Maple Chicken Bacon Sliders (Printable)
Sweet maple-glazed chicken and crispy bacon stacked on toasted buns with arugula for a crowd-pleasing bite.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 6 slices thick-cut bacon
→ Marinade and 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 salt
→ Buns and Toppings
10 - 6 slider buns
11 - 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
12 - 1 cup baby arugula or mixed greens
13 - 6 slices cheddar cheese (optional)
14 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
15 - Butter, for toasting buns
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
02 - Slice each chicken breast horizontally to create 6 evenly sized small 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, coating evenly. Allow to rest for 10 minutes at room temperature.
05 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon slices until golden and crispy, approximately 4 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
06 - Remove chicken from the marinade, reserving the remaining liquid. Sear the fillets in the skillet over medium-high heat for 3 to 4 minutes per side until fully cooked through. Set aside.
07 - Pour the reserved marinade into the skillet. Simmer for 2 to 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 for 1 minute until melted and bubbly.
09 - Lightly brush the cut sides of each slider bun with butter. Toast in a skillet over medium heat until golden brown.
10 - Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on each bottom bun. Layer with arugula, glazed chicken, crispy bacon, sliced red onion, and the top bun. Serve immediately.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The maple Dijon glaze caramelizes on the chicken and creates this gorgeous sticky crust that tastes like something from a restaurant.
- They come together in about half an hour, which means you can pull them off for a weeknight dinner without stress.
02 -
- Do not toss the marinade after removing the chicken because reducing it in the pan creates the glaze that makes these sliders unforgettable.
- Let the bacon grease render slowly from a cold pan rather than starting with high heat, and you will get evenly crisp strips every single time.
03 -
- Press down gently on the chicken fillets with your spatula during searing to get even contact with the pan and a better crust.
- A light lager or sparkling cider alongside these sliders complements the sweet and savory flavors without competing with them.