Description

These Maple Chicken Bacon Sliders combine tender, juicy chicken glazed in a sweet and tangy maple-Dijon sauce, crispy bacon, and melted cheddar cheese, all nestled in soft slider buns. Perfect for a crowd-pleasing appetizer or a flavorful main dish, these sliders offer a delightful balance of savory and sweet flavors with a satisfying crunch from the bacon and the freshness of optional butter lettuce.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Bacon

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
8 slices bacon
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Maple Glaze

1/3 cup pure maple syrup
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

Sliders

6 slider buns
6 slices cheddar cheese
Butter lettuce leaves (optional)

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for toasting the slider buns later.
Cook the bacon: Place the bacon slices in a skillet over medium heat and cook until they become crispy. Once cooked, transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat.
Prepare the chicken: Slice the chicken breasts into pieces sized for sliders. Season them evenly with garlic powder and black pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet and cook the chicken slices until they are golden brown and thoroughly cooked, approximately 4-5 minutes on each side.
Make and apply the maple glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the pure maple syrup and Dijon mustard. Brush the cooked chicken pieces generously with this maple mixture, reserving a bit to drizzle later on the sliders.
Toast the slider buns: Slice the slider buns and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly toast them in the oven until just warmed and slightly crisp.
Assemble the sliders: On each bottom bun, layer a piece of maple-glazed chicken, a slice of cheddar cheese, a strip of crispy bacon, and optionally, some butter lettuce leaves for freshness.
Finish and serve: Drizzle the remaining maple glaze over the assembled sliders, close with the top buns, and serve warm for the best flavor experience.

Notes

You can substitute turkey bacon for a leaner option.
Butter lettuce adds a nice fresh crunch, but you can omit if preferred or substitute with spinach or arugula.
For extra flavor, try adding a thin slice of red onion or pickles.
To make preparation easier, cook the bacon first as instructed, then use the same skillet to cook the chicken to retain bacon flavor.
Leftover sliders can be refrigerated for up to 2 days; reheat gently to avoid drying the chicken.