Grilled Chicken Fajita Sliders – Juicy BBQ chicken, sizzling peppers, melty cheese, bold flavor, easy prep, party favorite, family approved!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These sliders are everything you want in a party dish: handheld, flavorful, and melty with just the right amount of spice. The sweet rolls perfectly balance the savory BBQ-seasoned chicken and sizzling fajita veggies. They’re great for feeding a crowd, come together in under an hour, and are easily customizable to your heat preference or cheese choice.
Ingredients
- 1 package King’s Hawaiian Original Hawaiian Sweet Rolls (12 rolls)
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons BBQ seasoning
- 2 teaspoons olive oil (or olive oil cooking spray)
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow onion, sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fajita seasoning
- 2 tablespoons spicy ranch dressing
- 6 slices pepper jack cheese
- 1 cup shredded Colby jack cheese
Directions
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Coat chicken breasts with olive oil and BBQ seasoning on both sides.
- Grill chicken until fully cooked and internal temperature reaches 165°F, about 6–7 minutes per side.
- Remove chicken from the grill and let rest for 10 minutes, then slice into thin strips.
- In a skillet over medium heat, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add sliced bell peppers and onion, sprinkle with fajita seasoning, and sauté for 7–8 minutes until tender.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Carefully slice the Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally without separating them.
- Spread a thin layer of spicy ranch on the bottom half. Layer with pepper jack cheese, grilled chicken strips, sautéed peppers and onions, another drizzle of ranch, and shredded Colby jack cheese.
- Place the top half of the rolls back on and transfer sliders to a baking dish. Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes, or until cheese is melted and tops are slightly toasted.
- Let cool slightly before slicing and serving warm.
Servings And Timing
- Servings: 12 sliders
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Calories: Approximately 365 kcal per slider
Variations
- Spicier Version: Add jalapeños or a chipotle aioli instead of spicy ranch.
- Different Cheese: Try mozzarella, cheddar, or a smoky gouda.
- Vegetarian: Use grilled portobello mushrooms or plant-based chicken.
- Taco Twist: Swap BBQ seasoning for taco seasoning for a more traditional fajita flavor.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Wrap in foil and reheat in a 350°F oven for 10–12 minutes. Microwave is an option but may make the rolls soggy.
- Freezing: Not recommended once assembled, but you can prep and freeze the cooked chicken and vegetables separately.
FAQs
Can I Bake The Chicken Instead Of Grilling It?
Yes, bake at 400°F for about 20–25 minutes or until the internal temp reaches 165°F.
What’s The Best Way To Keep The Bottom Rolls From Getting Soggy?
Let the chicken and veggies cool slightly before assembling, and toast the bottom layer briefly before building the sliders.
Can I Use Rotisserie Chicken?
Absolutely, it’s a great time-saver. Just season it with fajita or BBQ seasoning for extra flavor.
Are These Sliders Spicy?
They have a mild kick from the spicy ranch and pepper jack. Adjust the level of heat by switching cheeses or skipping the spicy sauce.
Can I Prepare These Ahead Of Time?
Yes, assemble the sliders and refrigerate them covered, then bake just before serving.
What Are Good Sides To Serve With These?
Try chips and salsa, corn salad, or a simple green salad for a well-rounded meal.
Can I Make These In An Air Fryer?
You can reheat individual sliders in an air fryer, but baking is better for the full batch.
Do I Need To Cover Them While Baking?
Yes, cover with foil to help the cheese melt evenly and prevent the tops from burning.
Can I Use Other Rolls Besides Hawaiian?
Yes, any soft dinner rolls work well, but the sweetness of Hawaiian rolls adds a nice contrast.
How Do I Make It Dairy-Free?
Use your favorite dairy-free cheese and a plant-based ranch alternative.
Conclusion
Grilled chicken fajita sliders are the perfect combination of sweet, smoky, and savory. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just want a fun dinner option, these sliders are easy to make and even easier to love. With melty cheese, spicy ranch, and sizzling veggies, each bite delivers serious flavor in a handheld package.
Print
Grilled Chicken Fajita Sliders
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 sliders 1x
- Diet: Halal
Description
Sweet Hawaiian rolls packed with juicy grilled BBQ chicken, melty cheese, and sizzling fajita-style peppers and onions for the ultimate crowd-pleasing sliders.
Ingredients
- 1 package King’s Hawaiian Original Hawaiian Sweet Rolls (12 rolls)
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp BBQ seasoning
- 2 tsp olive oil (or olive oil cooking spray)
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow onion, sliced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp fajita seasoning
- 2 tbsp spicy ranch dressing
- 6 slices pepper jack cheese
- 1 cup shredded Colby jack cheese
Instructions
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Coat chicken breasts with olive oil and season both sides with BBQ seasoning.
- Grill the chicken until cooked through and internal temperature reaches 165°F, about 6-7 minutes per side depending on thickness.
- Remove chicken from grill and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing into strips.
- In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add sliced bell peppers and onions, sprinkle with fajita seasoning, and sauté until softened, about 7-8 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Slice the Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally without separating individual rolls.
- Spread a thin layer of spicy ranch dressing on the bottom half of the rolls. Layer with pepper jack cheese, grilled chicken strips, sautéed vegetables, more spicy ranch, and shredded Colby jack cheese.
- Replace the top half of the rolls and place sliders in a baking dish. Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes, or until cheese is melted and tops are slightly toasted.
- Remove from oven, let cool slightly, then slice and serve warm.
Notes
- Swap BBQ seasoning for taco or Cajun seasoning for a different flavor twist.
- Use rotisserie chicken for a quick version.
- These sliders can be prepped ahead and baked just before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Grilling, Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 365
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 510mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 21g
- Cholesterol: 65mg