BBQ Chicken Sliders

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #LegendaryTailgate #CollectiveBias

I have a confession.

For many, many years I really wasn’t into traditional barbecue type foods. I loved the sides, but eating meats slathered in barbecue sauce just really wasn’t my idea of tasty foods. I’d dined at quite a few places and tried to like it, but to me the meat was always dry and it was like they were covering that up with barbecue sauce. It was not ideal for me at all.

I honestly never really liked barbecue chicken until I met my husband. When we first moved in together we got this little upstairs apartment. We loved this apartment though, because it had this huge covered balcony with screens on it. We’d hang out on that balcony every weekend and we had the tiniest little grill that he would barbecue on every sunday. It was about one or two feet off the ground and it was this little round thing. Now that I think about it, it would be perfect to tailgate with, but this is what we were working with. He’d make boneless chicken breast on this grill, marinade it, season it up,  then grill it. Then he’d patiently brush it with his favorite barbecue sauce.

Oh my goodness, it was so good!

The meat was so tender, so juicy. So flavorful! We did this every Sunday and watch whatever game was on, then that evening we’d enjoy our favorite Sunday night shows. It was our favorite way to start the week. I don’t even know if he’s aware that he’s what made me like barbecue chicken.

Now that we’ve grown together, married, moved to a bigger house with a backyard and a nice sized grill, he’s often working his magic out there. But we often reminisce about those old times when we’d huddle around that tiny little grill and create magic. Today I’m showing you some of his secrets to creating a moist and flavorful chicken, this time using thigh meat. This meat is amazing on it’s own, cut up in a sandwich, added to a salad, or even just eaten as is served with some rice and vegetables. However, I’m taking it a step further and creating some delicious BBQ Chicken Sliders that are perfect for game day, you can even make them while you tailgate (just skip the step about baking in the oven – it’s really just to melt the cheese).

I like to use Foster Farms Fresh & Natural Chicken Thigh Meat when I’m making shredded chicken, the thigh meat is a little more tender making it easy to shred for sliders. I love using Foster Farms Fresh & Natural because it’s raised locally right here in California and it’s always fresh, 100% natural, American Humane certified and with no added hormones or steroids.

We also like to use the Stubb’s Chicken Marinade that’s flavored with citrus and onion and Stubb’s Original Bar-B-Q Sauce. Not only are these super flavorful, but they are free of high fructose corn syrup and are Certified Gluten Free. Stubb’s does not use artificial preservatives, colors, sweeteners, flavors or MSG. There’s no fancy ingredients, just genuinely good products made with Stubb’s secret ingredients, “Love and Happiness”.

These sliders were amazing! The creamy mayonnaise with a hint of spice paired with the cheese and the chicken were the perfect pairings. The pop of color from the cabbage with that added bit of crisp was perfection. I could eat these for dinner, forget an appetizer! They were even good reheated! Serve with some fun curly fries and baked beans for game day fun!

BBQ Chicken Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs Foster Farms Fresh & Natural Chicken Thigh Meat
• 1 tablespoon lemon pepper
• 1 tablespoon creole seasoning
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 bottle Stubb’s Chicken Marinade
• 1/2 cup Stubb’s Original Bar-B-Q Sauce

BBQ Chicken Sliders Ingredients:

• BBQ Chicken (ingredients above), shredded
• 1/2 small yellow onion, chopped
• 2 pickled jalapenos, chopped
• 3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1/4 cup Stubb’s Original Bar-B-Q Sauce
• 1 package sweet party rolls
• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons spicy brown mustard
• 8 oz monterey jack cheese, sliced
• 1/2 cup green cabbage, cut into thin shreds
• 1/2 cup purple cabbage, cut into thin shreds
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 tablespoon garlic salt

Directions:

Begin by seasoning each side of the chicken with lemon pepper and Creole seasoning. Place in a dish large enough to hold the chicken with marinade.

Add soy sauce.

Then add the marinade. Cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours up to 24 hours.

Once you’re ready to grill, bring heat to around 350 degrees on the grill, and place the marinaded chicken over indirect heat on the grill, discarding the marinade.

Grill for about 5-8 minutes each side, then brush with the 1/2 cup of Stubb’s Original Bar-B-Q Sauce.

Grill for another 2-3 minutes each side to set the sauce into the chicken.

Remove from heat and let cool. Chicken would be delicious like this, cut up into a chicken salad or served with rice.

Place chicken in a large bowl and shred using two forks.

Add the onions, jalapenos and cilantro, then mix in. Add the 1/4 cup Stubb’s Original Bar-B-Q Sauce, stirring to combine it all.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut party rolls in half and place the bottom half on a baking sheet. Mix mayonnaise with spicy brown mustard and spread a layer on the bread.

Carefully spoon BBQ chicken on top.

Then top with the slice of monterey jack cheese.

Mix the cabbage with the vinegars and salt and pepper. Spoon the cabbage mixture on top of the cheese.

Melt the butter, then mix the garlic salt into the butter. Add the tops on the rolls, then brush with the seasoned melted butter. Place in the preheated oven and let cook for 10 minutes.

Cheese will be melted and tops will be browned and toasted.

Add an appetizer stick to the sliders to prevent tops from slipping, then serve.

Enjoy!

What’s your favorite BBQ food?

Pick up some of your favorite ingredients at your local grocery store, and as an added bonus, you can find an Instant Redeemable Coupon (expires 12/31/15) in store for the chicken and BBQ sauce. I found everything I needed at my local FoodMaxx, there was plenty of chicken in the meat department and I found the sauces in the condiments aisle. Happy grilling!