Why I love these chicken parm sliders
These easy chicken parm sliders combine the classic flavors of chicken parmesan with the convenience of a bite-sized treat which makes them the ultimate crowd-pleaser.
They’re also super easy to put together, can be assembled ahead of time and everyone loves them.
What’s not to love about breaded chicken cutlets combined with gooey mozzarella cheese and tangy marinara sauce all nestled between soft Hawaiian rolls. So much goodness!
Which is why I love to serve them as appetizers at parties (especially my annual Super Bowl party).
And there’s never any leftovers. So I guess everyone else loves them as much as I do.
More delicious appetizers
Ingredients
Here is your shopping list (for 12 sliders):
- Bread – 1 package of 12 Hawaiian rolls – Soft, slightly sweet buns like Hawaiian rolls work well because they complement the savory chicken and sauce.
- Meat – 5 breaded chicken cutlets. These should be pre-cooked, and if you are using frozen ones, thawed before making the sliders.
- Dairy – 6 slices mozzarella cheese, 3 Tablespoons butter, 2 Tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese.
- Condiments – 1 cup marinara sauce
- Herbs – 1 tablespoon fresh parsley
- Spices – 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Substitutions & Additions
- You can use slider buns, mini burger buns or dinner rolls instead of the Hawaiian rolls.
- Provolone, Monterey Jack, or a shredded Italian blend cheese are great alternatives for the Mozzarella if you want to experiment with different flavors.
- If you don’t have fresh parsley, you can replace it with 1 teaspoon dried parsley (although the fresh herbs taste better).
How to make chicken Parmesan sliders
1 | Prep work
Preheat your oven to 350°F, ensuring it reaches the right temperature before you start baking. This helps the sliders cook evenly.
Finely chop the fresh parsley.
Melt the butter in a small microwave-safe bowl. The best way to do this is to cut the butter into smaller pieces (which helps it melt more evenly). Then, eat it in short bursts of 10-15 seconds, stirring in between to prevent any burning.
2 | Put the sliders together
Keep the slider rolls intact as you slice them horizontally.
A serrated knife works best for this, as it cuts through the bread without squishing it.
Place the bottom half in a 9″ x 13″ baking dish, which should be large enough to fit all the rolls snugly.
Arrange the breaded chicken tenders evenly on the bottom layer. Don’t worry if they don’t fit perfectly on top of the rolls. (One piece of chicken is usually bigger than one dinner roll.)
Spoon marinara sauce over the chicken, spreading it out with the back of the spoon for even coverage.
Next, lay slices of mozzarella cheese over the chicken.
Place the top half of the slider rolls over everything, ensuring they align with the bottom half.
3 | Make the topping
In a small bowl, mix the melted butter with grated Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, and garlic powder.
Stir until everything is well combined.
Use a pastry brush to apply the butter mixture over the top of the rolls.
4 | Bake
Cover the baking dish with foil. This traps steam and helps the cheese melt without the tops browning too quickly. Bake for 10 minutes.
Then remove the foil to allow the tops to turn a nice golden brown. Bake for an additional 5 minutes, keeping an eye on the tops to prevent burning.
Once done, remove from the oven and let the sliders cool slightly. This resting time allows the cheese to set a bit, making it easier to slice.
5 | Serve
Using a sharp knife, cut the rolls into individual sliders.
Serve them warm for the best texture and flavor.
If needed, a spatula can help lift the sliders out of the dish without losing any toppings. Enjoy your delicious chicken parm sliders!
Serving suggestions
I like to serve these chicken sliders as appetizers with extra marinara sauce for dipping.
But they are pretty tasty all on their own.
And if you want to make a meal out of them, a fresh green salad is a good pairing.
How to make ahead
As usual, I like recipes that can be made ahead of time for my parties.
While this one needs to be baked just in time to serve, you can assemble the sliders in advance.
Put them all together and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a day. Or freeze (unbaked) for up to a month (thaw in the refrigerator before cooking).
When you’re ready to serve, bake them covered in foil at 350°F for about 20 minutes.
Then uncover and bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes to crisp up the top.
Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Reheat in the oven or a toaster oven to keep the rolls from getting soggy.
Frequently asked questions
How do I keep the sliders from getting soggy?
If you’re worried about sogginess, lightly toast the bottom half of the slider rolls in the oven before assembly. This crisps the bread and creates a barrier that helps prevent the rolls from absorbing too much sauce.
Chicken Parmesan Sliders
Ingredients
- 1 12-roll package Hawaiian rolls
- 5 breaded chicken cutlets precooked and thawed (if frozen)
- 1 cup marinara sauce
plus more for dipping if desired - 6 slices mozzarella cheese
- 3 Tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 Tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Equipment
- 9" x 13" baking dish
- serrated bread knife
- measuring cups and spoons
- small microwave-able bowl
- small mixing bowl and mixing spoon
- Pastry brush
- aluminum foil
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Without separating the slider rolls, slice them in half horizontally to create a top and bottom layer. Place the bottom half in a baking dish.1 12-roll package Hawaiian rolls
- Place the breaded chicken cutlets evenly over the bottom half of the slider rolls.5 breaded chicken cutlets
- Spoon marinara sauce over the chicken.1 cup marinara sauce
- Lay the slices of mozzarella cheese over the chicken and sauce, covering evenly.6 slices mozzarella cheese
- Place the top half of the slider rolls over the top.
- In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, grated parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, and garlic powder. Stir until well mixed.3 Tablespoons butter, melted, 2 Tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
, 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped, 1 teaspoon garlic powder - Brush the butter mixture over the top of the rolls.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 10 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the tops are golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.
- Slice into individual sliders and serve warm.
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Have comments or questions about our chicken parmesan sliders? Tell us in the section below.
This post was originally published on December 17, 2024 but was updated with new content on May 12, 2025.
Do you precook the chicken? If frozen do you cook it from frozen?
Hi Kelly…yes, the chicken should be pre-cooked. Frozen pre-made cutlets should be thawed before making the sliders.
I am making this right now, but can I say how much I love that you include the ingredients under each direction it makes life so much easier than scrolling up to the ingredients list and back down to the directions!
Thanks, Lana! I’m happy you find that helpful 🙂