Maple Chicken Bacon Sliders (Printer-Friendly)
Tender chicken and crispy bacon glazed with sweet maple syrup, stacked on mini buns with melty cheese.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats & Poultry
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 8 slices bacon
→ Marinade & Glaze
03 - 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
04 - 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
05 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
06 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
07 - Salt and pepper, to taste
→ Buns & Assembly
08 - 8 slider buns or mini brioche buns, split
09 - 8 slices cheddar or gouda cheese
10 - 1 cup baby arugula or mixed lettuce
11 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
12 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly grease with cooking spray or oil.
02 - Slice chicken breasts in half horizontally to create thinner cutlets, then cut into 8 equal-sized pieces to fit the buns.
03 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, olive oil, salt, and pepper until fully emulsified.
04 - Add chicken pieces to the bowl with the glaze, tossing to coat evenly. Allow to sit for 10–15 minutes to absorb flavor.
05 - Lay bacon slices on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 12–15 minutes until crisp. Remove and drain on paper towels.
06 - Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook marinated chicken pieces for 3–4 minutes per side until cooked through and nicely caramelized.
07 - Brush the cut sides of the slider buns with melted butter. Toast in a skillet or on the grill until golden brown.
08 - Layer arugula, cooked chicken, crispy bacon, and cheese slices onto the buns. Top with red onion if desired.
09 - Secure sliders with cocktail picks and serve immediately while the cheese is warm and melty.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The combination of salty bacon and sweet maple glaze creates an irresistible sticky finger food experience.
- Everything cooks on one sheet pan or skillet, making cleanup almost nonexistent.
02 -
- Watch the chicken carefully in the pan because the high sugar content in the maple syrup can burn quickly.
- Letting the chicken rest for a minute after cooking helps the juices redistribute so they do not run out when you take a bite.
03 -
- For extra flavor, add a smear of garlic aioli to the bottom bun before assembling.
- Pre-cooking the bacon in the oven frees up your stove space for the chicken.