Crispy golden skin and tender, juicy chicken come together in a way that’s truly irresistible in this Crispy Chicken Parmesan Sliders Recipe. I’m excited to share how easy it is to nail these sliders, perfect for a cozy night or casual get-together!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
When I first made these sliders, I knew I had found a new favorite for comfort food with a crunchy twist. The balance of crispy chicken, warm marinara, and melted cheese inside a soft bun? It just works every time.
- Crispy Texture: The breading mix with Parmesan and parsley gives that perfect crunchy kick without being greasy.
- Flavor Boost: A splash of buttermilk marinade tenderizes the chicken and adds subtle tang that complements the cheese and sauce beautifully.
- Versatile & Fun: These sliders are fantastic for game days, family dinners, or even as a party appetizer.
- Simple to Nail: I broke down every step in an easy-to-follow way, so you’ll feel confident making your own batch.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient here brings something special, from moisture and flavor to texture and richness. Getting the right balance is key — and I’ll share a few tips I learned the hard way.
- Chicken breasts: Fresh and boneless skinless is best for even cooking and easy slicing into slider-size pieces.
- Buttermilk: Adds flavor and tenderizes the chicken; if you don’t have it, I’ll share some simple swaps that work just as well.
- Flour, seasoned salt & black pepper: This combo helps build the first layer of crust for the breading stage.
- Eggs: Acts like glue to hold that breadcrumb mixture on tight for extra crunch.
- Breadcrumbs, Parmesan, fresh parsley: These amp up the texture and add that Italian-inspired savory flavor that's classic to chicken parm.
- Olive oil & butter: Using both in the skillet browns the chicken beautifully without burning.
- Provolone cheese & frozen mozzarella sticks: The melty cheese duo makes each bite gooey, cheesy, and utterly irresistible.
- Marinara sauce: Classic tangy tomato that balances the richness of cheese and chicken.
- Slider buns: Soft but sturdy enough to hold everything together — homemade or store-bought, just pick good quality ones.
- Butter Topping mix: Garlic, sea salt, Italian seasoning, parsley, and Parmesan brushed on top create a golden, flavorful crust on the buns.
Make It Your Way
I love jazzing these sliders up depending on the occasion — and that’s one of the great things about this recipe: it’s a fantastic base that’s totally tweakable to your liking.
- Variation: One time, I swapped provolone with fresh mozzarella slices and added a pinch of crushed red pepper to the breadcrumb mix—it gave the sliders a creamier center with a little kick that blew my family away.
- Dietary: For a lighter twist, using whole wheat buns and baking the chicken instead of frying works well — just pat the chicken dry so your breading clings nicely.
- Seasonal: Toss in some fresh basil or oregano to the breadcrumb mixture in summer for a fresh herb flavor.
- Difficulty level: If you’re short on time, premarinating the chicken overnight means the flavors sink in deep, and the breading crisps even better.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Crispy Chicken Parmesan Sliders Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Chicken with Love
Start by splitting the chicken breasts in half horizontally to get thinner pieces—about ¾ inch thick. I use wax paper and a meat mallet to gently pound them flat and even. This helps the chicken cook quickly and stay juicy. Cut these into slider-sized portions so they nestle perfectly onto your buns. Marinate them in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes — this is the secret to tender chicken that’s bursting with flavor.
Step 2: Set Up the Breading Station
I like to get organized here—having three bowls ready makes the process a breeze: seasoned flour, whisked eggs, and a breadcrumb mix with Parmesan and parsley. Dip each chicken piece in flour first, shake off excess, then egg, then coat it fully in the breadcrumb blend. This triple coating is what gives you that ideal crispy, golden crust.
Step 3: Cook Your Chicken to Golden Perfection
Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add the chicken and cook about 4 minutes per side until golden brown. Don’t crowd the pan — doing it in batches if needed helps with even browning. Remove from heat and set aside, tempting your taste buds already!
Step 4: Assemble the Sliders
Place the slider bottoms snugly in a baking dish. Add each crispy chicken piece, spoon marinara sauce over top, then layer with provolone slices and the baked frozen mozzarella sticks you prepared earlier. Pop the buns over the top.
Step 5: Add That Perfect Butter Topping
Mix melted butter with sea salt, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, parsley, and Parmesan cheese. Brush generously over the buns, then cover everything with foil and bake at 350°F for 8 minutes. Remove the foil, bake a few more minutes until the buns are golden and that topping has set beautifully.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Let the sliders cool just a bit — then dig in! The combination of crunchy chicken, gooey cheese, and herby buns will have you coming back for seconds in no time.
Top Tip
Over the years, I’ve learned that a few small tweaks make all the difference in this Crispy Chicken Parmesan Sliders Recipe. These tips helped me up my game and I hope they help you, too!
- Use Wax Paper When Pounding: This keeps the chicken from sticking and makes cleanup easy—also ensures an even thickness for perfect cooking.
- Don’t Skip the Buttermilk Soak: It tenderizes and seasons, giving the chicken that juicy texture you can’t achieve otherwise.
- Brush the Buns with the Butter Topping Twice: For even more flavor, apply once before baking and again right after for a shiny, extra savory crust.
- Watch Your Oil Temperature: Too hot and the crust burns before chicken cooks through; too cool and it soaks up grease. Medium-high heat hits that spot just right.
How to Serve Crispy Chicken Parmesan Sliders Recipe
Garnishes
I love fresh parsley sprinkled on top, maybe a little extra grated Parmesan. Sometimes I add a drizzle of balsamic glaze for a tangy twist — it brightens the whole slider experience beautifully.
Side Dishes
These sliders shine with crisp green salads, garlic-roasted veggies, or a simple bowl of pasta tossed in olive oil and fresh herbs. For a casual vibe, sweet potato fries or seasoned potato wedges are great companions.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I like to arrange these sliders on a rustic wooden board and scatter some cherry tomatoes and basil leaves around for color. You can also skewer each slider with decorative toothpicks to keep them neat and easy to grab during gatherings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover sliders in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When stacking, I separate layers with parchment paper to keep the breading crisp and prevent sogginess.
Freezing
These sliders freeze beautifully—wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then foil, or place in freezer bags. They will keep well for up to 2 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
I reheat leftovers in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes, uncovered, to help the breading stay crispy and the cheese melt again. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep texture intact, but if you do, zap for short intervals and finish under the broiler for a minute if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can make a substitute by mixing 4 tablespoons of milk with enough sour cream or plain yogurt to make 1 cup. Alternatively, mix a tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice with milk and let it sit for 5-10 minutes to curdle—a perfect buttermilk replacement.
To keep the chicken crispy, make sure to pat the chicken dry before dredging and avoid overcrowding the pan while frying. Using both olive oil and butter in the skillet helps with even browning. After baking assembled sliders, avoid excess moisture by not over-saucing the chicken before layering cheese. Reheat in the oven to maintain crispness.
Yes, you can assemble the sliders in advance and store them covered in the refrigerator before baking. Brush with the butter topping right before baking for best results. This makes prep easier and lets flavors meld together nicely.
I recommend using soft but sturdy slider buns, about 4 inches in diameter. Homemade bakery buns or good-quality store-bought options both work well. The buns should be able to hold all the fillings without falling apart, and toasting nicely with the butter topping adds flavor and texture.
Final Thoughts
This Crispy Chicken Parmesan Sliders Recipe has become a go-to comfort food for me and my family—not just because it tastes amazing, but because it feels like a little celebration in every bite. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I did sharing it with you. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll become a staple in your kitchen too!
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Delicious Recipe
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Marinating Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 sliders
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
These Chicken Parmesan Sliders are a delicious twist on the classic Italian favorite, featuring breaded and pan-fried chicken topped with marinara sauce, provolone cheese, and melted mozzarella sticks, all nestled in buttery slider buns. Perfect for a crowd-pleasing appetizer or a fun main course, these sliders combine crispy chicken with gooey cheese and flavorful seasonings for a satisfying bite.
Ingredients
Chicken and Breading
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ¾ cup flour
- 2 teaspoons seasoned salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large eggs, whisked
- 1½ cups breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- ½ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
Toppings and Assembly
- 6 slices provolone cheese
- ½ cup marinara sauce
- 18 frozen mozzarella sticks
- 6 slider buns
Butter Topping
- ¼ cup butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Butterfly each chicken breast and cut to create thinner slices about ¾ inch thick. Cut each portion to match the size of the slider buns, then pound them flat using a meat pounder between sheets of wax paper as needed.
- Marinate the chicken: Place the buttermilk in a large freezer bag, add the chicken pieces, seal, and marinate for at least 30 minutes or overnight in the refrigerator.
- Set up breading stations: In three separate bowls, combine: (1) flour, seasoned salt, and black pepper; (2) whisked eggs; (3) breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, and chopped parsley.
- Bread the chicken: Remove the chicken from buttermilk, letting excess drip off. Dredge each piece first in the flour mixture, then dip briefly in the egg, and finally coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture.
- Preheat the oven and bake mozzarella sticks: Set oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and bake frozen mozzarella sticks for 7 minutes; then remove and set aside.
- Cook the chicken: Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees. Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the breaded chicken pieces for about 4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove from heat.
- Assemble sliders: Arrange bottom halves of slider buns in a casserole dish. Layer cooked chicken pieces on buns, spoon marinara sauce over chicken, then top with provolone slices and baked mozzarella sticks. Place the top buns over sliders.
- Prepare butter topping and bake sliders: Mix melted butter, sea salt, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, fresh parsley, and Parmesan in a small bowl. Brush this mixture generously over the tops of the buns.
- Bake sliders: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 8 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 3 minutes until the buns are golden brown on top.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve warm. Enjoy your cheesy, crispy Chicken Parmesan Sliders!
Notes
- Slider buns used were about 4 inches in diameter, suitable for this recipe.
- Buttermilk substitutes can be made by mixing 4 tablespoons milk plus enough sour cream to make 1 cup; or 2 tablespoons milk plus enough plain yogurt to make 1 cup.
- Another buttermilk substitute option is 1 tablespoon white vinegar or lemon juice plus enough milk to make 1 cup; let sit for 5-10 minutes until curdled before using.
- For a crispier crust, double dredge the chicken by repeating egg and breadcrumb steps.
- Frozen mozzarella sticks can be baked according to package directions for convenience.
- Use fresh parsley and good quality Parmesan cheese for best flavor in the breadcrumb and butter topping mixtures.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
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