Description
These Chicken Parmesan Sliders are a deliciously cheesy and savory twist on the classic Italian-American favorite, perfect for parties or a satisfying family meal. Crispy chicken tenders are layered with mozzarella, marinara sauce, and Parmesan cheese on buttery garlic-seasoned slider rolls, then baked until bubbly and golden.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Chicken
- 1 (26 oz) package crispy chicken tenders or chicken breast cutlets (i.e. Perdue or Tyson)
Rolls
- 12 slider rolls
Garlic Butter Mixture
- 4 Tbsp salted butter, melted
- 3 medium garlic cloves, minced or 1 tsp granulated garlic
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp dried Italian seasoning or oregano
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
Cheese and Sauce
- 12 slices mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup thick marinara sauce (plus additional for serving)
- 2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese (divided)
- 1-2 Tbsp chopped fresh Italian parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook Chicken: Cook the crispy chicken tenders on a sheet pan according to the package directions, then allow them to cool completely before assembling the sliders.
- Preheat Oven & Prepare Dish: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 12×8 inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Alternatively, you can line a sheet pan with parchment paper for baking.
- Prepare Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, onion powder, dried Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir well to create a flavorful garlic butter mixture.
- Assemble Bottom Layer: Slice the slider rolls in half horizontally and place the bottom halves into the prepared baking dish. Brush the bottoms of the rolls generously with the garlic butter mixture. Then, layer 6 slices of mozzarella cheese evenly over the buttered rolls.
- Add Sauce and Chicken: Spread 1/2 cup of the marinara sauce over the mozzarella cheese layer. Arrange the cooked chicken tenders evenly on top of the sauce, then drizzle them with the remaining 1/2 cup of marinara sauce.
- Add Cheese and Toppings: Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of grated Parmesan cheese over the chicken, then top with the remaining 6 slices of mozzarella cheese to cover the chicken completely.
- Finish with Top Rolls: Place the top halves of the slider rolls over the cheese-covered chicken. Brush the tops of the rolls with the remaining garlic butter and sprinkle with the reserved Parmesan cheese for a golden finish.
- Bake Covered: Loosely cover the assembled sliders with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes to heat through and melt the cheese.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 3 to 5 minutes until the tops of the rolls are lightly golden and the cheese is bubbling and melted.
- Serve: Use a sharp knife to cut along the roll perforations to separate the sliders. Optionally, garnish with chopped fresh Italian parsley. Serve warm with extra marinara sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
- Use a thick marinara sauce to prevent the sliders from becoming soggy.
- You can substitute crispy chicken tenders with homemade breaded chicken breast cutlets if desired.
- Brush the rolls liberally with garlic butter for maximum flavor and a golden crust.
- Covering the sliders during initial baking helps the cheese melt evenly without drying out the bread.
- Fresh parsley adds a nice color and fresh flavor but is optional.
- These sliders are best served immediately but can be stored covered in the refrigerator and reheated.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.3g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
