Maple Chicken Bacon Sliders (Printable Version)
Sweet and savory sliders with juicy chicken, crispy bacon, and a rich maple glaze on toasted buns.
# Ingredient List:
→ Meats
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 6 slices thick-cut bacon
→ Marinade & Glaze
03 - 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
04 - 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
05 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
06 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
07 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
→ Buns & Toppings
10 - 6 slider buns
11 - 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
12 - 1 cup baby arugula or mixed greens
13 - 6 slices cheddar cheese (optional)
14 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
15 - Butter, for toasting buns
# How to Make:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
02 - Slice each chicken breast horizontally to create 6 equal small fillets.
03 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, olive oil, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt until well combined.
04 - Add the chicken fillets to the marinade, turning to coat evenly. Let rest for 10 minutes at room temperature.
05 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon slices until crispy, about 4-5 minutes per side. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
06 - Remove chicken from the marinade, reserving the leftover marinade. In the same skillet over medium-high heat, sear the chicken fillets for 3-4 minutes per side until cooked through. Set aside.
07 - Pour the reserved marinade into the skillet. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened. Brush the reduced glaze generously over each cooked chicken fillet.
08 - If using cheddar, place a slice on each glazed chicken fillet and broil for about 1 minute until melted and bubbly.
09 - Lightly brush the cut sides of each slider bun with butter. Toast in a skillet over medium heat until golden brown.
10 - Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on each bottom bun. Layer with arugula, a glazed chicken fillet, a strip of crispy bacon, sliced red onion, and the top bun. Serve immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The sweet maple glaze cuts through the salty bacon in the most perfect way
- These come together in under 40 minutes but taste like you spent all day cooking
02 -
- Do not overcook the chicken or it will dry out, those thin fillets cook fast
- The glaze thickens quickly so watch it closely or it will burn
03 -
- Pound the chicken slightly before slicing for more even cooking
- Let the chicken rest 5 minutes after cooking so it stays juicy