Chicken Parmesan Sliders

My kids would eat these every single night if I let them. I made these on a whim one weeknight when I needed something fast that everyone would actually eat, and now they're on permanent rotation.

Chicken parmesan sliders are the answer to every weeknight dinner dilemma. King's Hawaiian rolls layered with crispy air-fried chicken bites, marinara, and two layers of melted mozzarella, finished with a buttery parmesan topping that bakes up golden in about 15 minutes. These chicken parm sliders feed the whole family from one pan and come together in 30 minutes start to finish. Perfect for game days, weeknight dinners, or any time you need something crowd-pleasing with almost no effort.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• King's Hawaiian rolls bring that signature soft, slightly sweet pull-apart texture that makes every slider taste like it came from a restaurant. The sweetness works perfectly against the savory marinara and salty cheese.
• Air frying the Real Good chicken bites first keeps them crispy inside the slider even after baking, so you get that satisfying chicken parm crunch in every bite rather than soggy chicken under all the sauce.
• The butter brush on top is the detail that makes these. Italian seasoning and grated parmesan mixed into melted butter and brushed over the entire top creates a golden, fragrant crust that tastes like garlic bread met chicken parm and everyone won.
• Everything bakes together in one dish and slices cleanly along the roll lines for zero-drama serving.

Ingredients Needed to Make Chicken Parmesan Sliders

The Rolls and Chicken

King's Hawaiian rolls are the pull-apart pack that makes this so easy to assemble and serve. The slight sweetness of the rolls is what makes these taste specifically special against the savory marinara and salty cheese. Real Good frozen chicken bites go straight into the air fryer according to the package before assembling. Any brand of frozen crispy chicken bites works here.

The Layers

Shredded mozzarella is used twice, once under the chicken and once on top, for maximum melt from both directions. Marinara sauce goes over the chicken layer to taste. Use your favorite jarred brand or homemade. Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and oregano season the cheese layer before the top bun goes on.

The Butter Topping

Melted butter mixed with Italian seasoning and grated parmesan gets brushed over the entire top of the rolls before baking. This is the detail that makes these. It bakes up golden, slightly crispy, and fragrant in a way that makes every slider taste like it has garlic bread built right into it.

How to Make Chicken Parmesan Sliders

Step 1: Preheat and Cook the Chicken

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Air fry the frozen chicken bites according to the package directions until fully cooked and crispy. Set aside.

Step 2: Prep the Rolls

Without separating the individual rolls, slice the entire pack horizontally to create one large bottom slab and one large top slab. Place the bottom slab in a baking dish.

Step 3: Build the Layers

Spread a layer of shredded mozzarella over the entire bottom slab. Arrange the cooked chicken bites evenly across the cheese. Spoon marinara over the chicken to your preference. Add a second layer of shredded mozzarella. Sprinkle Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and oregano evenly over the top cheese layer.

Step 4: Add the Top and Butter Topping

Place the top slab of rolls back on. In a small bowl combine the melted butter, ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning, and grated parmesan. Brush the mixture evenly over the entire top surface of the rolls.

Step 5: Bake and Serve

Bake uncovered on the middle rack at 325 degrees F for 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and the tops of the rolls are golden. Use a sharp knife to cut along the individual roll lines and serve immediately.

Storing and Reheating

Store leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 325 degrees F covered loosely with foil for 8 to 10 minutes. The microwave works in a pinch but the rolls will be softer. These don't freeze well once assembled, but the cooked chicken bites can be frozen and thawed as needed.

What to Serve With Chicken Parmesan Sliders

These sliders are a complete meal on their own. For a full dinner spread, a simple Caesar salad or a bowl of tomato soup for dipping alongside is the classic combination. Set out a small bowl of extra warm marinara for dipping too since everyone goes back for it. For another easy dinner that pairs beautifully with these on a game day spread, the Jalapeño Popper Chicken Soup is another family-favorite that comes together just as fast.

Meghankay

Chicken Parmesan Sliders

These chicken parmesan sliders layer crispy chicken bites, marinara, and melted mozzarella on King's Hawaiian rolls with a buttery parmesan topping. Ready in 30 minutes and the easiest crowd-pleasing dinner or game day recipe you'll make all season.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Servings: 12

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  

• 1 Kings Hawaiian rolls 12 count
• 1-2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
• frozen chicken bites I used Real good brand
• Marinara sauce
• 1-2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon oregano
• 1 tablespoon butter melted
• ½ tablespoon parmesan cheese grated

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees
2. Cook frozen chicken bites in air fryer as listed on packaging. Cook chicken prior to adding to sliders.
3. Next slice slider rolls in half. Add bottom layer of shredded mozzarella cheese.
4. Next, add layer of cooked chicken bites, then top chicken bites with desired amount of marinara sauce.
5. Top with additional layer of shredded mozzarella cheese.
6. Add Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and oregano on top of the cheese prior to adding top half of roll
7. Add top layer of bun back on top of rolls.
8. Melt 1 tablespoon butter and add ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning and ½ teaspoon grated parmesan cheese. Brush evenly on top of buns.
9. Bake on middle rack of oven for 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted.
10. Serve immediately and enjoy

Notes

• Cook the chicken bites fully in the air fryer before assembling. Adding them raw or undercooked to the sliders and expecting the oven to finish them won't work at 325 degrees F - they need to be crispy and done before they go in.
• The first layer of mozzarella on the bottom bun is your soggy-bread insurance. Don't skip it or skimp on it. That cheese barrier is what keeps the marinara from soaking straight into the roll.
• Don't oversauce. A moderate layer of marinara over the chicken is perfect. Too much sauce makes the whole thing wet and the rolls won't hold together when you slice them.
• Brush the butter topping on right before the pan goes in the oven, not ahead of time. It soaks into the rolls if it sits and you lose that golden finish on top.
• Let them rest for 2 to 3 minutes after they come out of the oven before slicing. The cheese needs just a minute to set so everything stays put when you cut along the roll lines.