My easy recipe for Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders is a six-ingredient hero—ready to save the day as an easy weeknight dinner, hearty school lunch, or crowd-pleasing game day appetizer. They hit the spot every time, but their crowning glory is the minimal prep time!
Loaded with juicy air fryer chicken, crispy bacon, melted cheddar cheese, and creamy ranch dressing, my chicken bacon ranch sliders will curb any craving for a warm, convenient, and delicious fast–food–style sandwich. But they’re healthier and a fraction of the price!
My taste buds looove these chicken sandwiches as a quick and easy weeknight dinner, paired with a simple side Caesar salad and air-fryer sweet potato fries. Any leftover sliders go straight into school lunches for my kiddos the next day. They’re just as welcome on the appetizer table at game day watch parties as they are at the dinner table! Every season, they’re a huge hit and somehow always disappear before halftime…
With the start of the school year, football season gearing up, and life just getting busier, I thought now would be the perfect time to share this low-effort, high-impact recipe with you. With just six ingredients and less than 30 minutes of prep, I hope my chicken bacon ranch sliders are as much of a lifesaver for you as they have been for me!
For more quick and easy slider recipes, check out my Chicken Parmesan Sliders and Avocado Ranch Chicken Sliders.
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Why You’ll Love It
Minimal ingredients, quick prep, insanely delicious… what’s not to love about chicken bacon ranch sliders?!
- Only 6 Ingredients! We’re busy people with places to be, so the shopping list stays short and sweet.
- Easy Air Fryer Recipe. Cook the chicken in the air fryer for hands-off convenience. You can grill or bake it if you prefer.
- Quick and Impactful. These sliders come together in under half an hour and can quiet even the loudest, hungriest tummies.
- Kid- and Parent-Approved. Their mini size makes them perfect for little hands, and fun finger food for big hands, too!
🥂Make it A Rosy Moment
Grab and go sliders are always a crowd pleaser! Dinners, happy hours, or a full on tailgate...these Chicken Bacon Ranch sliders are a staple for me when entertaining. Here's how to really make these simple sliders a rosy moment:
- Game Day Slider Station: A simple set up for a tailgate or at-home watch party is a slider station! Create a buffet of different mini sandwiches and it's an instant hit. Serve these along with Mini Italian Grinders, Chicken and Avocado Sliders, or Roast Beef Sliders.
Important Ingredients
No lies here—you need fewer ingredients for chicken bacon ranch sliders than you have fingers on your hands!
- Slider Buns: King’s Hawaiian Rolls are my go-to—they’re perfectly sized, with great taste and texture.
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are inexpensive, flavorful, and hard to overcook.
- Pre-Made Ranch Seasoning: A packet with buttermilk powder, herbs, and spices adds big flavor with little fuss. Make your own if you prefer!
- Ranch Dressing: Double the ranch flavor = double the tastiness. Use store-bought or homemade.
- Bacon: Any crispy bacon works—the smoky crunch is essential.
Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Tangy cheddar pairs beautifully with creamy ranch, but use any melting cheese you like.
Swaps and Substitutions
My chicken bacon ranch sliders recipe is dialed in, but you know I always encourage thinking outside the box and experimenting with recipes in your own kitchen!
- Chicken Breasts: For a healthier option, swap out the chicken thighs for chicken breasts, which are leaner and lower in fat.
- Grilled Chicken: Fire up the grill instead of pulling out your air fryer to cook the chicken. The smokiness from the grill tastes amazing combined with the ranch, cheddar, and bacon!
- Cheeses: Swiss, Provolone, Mozzarella, Colby Jack, or Pepper Jack cheese (for a little extra spice) can be used in place of the sharp Cheddar.
- Spicy Ranch: Customize your chicken ranch sliders by playing around with different sauces. BBQ ranch or buffalo ranch will add some zing and spice! (For extra heat, add some hot sauce!)
- Bigger Buns: Make bigger bacon ranch chicken sliders by using regular burger buns, brioche rolls, or potato buns instead of mini Hawaiian rolls.
- Gluten-Free: Accommodate gluten dietary restrictions and use gluten-free sandwich buns or rolls instead.
Full Recipe Below
Find the full list of ingredients & measurements below!
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven and lay out the bacon strips on a foil-lined baking sheet.
- Step 2: Bake the bacon for 14 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Step 3: Season the chicken with the ranch packet and salt, if needed.
- Step 4: Air fry the chicken for 12-14 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Step 5: Assemble the sliders by adding slice of bacon (cut in half) and a chicken thigh onto the bottom bun.
- Step 6: Top with a slice of American cheese and place in an oven preheated to 350 degrees.
- Step 7: Bake the sliders for 5-10 minutes until cheese is melted.
- Step 8: Serve with a side of ranch dressing. Enjoy!
Top Tip
Don’t overload the slider. Anything more than ½ a bacon slice, ½ a chicken thigh, ½ slice of cheese on each slider will weigh it down and be at risk of getting soggy. Blegh!
Tips for the Perfect Chicken Bacon Ranch Slider
- Rotisserie chicken or deli chicken slices will save on prep time.
- For an even cook on each piece of chicken, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. This ensures unobstructed air flow and prevents undercooking.
- If the tops of the rolls or buns are browning too quickly in the oven, tent the baking dish with aluminum foil to reduce burning.
Recipe Variations
Playing around with the slider meat and presentation could transform these crispy bacon and ranch sliders. Here are a few variations to consider that will taste just as fantastic, if not more:
- Top with a Melted Butter Sauce: In a skillet over medium-high heat, melt together ½ stick of butter with ¼ teaspoon each of garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, and dried dill. Sprinkle or brush this garlic butter mixture over the slider bun tops to create a golden brown finish, or brush on the bottom half of the buns for a more marinated effect while baking.
- Pulled Pork Bacon Ranch Sliders: Not a fan of chicken? Not a problem! Pulled pork sliders taste incredible, too. Use equal parts pork instead of chicken, and follow the recipe as directed.
- Beef Sliders: Tender roasted beef sliders are just the yummiest! I got you covered with my Roast Beef Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls recipe (it’s a crowd favorite in my house!)
- Turkey Bacon Ranch Sliders: Swap out the chicken thighs for turkey. Turkey bacon ranch sliders are a great way to use up leftover Thanksgiving turkey.
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Pull-Apart Rolls - Pull-apart sandwiches are just so fun to present and to eat. Keep the slider rolls connected in a giant sheet, halving them like a giant hamburger bun. Assemble the sliders as instructed, layering ½ a chicken thigh, ½ a bacon slice, and ½ a slice of cheddar on each bottom piece, then add the top bun layer in one piece and bake as directed. To serve, place the whole giant chicken bacon melt on a plate, pulling one corner gently away to show your guests how it’s done.
💡Recipe FAQ
Any melting cheese works great on chicken bacon ranch sliders, including sharp Cheddar cheese, Swiss, Provolone, Mozzarella, Colby Jack, and Pepper Jack.
Side dishes like salads, fries (sweet potato fries are my favorite!), and vegetables pair well with chicken sliders at the dinner table.
Leftover sliders can be kept in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 2-3 days. You can also freeze them for longer storage. Wrap each slider individually in plastic wrap and keep in a freezer-safe container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Related Recipes
If you tried these Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders or any other of the delicious recipes on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
📖 Recipe
Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders
Equipment
- 1 air fryer
- 1 sheet tray
Ingredients
- 1 Package Slider Buns
- 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 packet ranch seasoning
- 8 slices of bacon
- 6 slices of sharp cheddar cheese cut in half
- ¼ cup ranch dressing
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and lay out the bacon strips on a foil lined baking sheet.
- Bake the bacon for 7 minutes then flip the bacon.
- Continue cooking an additional 7 minutes until slightly crispy on the edges.
- While the bacon cooks, season the chicken thighs with the ranch packet (check to see if your seasoning has salt, if there is no salt, also season the chicken with 2 teaspoon salt)
- In an air fryer, at 385 degrees, cook the chicken thighs for 7 minutes.
- Flip the chicken thighs then continue cooking another 5-7 minutes until the internal temperature is 165 degrees. Keep in mind you may need to do this air frying in two batches.
- When the chicken is done, carefully slice each chicken thigh into 2 smaller pieces.
- Begin layering the sliders with ½ a bacon slice, ½ a chicken thigh, ½ slice of cheddar cheese then top with the slider bun.
- Repeat until all are finished. These can be baked in a baking dish or on a sheet pan.
- Pop these into the oven for 5 minutes until the cheese is melted.
- Serve with a side of ranch dressing.
Notes
- Refrigerator: Leftover sliders can be kept in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
- Freezer: For longer storage, wrap each slider individually in plastic wrap and keep in a freezer-safe container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Don’t overload the slider. Anything more than ½ a bacon slice, ½ a chicken thigh, ½ slice of cheese on each slider will weigh it down and be at risk of getting soggy. Blegh!
- Rotisserie chicken or deli chicken slices will save on prep time.
- For an even cook on each piece of chicken, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. This ensures unobstructed air flow and prevents undercooking.
- If the tops of the rolls or buns are browning too quickly in the oven, tent the baking dish with aluminum foil to reduce burning.
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