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Crispy Firecracker Chicken Sliders

crispy firecracker chicken sliders - featured image
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These sliders feature crispy fried chicken coated in a spicy, sweet glaze, sandwiched between soft buns. Perfect for quick parties or casual gatherings, they deliver a punch of flavor with minimal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb / 450g), cut into slider-sized pieces
  • 1 cup buttermilk (or whole milk with 1 tbsp lemon juice, let sit 5 mins)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Vegetable oil, for frying (canola or peanut oil preferred)
  • ¼ cup hot sauce (e.g., Frank’s RedHot)
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp sriracha (optional)
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 8 slider buns, lightly toasted
  • 4 leaves romaine or iceberg lettuce
  • Pickles or sliced jalapeños (optional)
  • Mayonnaise or ranch dressing (optional)

Instructions

  1. Marinate the chicken pieces in buttermilk with a pinch of salt and pepper for 15-20 minutes.
  2. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
  3. Heat vegetable oil in a frying pan to 350°F (175°C) to a depth of about 1 ½ inches.
  4. Remove chicken from buttermilk, letting excess drip off, then coat evenly in the flour mixture.
  5. Fry chicken pieces in batches for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F / 74°C).
  6. Drain fried chicken on a wire rack over a baking sheet to keep crispy.
  7. Prepare the spicy glaze by whisking hot sauce, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sriracha, and minced garlic in a small saucepan. Warm over low heat for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened, avoiding boiling.
  8. Toss fried chicken pieces gently in the glaze until well coated.
  9. Assemble sliders by placing a lettuce leaf on the bottom bun, adding a glazed chicken piece, topping with pickles or jalapeños if desired, adding a dollop of mayo or ranch if desired, and capping with the top bun.
  10. Serve immediately while warm and crispy.

Notes

Maintain oil temperature at 350°F for best crispiness. Use a wire rack to drain fried chicken to avoid sogginess. Toss chicken gently in glaze to preserve crust. For gluten-free, substitute flour with almond or rice flour and verify hot sauce is gluten-free. For dairy-free, use plant-based milk with lemon juice instead of buttermilk. Baking alternative: bake coated chicken at 425°F for 20 minutes on a wire rack, flipping halfway, then toss with glaze.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken sliders, spicy glaze, crispy chicken, party food, easy recipe, finger food, appetizer

Find it online: https://tessierecipes.com/crispy-firecracker-chicken-sliders-easy-spicy-glaze-recipe-for-parties/