These Chicken Pesto Sliders are a game-changer when you need something impressive yet ridiculously simple to prepare. Warm, buttery rolls stuffed with savory chicken, melty mozzarella, and fresh homemade pesto create the perfect bite-sized sandwiches. Ready in just 30 minutes, they’re ideal for everything from quick family dinners to party appetizers!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Ready in 30 Minutes: From prep to table in half an hour, making these sliders a perfect solution for busy weeknights when you need something delicious without the wait.
  • Crowd-Pleaser: These sliders have that magical combination of flavors that everyone loves – the buttery rolls, savory chicken, gooey cheese, and vibrant pesto create irresistible bites.
  • Versatile: Serve them as a main dish with a side salad, as party appetizers, or pack them for lunch the next day. They’re delicious hot or at room temperature!
  • Fresh Homemade Pesto: Making your own pesto takes these sliders to another level and only requires a few minutes of your time. The difference in flavor is absolutely worth it!

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Savory Buttery Rolls: King’s Hawaiian rolls create the perfect base with their slightly sweet, ultra-soft texture. Their butter flavor complements the fillings beautifully.
  • Deli Chicken: Southern fried deli chicken adds savory flavor without any cooking required. The thin slices work perfectly in these compact sandwiches.
  • Mozzarella Cheese: Low-moisture part-skim mozzarella provides that ideal melt factor without making the sliders soggy, creating those irresistible cheese pulls when you take a bite.
  • Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves provide a punchy flavor foundation for the homemade pesto. Don’t skimp here!
  • Fresh Basil: The star of any good pesto, fresh basil brings bright, aromatic flavor that dried herbs simply can’t match.
  • Fresh Spinach: A wonderful way to sneak in extra greens while adding nutrition and a beautiful color to your pesto.
  • Lemon Juice: Adds brightness and balances the rich flavors in the pesto. Fresh is always best!
  • Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that bring all the flavors together. Season to your taste preference.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

  • Protein Swap: Try using leftover Thanksgiving turkey, rotisserie chicken, or even sliced ham instead of deli chicken.
  • Cheese Options: Swap mozzarella for provolone, Swiss, or a combination of your favorite melting cheeses.
  • Pesto Additions: Add pine nuts, walnuts, or parmesan cheese to your homemade pesto for extra flavor and texture.
  • Veggie Version: Replace chicken with grilled portobello mushrooms, roasted red peppers, and zucchini for a vegetarian option.
  • Spicy Kick: Add crushed red pepper flakes to your pesto or layer in some sliced jalapeños for heat lovers.

How to Make Chicken Pesto Sliders

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Preheat your oven to 375°F. Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick spray. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup much easier.

Step 2: Prepare the Rolls

Slice the pack of buttery rolls horizontally through the middle, keeping all 12 rolls connected. You’ll have one large top piece and one large bottom piece. Place the bottom half in your prepared baking dish.

Step 3: Layer the Fillings

Arrange the deli chicken evenly across the bottom half of the rolls. Layer the mozzarella cheese slices on top of the chicken, making sure to cover all areas for maximum cheesy goodness.

Step 4: Make Fresh Pesto

In a food processor or blender, combine the fresh basil, spinach, garlic, lemon juice, water, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth and vibrant green. This fresh pesto will elevate your sliders to restaurant quality!

Step 5: Add Pesto and Assemble

Pour most of the fresh pesto over the cheese layer, spreading it evenly. Brush the underside of the top half of rolls with some of the remaining pesto, then place on top of the filled bottom half to complete the sliders.

Step 6: Cut and Bake

Use a sharp knife to cut through the assembled sliders, creating 12 individual sandwiches while they’re still in the baking dish. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 15 minutes, then remove foil and bake an additional 5 minutes until golden and crispy on top.

Step 7: Serve

Remove from the oven when cheese is melted and bubbly. Let cool for just a minute before serving warm.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

  • Don’t Skip Cutting Before Baking: Cutting the sliders before baking is crucial since the meat overlaps and would be difficult to separate after baking.
  • Quality Ingredients Matter: Since this recipe has few ingredients, choose good quality deli meat and fresh basil for the best flavor.
  • Make Extra Pesto: Double the pesto recipe and save half for pasta later in the week – it keeps well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
  • Toast the Bottoms: For extra crispiness, place the bottom half of rolls in the oven for 3-5 minutes before adding toppings.
  • Let Sliders Rest: Allow them to cool for 2-3 minutes after baking so the cheese can set slightly, making them easier to serve.

How to Serve

Main Course Pairing

Serve these sliders with a simple green salad, roasted vegetables, or sweet potato fries for a complete meal.

Party Presentation

For entertaining, arrange sliders on a large platter and garnish with fresh basil leaves. Place toothpicks in each for easy grabbing.

Make it a Spread

Create a slider bar with these pesto chicken sliders alongside other varieties like ham and cheese or meatball sliders.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store cooled sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually improve overnight as the pesto infuses into the bread.

Freezing

These sliders freeze surprisingly well! Wrap individual sliders tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to 1 month. Perfect for quick lunches or dinners.

Reheating

For best results, reheat refrigerated sliders in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes or until warmed through. From frozen, unwrap and heat in a 325°F oven for about 15-20 minutes. You can also microwave them for about 30 seconds, though the bread won’t stay as crispy.

FAQs

  1. Can I use store-bought pesto instead of making my own?

    Absolutely! While homemade pesto delivers incredible fresh flavor, a good quality store-bought pesto works perfectly in a time crunch. Look for refrigerated options rather than shelf-stable varieties for better flavor.

  2. How can I prevent my sliders from getting soggy?

    The key is using low-moisture mozzarella and not oversaturating with pesto. If making ahead, consider adding the pesto just before baking. You can also lightly toast the bottom half of the rolls for 3-5 minutes before adding toppings.

  3. What’s the best way to serve these at a party?

    These sliders are perfect party food! Make them ahead and keep them warm in the oven at 200°F until serving. For self-service, place toothpicks in each slider and arrange on a platter lined with parchment paper. They’re delicious even at room temperature.

  4. Can I make these vegetarian?

    Definitely! Replace the chicken with grilled vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, or portobello mushrooms. You could also use a plant-based chicken alternative or simply add extra cheese and a layer of fresh tomato slices.

Final Thoughts

These Chicken Pesto Sliders transform simple ingredients into something truly special. They strike that perfect balance between impressive and easy that we’re all looking for in our everyday cooking. The combination of warm, buttery rolls, savory chicken, melty cheese, and fresh, vibrant pesto creates irresistible bites that will have everyone reaching for seconds. Give them a try for your next dinner or gathering – I promise they’ll become a regular in your recipe rotation!

Print
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Chicken Pesto Sliders Recipe

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  • Author: Jaden Christner
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 12 sliders 1x
  • Category: Main-course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Halal
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Description

These Chicken Pesto Sliders are a crowd-pleasing, easy-to-make main course featuring savory buttery rolls, tender deli chicken, melty mozzarella cheese, and a fresh homemade basil-spinach pesto. Baked to golden perfection, they’re ideal for parties, game days, or a quick family dinner.

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Sliders

  • 1 (12-pack) Savory Buttery Rolls (e.g. King’s Hawaiian)
  • 8 slices Deli Chicken (e.g. Dietz & Watson Southern Fried)
  • 6 slices Low-Moisture Part-Skim Mozzarella Cheese

For the Pesto

  • 1–2 cloves garlic
  • 1 cup fresh basil
  • 1 cup fresh spinach
  • 1 Tbsp. water
  • 1/4 lemon, juiced
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Optional Toppings

  • Dried minced onion
  • Sesame seeds
  • Everything but the bagel seasoning

Instructions

  1. Prepare Baking Dish. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish (or one large enough for all the rolls) with nonstick spray and set aside.
  2. Slice the Rolls. Keeping all 12 rolls connected, slice through the entire pack horizontally to create a top and bottom half.
  3. Assemble Sliders. Layer four slices of deli chicken evenly across the bottom rolls, then add the remaining four slices on top. Arrange three slices of mozzarella cheese over the top half of the rolls and three over the bottom half so the cheese evenly overlaps.
  4. Make the Pesto. In a food processor or blender, add fresh basil, spinach, garlic, lemon juice, water, salt, and pepper. Blend thoroughly until the mixture is well combined into a smooth pesto.
  5. Apply the Pesto. Brush a thin layer of the fresh pesto over the tops of the rolls. Pour the remaining pesto evenly over the mozzarella cheese layer.
  6. Add Roll Tops and Season. Place the top half of the rolls back onto the assembled sliders. Optionally, sprinkle with dried minced onion, sesame seeds, or everything but the bagel seasoning for extra flavor and texture.
  7. Pre-Cut the Rolls. Place the entire set of rolls into the prepared baking dish. Using a sharp knife, cut through all 12 rolls individually to make them easy to pull apart after baking.
  8. Bake. Loosely cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 5 minutes to allow the tops to crisp up.
  9. Serve. Carefully remove from the oven once cheese is fully melted. Serve the sliders hot and enjoy your delicious chicken pesto sliders.

Notes

  • Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on ingredient brands and substitutions.
  • These sliders are best enjoyed immediately while the cheese is still melty and fresh.
  • You can use leftover turkey, ham, or rotisserie chicken as substitutes for deli chicken.
  • Customize topping options for added crunch and flavor as desired.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slider
  • Calories: 175
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 420 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3.5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 19 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 11 g
  • Cholesterol: 27 mg
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Hey everyone! I'm Jaden, and welcome to YummyHere! Basically, I'm obsessed with food. Like, really obsessed. So, I figured, why not share all my yummy creations with the world? Hopefully, you'll find something here that makes you say "Yum!" (because that's the goal, right?). Let's get cooking!

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