dairy:
  • Cheddar Cheese: A sharp and melty cheese that creates a gooey topping for the sliders.
  • Ranch Dressing, Sour Cream: A creamy and tangy sauce that enhances the overall flavor profile of the dish.
For the Seasonings and Baking Ingredients:
  • Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Salt, Black Pepper: A robust seasoning blend that adds depth and complexity to the chicken.
  • Olive Oil: A cooking oil used for searing the chicken and adding a subtle richness.
  • Slider Buns: The bread base that holds all the ingredients together, providing a soft and convenient eating experience.
  • Parchment Paper: A non-stick surface used for easy baking and cleanup.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders How-To

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Baking Surface

Crank the oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or give it a light grease to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 2: Slice and Season Chicken

Chop chicken into perfect bite-sized chunks that’ll cook evenly. Mix up a flavor-packed seasoning blend using:
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Massage those spices into the chicken, making sure every piece is gloriously coated.

Step 3: Sear Chicken to Golden Perfection

Fire up a skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat. Sizzle chicken pieces until they turn a beautiful golden brown, cooking about 4-5 minutes on each side.

Step 4: Crisp Up the Bacon

Cook bacon in a separate pan until it’s delightfully crunchy. Crumble the strips into tiny, flavor-packed bits.

Step 5: Whip Up Creamy Ranch Sauce

In a small bowl, blend ranch dressing and sour cream into a tangy, creamy sauce that’ll make taste buds dance.

Step 6: Assemble Slider Base

Lay out slider buns on the prepared baking sheet, ready for their flavor adventure.

Step 7: Layer Flavor Bombs

Build each slider with:
  • Seared chicken pieces
  • Crumbled bacon bits
  • Generous drizzle of ranch-sour cream sauce
  • Sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese

Step 8: Bake to Melty Magnificence

Slide the loaded sliders into the oven for 10-12 minutes. Watch for melted cheese and lightly golden buns.

Step 9: Serve and Devour

Pull out the sliders, let them cool for a quick 2-3 minutes, then dig in while they’re warm and the cheese is irresistibly gooey.

Tips for Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders Success

  • Sear Chicken Perfectly: Use a hot skillet to create a golden-brown exterior that locks in juicy flavors and adds depth to the sliders.
  • Bacon Crunch Technique: Crumble bacon into small, even pieces to ensure every bite has a crispy, smoky element without overwhelming the other ingredients.
  • Cheese Melting Mastery: Sprinkle cheese evenly and watch closely during baking to achieve that irresistible melted, stringy texture without burning.
  • Sauce Distribution Hack: Drizzle ranch-sour cream mixture sparingly to prevent soggy buns while maintaining maximum flavor intensity.
  • Serve Immediately Strategy: Enjoy sliders straight from the oven when cheese is melty and buns are warm for the ultimate taste experience.

Ways to Change Up Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders

  • Spicy Buffalo Sliders: Replace ranch dressing with buffalo sauce, add blue cheese crumbles, and sprinkle red pepper flakes for a fiery kick.
  • Mediterranean Chicken Sliders: Swap seasoning with oregano, za'atar, swap ranch for tzatziki sauce, top with crumbled feta and diced cucumber.
  • Low-Carb Lettuce Wrap Version: Skip buns entirely, use large lettuce leaves as wraps, maintain original chicken and bacon preparation.
  • Vegetarian Alternative: Substitute chicken with grilled portobello mushrooms, use plant-based bacon bits, keep cheese and ranch sauce unchanged.

Pairing Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders Just Right

  • Pairing Pickled Jalapeños: Add zesty heat to balance the rich, creamy slider flavors with tangy pickled jalapeño slices.
  • Cool Beer Companion: Choose a crisp, light lager or pale ale to cut through the richness of bacon and cheese, refreshing the palate between bites.
  • Fresh Side Salad: Prepare a light mixed green salad with a bright vinaigrette to provide a crisp, acidic contrast to the heavy, savory sliders.
  • Creamy Coleslaw Complement: Serve a cool, crunchy coleslaw with a hint of apple cider vinegar to add texture and lighten the meal's intensity.

Storing Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders Made Easy

  • Store leftover sliders in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days, ensuring maximum freshness and food safety.
  • Wrap individual sliders tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bags. Freeze for up to 2 months, preserving their delicious flavor and texture.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Place sliders on a baking sheet, cover with foil to prevent drying, and warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through.
  • Reheat individual sliders on a microwave-safe plate for 30-45 seconds. Add a damp paper towel to prevent bread from becoming tough and maintain moisture.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders FAQ Roundup

  • What type of chicken works best for these sliders?

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs are ideal, providing tender meat that absorbs seasonings well and cooks evenly.

  • Can I make these sliders ahead of time?

Prepare components in advance, but assemble and bake just before serving to maintain crisp buns and melted cheese texture.

  • How do I ensure the chicken stays juicy?

Sear chicken quickly at medium-high heat and avoid overcooking, which helps retain moisture and prevents dryness.

  • What if I don't have ranch dressing?

Substitute with a mix of mayonnaise, sour cream, and dried herbs like dill, chives, and garlic powder to create a similar tangy sauce.

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Picnic Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders Recipe

Picnic Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders Recipe


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4.5 from 10 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Chicken bacon ranch sliders deliver a mouthwatering explosion of flavor in compact, crowd-pleasing bites. Layered with crispy bacon, tender chicken, and creamy ranch, these mini sandwiches promise a delightful experience you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 lb chicken, boneless and skinless
  • 6 slices bacon
  • 12 slider buns

Ranch Components:

  • 1/2 cup ranch dressing
  • 1/4 cup sour cream

Seasoning and Extras:

  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper or light greasing to prevent sticking.
  2. Slice chicken into uniform bite-sized pieces, ensuring even cooking and consistent texture throughout the sliders.
  3. Combine garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl, creating a robust seasoning blend for the chicken.
  4. Thoroughly coat chicken pieces with the seasoning mixture, massaging the spices into the meat for maximum flavor absorption.
  5. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear chicken pieces until golden brown and nearly cooked through, approximately 4-5 minutes per side.
  6. Crisp bacon in a separate pan until perfectly crunchy, then crumble into small fragments for distribution across the sliders.
  7. Whisk ranch dressing and sour cream together in a small bowl, creating a creamy and tangy sauce for layering.
  8. Arrange slider buns on the prepared baking sheet, creating an organized assembly line for construction.
  9. Layer each bun with seared chicken, crumbled bacon bits, and a generous drizzle of the ranch-sour cream mixture.
  10. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the chicken and bacon, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
  11. Transfer the loaded slider buns to the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until cheese melts completely and buns turn lightly golden.
  12. Remove from oven, let cool for 2-3 minutes, then serve immediately while warm and cheese is still gooey.

Notes

  • Customize spice levels by adjusting garlic and onion powder amounts to suit personal taste preferences.
  • Opt for low-fat cheese and Greek yogurt instead of sour cream to create a lighter, healthier version of the sliders.
  • Ensure chicken pieces are uniformly cut to guarantee even cooking and prevent dry or undercooked sections.
  • Toast slider buns lightly before assembling to add extra crunch and prevent sogginess from sauce and meat juices.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 360
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 21 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 24 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 19 g
  • Cholesterol: 80 mg
James Hambly

James Hambly

Founder & Recipe Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development, Culinary Education, Farm-to-Table Cooking, Southern Cuisine

Education

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focus: Hands-on training in professional cooking techniques, emphasizing farm-to-table practices and Southern cuisine.

The Chef’s Academy
Associate Degree in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive culinary education covering global cuisines, kitchen management, and food safety.​


James grew up surrounded by the smells of cast-iron skillets and slow-cooked Southern meals in Asheville, North Carolina.
He sharpened his skills with a Certificate in Culinary Arts from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, and later leveled up with an Associate Degree from The Chef’s Academy.
James’s philosophy is simple: the best meals don’t need fancy tricks, just fresh ingredients, a hot pan, and a little bit of heart. His favorite days are spent testing one-pan wonders, chasing bold flavors, and creating recipes that feel easy, even on a busy night.

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