Maple Chicken Bacon Sliders (Printable)
Sweet maple-glazed chicken and crispy bacon stacked on toasted slider buns with arugula and melted cheddar.
# What You'll Need:
→ 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 kosher salt
→ Buns & Toppings
10 - 6 slider buns
11 - 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
12 - 1 cup baby arugula or mixed greens
13 - 6 slices sharp cheddar cheese (optional)
14 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
15 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened (for toasting buns)
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F.
02 - Slice each chicken breast horizontally to create 6 even, thin 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 a plate lined with paper towels to drain.
06 - Remove the chicken from the marinade, reserving the leftover marinade. In the same skillet or on a grill pan over medium-high heat, sear the chicken fillets for 3-4 minutes per side until cooked through and golden. Transfer to a plate.
07 - Pour the reserved marinade into the skillet and simmer over medium heat for 2-3 minutes 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 in the oven for 1 minute until melted and bubbly.
09 - Lightly brush the cut sides of each slider bun with softened butter. Toast in a skillet over medium heat until golden brown, about 1-2 minutes.
10 - Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on the bottom half of each toasted bun. Layer with arugula, a glazed chicken fillet, a strip of crispy bacon, sliced red onion, and the top bun. Serve immediately.
# Helpful Tips:
01 -
- The maple Dijon glaze strikes that perfect balance between sweet and tangy, and people always ask for the secret behind it.
- Everything comes together in about half an hour, which means less time cooking and more time actually enjoying the party.
- These sliders are endlessly customizable, so you can swap toppings and cheeses based on whatever is hanging around your kitchen.
02 -
- Reserve every drop of marinade before searing the chicken because reducing it into a glaze is what transforms these from ordinary sandwiches into something people will actually remember.
- Watch the glaze closely as it simmers because maple syrup goes from beautifully thickened to acrid and burnt in a matter of seconds if you walk away.
03 -
- Cook the bacon in the same skillet you use for the chicken so the rendered fat adds another layer of flavor to every fillet that hits the pan.
- If you want the glaze extra thick and glossy, stir in a tiny pat of cold butter at the very end of reducing it off the heat.