Description
These Honey Mustard Chicken Sliders feature crispy fried chicken breasts coated in a flavorful breading and topped with a tangy honey mustard sauce. Perfectly sized for slider buns and garnished with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles, these sliders make a delicious, crowd-pleasing appetizer or meal. The chicken is pan-fried to golden perfection and paired with a creamy, sweet, and tangy sauce that balances every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into slider-sized portions (about 2–3 inches square)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a little kick)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil, for frying
For the Honey Mustard Sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For Assembling the Sliders:
- 12 slider buns
- 4 slices cheddar cheese, quartered (or 16 small squares)
- Lettuce leaves, for topping (optional)
- Sliced tomatoes, for topping (optional)
- Pickle chips, for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken Pieces: Cut chicken breasts into slider-sized portions approximately 2-3 inches square and about 1/2 inch thick. For thicker breasts, butterfly them to create thinner, even pieces that will fry evenly.
- Set up the Breading Station: Prepare three shallow dishes: Dish 1 with flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper (optional), salt, and black pepper; Dish 2 with beaten eggs; Dish 3 with panko breadcrumbs.
- Bread the Chicken: Dredge each chicken piece first in the flour mixture, then dip in the beaten eggs, and finally coat thoroughly with panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.
- Rest the Breaded Chicken: Place the breaded chicken pieces on a plate or baking sheet and let them rest for 10-15 minutes to help the coating set and adhere better during frying.
- Heat the Oil: In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil about 1/4 inch deep over medium-high heat. The oil is ready when a breadcrumb dropped into it sizzles immediately and turns golden brown.
- Fry the Chicken: Carefully place breaded chicken pieces in the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the skillet. Fry chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Remove and Drain: Use a slotted spoon to transfer the fried chicken to a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil and keep the coating crispy.
- Make the Honey Mustard Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, honey, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Adjust the Sauce to Taste: Taste the honey mustard sauce and add more honey if you prefer it sweeter or more apple cider vinegar for extra tanginess.
- Chill the Sauce (Optional): Refrigerate the sauce for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and intensify.
- Prepare the Buns: Lightly toast slider buns if desired to add texture and warmth.
- Assemble the Sliders: Spread the honey mustard sauce evenly on the top and bottom halves of each slider bun. Place a fried chicken piece on the bottom half, add a quarter slice of cheddar cheese on top of the chicken, then layer lettuce, sliced tomatoes, and pickle chips as desired.
- Top with the Bun: Place the top half of the slider bun over the fillings to complete the slider.
- Serve Immediately: Serve the sliders right away while the chicken is warm and crispy to ensure best texture and flavor.
Notes
- You can butterfly thicker chicken breasts to ensure even cooking and thinner slider portions.
- Adjust cayenne pepper amount to control the heat level according to your taste.
- Resting the breaded chicken before frying improves the coating adhesion and results in crispier crust.
- Use a wire rack to drain fried chicken for maintaining crispiness; paper towels alone can cause sogginess.
- To keep sliders warm while assembling, place fried chicken pieces on a baking sheet in a 200°F (93°C) oven.
- Optional toppings like lettuce, tomato, and pickles add freshness and balance the richness of fried chicken and sauce.
- For a healthier twist, bake the breaded chicken in the oven at 400°F (204°C) for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Honey Mustard Chicken Sliders, Fried Chicken Sliders, Honey Mustard Sauce, Slider Recipe, Appetizer, Finger Food
