Jimmy’s Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe
If you’re looking for a new crowd-pleasing dish that packs a punch of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors, look no further than Jimmy’s Bang Bang Chicken Sliders. From the succulent, saucy shredded chicken to the irresistible melted cheese and soft pretzel buns, each bite feels like a mini-vacation for your taste buds. This is one of those recipes that everyone will be talking about, whether you serve it up at a party, a picnic, or just a cozy weeknight dinner.

Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Jimmy’s Bang Bang Chicken Sliders is how each ingredient brings something special to the table. From a bold sauce and tender chicken to creamy cheese and zesty garnishes, every component helps balance big flavors without overcomplicating the process.
- Chicken thighs: Juicy, tender, and perfect for shredding, these are the base for intensely flavorful sliders.
- Olive oil: Provides richness while helping the chicken brown beautifully and the buns stay golden.
- Ketchup: Lays down a mellow sweetness that acts as a canvas for the sauce.
- Sriracha chili sauce: Delivers vibrant heat and depth for that signature bang bang kick!
- Honey: Balances out the spice with a pleasant, sticky sweetness.
- Water: Keeps the sauce the perfect consistency so every bite is juicy, not dry.
- Lime juice: Injects a fresh citrus pop that brightens the whole dish.
- Grated lime zest: Intensifies the lime flavor and aroma; don’t skip it!
- Minced garlic: Adds irresistible savory notes to make the flavors sing.
- Ground ginger: Infuses a subtle warmth and makes the sauce extra vibrant.
- Pepper: Gives a touch of backbone to the sauce without overwhelming the other seasonings.
- Pretzel buns: Slightly salty, soft, and sturdy enough to hold all that juicy chicken and cheese.
- Part-skim mozzarella cheese: Melts into gooey perfection and balances spicy with creamy.
- Crushed red pepper flakes: Use as much or as little as you want for extra heat and a pretty fleck of color.
- Coarse salt (optional): Sprinkling a bit on the buns adds a craveably salty crunch—perfect for pretzel lovers.
- Green onions: For a final flourish of color and fresh bite right before serving.
- Reduced-fat mayonnaise (for dipping sauce): Acts as the creamy base for the zesty, spicy dip.
- Sriracha chili sauce (for dipping sauce): Adds that signature heat to elevate the sauce.
- Lime juice (for dipping sauce): Cuts the richness and brightens every dip.
- Grated lime zest (for dipping sauce): Extra zing and aroma for an unforgettable finishing touch.
How to Make Jimmy’s Bang Bang Chicken Sliders
Step 1: Brown the Chicken
Start by heating 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the boneless skinless chicken thighs, letting them brown for five minutes. You don’t need to cook them through yet, but this bit of searing builds deep savory flavor right from the start.
Step 2: Prepare and Simmer the Sauce
While the chicken sizzles, stir together the ketchup, sriracha, 1/2 cup honey, water, lime juice and zest, minced garlic, ground ginger, and pepper in a bowl. Pour this vibrant, punchy sauce over the browned chicken in the pot. Bring everything to a boil, then immediately lower the heat and cover. Let it cook gently, stirring every now and then, until the chicken is melt-in-your-mouth tender—about 25 to 30 minutes.
Step 3: Shred the Chicken and Thicken the Sauce
Once the chicken is luscious and tender, remove it from the pot, but don’t toss the sauce! Increase the heat and let the sauce simmer uncovered for about 5 minutes to thicken it up. Meanwhile, shred the chicken with two forks until every piece is bite-sized and ready for a slider. Then, toss the shredded chicken back in with the sauce so it soaks up all those irresistible flavors.
Step 4: Assemble the Sliders
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. In a greased 13×9-inch baking dish, lay down the bottoms of your mini pretzel buns. Top each one with half a slice of mozzarella cheese, then pile on the hot, saucy chicken. Add the other half of the cheese on top before capping them with the pretzel bun tops for double the gooey goodness.
Step 5: Brush and Bake
Mix together the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 2 tablespoons honey, and your chosen amount of red pepper flakes. Brush this sticky-sweet mixture over the tops of the buns for a gorgeous golden finish. If you love extra crunch, sprinkle a little coarse salt on top. Bake the sliders for 10 to 15 minutes, until the tops are gleaming and the cheese is lovely and melted.
Step 6: Garnish and Make the Dipping Sauce
Once out of the oven, scatter fresh green onions over your glorious Jimmy’s Bang Bang Chicken Sliders for a burst of bright flavor and color. For the sriracha-lime dipping sauce, just stir together reduced-fat mayonnaise, sriracha, lime juice, and lime zest in a bowl. Serve the sauce alongside the warm sliders for dunking, drizzling, or spreading to your heart’s content.
How to Serve Jimmy’s Bang Bang Chicken Sliders

Garnishes
A shower of freshly chopped green onions just before serving lifts the sliders with freshness and brings a pop of color. For extra flair, you could even add a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds or a squeeze of extra lime juice—it’s these little touches that make Jimmy’s Bang Bang Chicken Sliders shine even brighter.
Side Dishes
These sliders play well with a whole range of sides. Think crunchy slaw, sweet potato fries, or a crisp cucumber salad for something cooling. If you want to go classic, pile a platter high with kettle chips and let everyone dig in; the creamy-sweet-spicy notes of the sliders complement just about anything you put next to them.
Creative Ways to Present
Set up a DIY slider bar so guests can add their favorite toppings—extra sauce, sliced jalapeños, or even a little pickled cabbage. For game day, pile the sliders high on a wooden board for a rustic, interactive feel. Individually wrapping each slider in parchment paper with a toothpick makes them perfect for grab-and-go at picnics or parties.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Jimmy’s Bang Bang Chicken Sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The chicken mixture will keep well for up to 3 days. To prevent the buns from getting soggy, it’s best to store the buns and chicken separately if you know you’re prepping extra ahead of time.
Freezing
If you’d like to freeze the chicken filling, let it cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container or bag. Jimmy’s Bang Bang Chicken Sliders filling can be frozen for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, just thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently before assembling sliders.
Reheating
To reheat the chicken, use a covered skillet over low heat or microwave in short bursts, stirring in a splash of water if needed to keep things saucy. If you stored the assembled sliders, warm them in a 300 degree oven until hot and the cheese is melty again. The flavors are just as bold and delicious the next day!
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Absolutely! Chicken breasts work in a pinch, though thighs tend to stay juicier and shred more easily for Jimmy’s Bang Bang Chicken Sliders. Just keep an eye on them and avoid overcooking so they stay tender.
How spicy are these sliders?
These sliders deliver a pleasant kick without being overwhelmingly hot. The honey and mozzarella help balance the sriracha and red pepper flakes. If you want more heat, add additional sriracha or red pepper flakes; for less, simply use a milder chili sauce and skip the extra flakes.
Can I make the sliders ahead of time and bake later?
Yes! You can assemble the sliders (leaving off the brushing mixture and toppings) and store them covered in the refrigerator for up to a day. When you’re ready to serve, brush the tops and bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes if baking straight from the fridge.
What’s the best way to shred the chicken?
You can use two forks for a classic shred, or for even quicker results, pop the cooked chicken into a stand mixer with a paddle attachment for 20-30 seconds. Either method gives you that irresistible, pull-apart texture that makes Jimmy’s Bang Bang Chicken Sliders so satisfying.
Is there a substitute for pretzel buns?
If you can’t locate pretzel buns, any sturdy mini slider buns or even Hawaiian rolls will work. Pretzel buns just add that delightful chewy texture and salty finish that make Jimmy’s Bang Bang Chicken Sliders unforgettable!
Final Thoughts
Ready to wow your family or friends? Jimmy’s Bang Bang Chicken Sliders offer a lively twist on classic comfort food—equal parts fun, satisfying, and utterly delicious. Give them a try and watch how quickly they disappear from the table!
PrintJimmy’s Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe
These Jimmy’s Bang Bang Chicken Sliders are a spicy and sweet delight, perfect for a party or a casual dinner. The tender chicken thighs are coated in a flavorful sauce, topped with melted mozzarella cheese, and served in mini pretzel buns. Don’t forget to dip them in the zesty Sriracha-lime sauce for an extra kick!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 sliders 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking, Simmering
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
For the Chicken Sliders:
- 3 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup Sriracha chili sauce
- 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons honey, divided
- 1/2 cup water
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 teaspoons grated lime zest
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 12 mini pretzel buns, split
- 12 slices part-skim mozzarella cheese, halved
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Coarse salt, optional
- 2 green onions, chopped
For the Sriracha-Lime Dipping Sauce:
- 1 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons Sriracha chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 teaspoons grated lime zest
Instructions
- Brown the Chicken: In a Dutch oven, brown chicken in 1 tablespoon olive oil for 5 minutes.
- Prepare the Sauce: Combine ketchup, chili sauce, 1/2 cup honey, water, lime juice, lime zest, garlic, ginger, and pepper. Pour over browned chicken and simmer until tender.
- Assemble the Sliders: Preheat oven and layer bottom buns with cheese and chicken mixture. Top with remaining cheese and bun tops brushed with olive oil, honey, and red pepper flakes.
- Bake: Bake sliders until golden and cheese melts, about 10-15 minutes. Garnish with green onions.
- Make the Dipping Sauce: Combine mayonnaise, Sriracha, lime juice, and lime zest. Serve alongside sliders.
Notes
- For extra heat, increase the amount of Sriracha in the sauce.
- You can customize the sliders by adding toppings like avocado or pickled jalapenos.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Chicken Sliders, Bang Bang Chicken, Spicy Sliders, Party Food, Sriracha-Lime Sauce