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Maple Chicken Bacon Sliders — Sweet, Smoky & Cozy

Maple Chicken slider on a toasted bun with glossy maple glaze, melted cheese, and Bacon, styled for Slider Recipes.
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Sweet maple, smoky bacon, and juicy chicken come together in these handheld sliders — perfect for game night or an easy family dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 2–3 inch pieces
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp dried thyme
  • ½ tsp kosher salt (or to taste)
  • ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ cup pure maple syrup
  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • pinch (about ¼ tsp) red pepper flakes — optional for heat
  • 1 lb thick-cut bacon, cooked until crisp and chopped into slider-sized pieces
  • 12 small slider buns
  • 4 oz Brie, thinly sliced (optional)
  • Handful arugula or baby spinach (optional)

Instructions

Prep the chicken

  1. Cut the chicken breasts into slider-sized pieces (roughly 2–3” squares).

  2. Whisk together the olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl.

  3. Add the chicken and toss to coat evenly. Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes; overnight marinating will deepen the flavor.

Cook the chicken

  1. Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat and add a splash of oil if the pan is dry.

  2. Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer (work in batches if necessary). Sear about 4–5 minutes per side, until nicely caramelized and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

  3. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and set aside.

Make the maple-bacon glaze

  1. In a small saucepan combine the maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, Dijon, Worcestershire, and red pepper flakes (if using).

  2. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat and cook 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat and keep warm.

Crisp the bacon

  1. Cook the bacon until it’s crisp (pan-fry, bake on a rack, or air-fry). Drain on paper towels, then chop or crumble into pieces sized for sliders. Reserve a little bacon fat for cooking the chicken if you’d like extra flavor.

Assemble the sliders

 

  1. If desired, toast the slider buns lightly.

  2. Spread a thin layer of the warm maple-bacon glaze on the bottom half of each bun.

  3. Place a piece of chicken on top, brush with more glaze, add a slice of Brie (if using), then sprinkle with chopped bacon.

  4. Top with a few arugula leaves or baby spinach for freshness, then cap with the top bun. Repeat until all sliders are assembled. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Notes & tips
    • Marinate longer for more flavor. Overnight in the fridge makes the chicken more deeply seasoned.
    • Use a thermometer. Cook chicken to 165°F (74°C) for safe, juicy results.
    • Bake bacon for easy cleanup. Lay strips on a foil-lined sheet and roast at 400°F until crisp.
    • Make it spicy. Add more red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the glaze.
    • Cheese options. Swap Brie for cheddar or pepper jack to change the character of the sliders.
  • Storage
    • Keep leftover chicken and bacon stored separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or oven and assemble fresh. The glaze will keep in the fridge for about a week — warm it slightly before using.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://irmacooks.com/maple-chicken-bacon-sliders-sweet-smoky-cozy/