Garden Bacon Ranch Chicken Sliders
These Garden Bacon Ranch Chicken Sliders are everything summer should taste like. Tender roasted chicken is mixed with a creamy homemade herb ranch and topped with crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, fresh lettuce, and juicy tomatoes on soft slider buns. Made with simple, whole ingredients, they're an easy crowd-pleaser for cookouts, picnics, and weeknight dinners alike.
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makes:8
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total time:1 hr 40 min
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cooking difficulty:Easy
Ingredients
Utensils
Instructions
Preheat oven to 425°F.
Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, then rub all over with olive oil. Season generously with sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika, making sure to coat the entire bird, including under the wings and inside the cavity.
Place the chicken breast-side up on a rack in a roasting pan or on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Roast for 70–80 minutes, or until the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165°F.
Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 10–15 minutes before carving. Shred or chop the meat into bite-sized pieces for the sliders.
Make the homemade herb ranch in a medium bowl, by whisking together the following ingredients until smooth and well combined: Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, dill, parsley, chives, garlic, lemon juice, onion powder.
Taste and add salt and pepper and adjust the seasoning as needed. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. Chilling the ranch for at least 15 minutes allows the fresh herbs and garlic to develop even more flavor.
Once the roasted chicken has rested, remove the meat from the bones and shred or chop into bite-sized pieces. Measure out 5–6 cups of chicken for the sliders and place it in a large mixing bowl.
Add the following ingredients:
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5–6 cups shredded roasted chicken
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Half of the homemade herb ranch dressing
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½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
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8 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
Gently toss everything together until the chicken is evenly coated with the ranch dressing. Reserve the remaining ranch dressing for spreading on the buns or drizzling over the finished sliders before serving.
Assemble the Sliders by lightly toast the slider buns until golden. This adds flavor and helps keep the buns from getting soggy.
Build each slider:
- Spread a spoonful of the chicken ranch mixture onto the bottom bun.
- Top with the remaining shredded sharp cheddar.
- Add a layer of crisp lettuce.
- Place a slice of ripe tomato on top.
- Finish with a drizzle of the remaining homemade herb ranch and place the top bun over the filling.
Serve immediately while the chicken is warm, or pair with fresh fruit, potato salad, or a simple green salad for an easy summer meal.