Maple Chicken Bacon Sliders (Printable View)
Sweet maple-glazed chicken and crispy bacon stacked on toasted mini buns with melty cheese.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 8 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 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Buns & Assembly
08 - 8 slider buns or mini brioche buns, split and toasted
09 - 8 slices sharp cheddar or smoked gouda cheese
10 - 1 cup baby arugula or mixed greens
11 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
12 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly grease the surface.
02 - Slice each chicken breast in half horizontally, then cut into 8 equal-sized portions for even cooking.
03 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, olive oil, salt, and pepper until well combined.
04 - Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Let rest for 10 to 15 minutes at room temperature.
05 - Arrange the bacon slices on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes until golden and crisp. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
06 - Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the marinated chicken pieces for 3 to 4 minutes per side until fully cooked through with a caramelized exterior.
07 - Brush the cut sides of each bun with melted butter and toast on a hot skillet until lightly golden.
08 - Layer arugula, a chicken piece, a strip of bacon, a slice of cheese, and red onion on the bottom half of each bun. Cap with the top bun.
09 - Secure each slider with a cocktail pick and serve immediately while warm.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The maple Dijon glaze sounds fancy but comes together with pantry staples you probably already have.
- Everything cooks in under twenty minutes, which makes this perfect for game day or a weeknight dinner that still feels special.
- Bacon and maple syrup are the kind of combination that makes people close their eyes on the first bite.
02 -
- Do not skip the resting time for the marinade because those ten minutes make a real difference in how deeply the flavor penetrates the chicken.
- Keep an eye on the bacon in the oven since it goes from perfectly crisp to burnt in what feels like thirty seconds.
03 -
- Press down gently on the chicken with your spatula while searing to get better contact with the pan and more even browning.
- Warm the maple syrup for ten seconds in the microwave before whisking the marinade so it blends more easily with the mustard and soy sauce.