Chicken Cordon Bleu Sliders

If you’re searching for the perfect party appetizer or an easy weeknight dinner that feels special, these Chicken Cordon Bleu Sliders are about to become your new favorite go-to recipe. Imagine all the flavors of classic chicken cordon bleu—crispy breaded chicken, savory ham, melty Swiss cheese, and that signature creamy Dijon tang—but in a fun, shareable slider form that’s incredibly simple to prepare.

These sliders take everything we love about the traditional French-inspired dish and transform it into a convenient, crowd-pleasing creation that’s perfect for game day gatherings, potlucks, family dinners, or even meal prep. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. You’re not dealing with rolling chicken breasts, securing them with toothpicks, or worrying about breading that falls off during cooking. Instead, you’re layering delicious ingredients between soft, slightly sweet Hawaiian rolls and letting the oven work its magic.

What makes these sliders truly irresistible is the combination of textures and flavors in every bite. The Hawaiian rolls provide a pillowy, slightly sweet base that perfectly complements the savory filling. The breaded chicken tenders add that essential crunch we all crave, while the Swiss cheese melts into gooey perfection, binding everything together. The deli ham brings its signature smoky, salty flavor, and the creamy Dijon mayo spread adds a sophisticated tang that elevates the entire dish.

The garlic butter brushed on top creates a golden, flavorful crust that makes these sliders absolutely addictive. That buttery, garlicky top layer adds an extra dimension of flavor and ensures the rolls stay moist while developing a beautiful color in the oven. It’s the kind of finishing touch that transforms a simple sandwich into something memorable.

One of the best aspects of this recipe is how customizable it is. You can easily adjust quantities to feed a crowd, swap ingredients based on your preferences, or prepare them ahead of time for stress-free entertaining. They’re also budget-friendly since you’re using accessible ingredients that you can find at any grocery store. The combination of convenience, flavor, and versatility makes these sliders a recipe you’ll return to again and again.

Ingredients

• 12 Hawaiian sweet rolls
• 1 package breaded chicken tenders, prepared according to package directions
• 8 slices Swiss cheese, divided
• 8 ounces sliced deli ham
• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt
• Chopped fresh parsley for garnish, optional

Instructions

Prepare Your Workspace

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. This moderate temperature ensures the cheese melts perfectly while the tops of the rolls get beautifully golden without burning. While the oven is heating, prepare your baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or giving it a light coating of nonstick cooking spray. The parchment paper method is particularly helpful because it makes cleanup effortless and prevents any cheese that bubbles out from sticking to the pan.

Prepare the Rolls

Take your Hawaiian sweet rolls and carefully slice them in half horizontally. The key here is to keep the rolls connected as one complete sheet rather than separating them into individual pieces. This makes assembly much easier and helps the sliders hold together during baking. Use a serrated bread knife and a gentle sawing motion to get a clean cut without compressing the soft rolls. Place the bottom half of the rolls onto your prepared baking sheet, keeping them as a connected unit.

Create the Dijon Mayo Spread

In a small mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise and Dijon mustard, stirring until they’re completely blended into a smooth, creamy spread. This sauce is crucial to the flavor profile of your sliders. The mayonnaise adds richness and helps the spread adhere to the bread, while the Dijon mustard brings that classic cordon bleu tanginess and a subtle heat that cuts through the richness of the cheese and ham. Using a spoon or offset spatula, spread this mixture evenly across the entire surface of the bottom half of the rolls, making sure to reach the edges so every bite has that delicious flavor.

Layer the Chicken

Arrange your prepared breaded chicken tenders on top of the mayo-mustard layer. Depending on the size of your chicken tenders, you may need to cut some pieces to ensure even coverage across all twelve rolls. The goal is to have chicken in every slider, so take a moment to distribute the pieces evenly. The crispy coating on the chicken tenders adds that essential textural contrast that makes these sliders so satisfying to eat.

Add the Cheese and Ham

Place four slices of Swiss cheese over the chicken layer, tearing pieces as needed to ensure complete coverage. Swiss cheese is traditional for cordon bleu because of its mild, nutty flavor and excellent melting properties, but you could substitute Gruyère for a more sophisticated taste or provolone for a slightly different flavor profile.

Next, layer the sliced deli ham over the cheese. Fold or bunch the ham slices slightly rather than laying them completely flat—this creates little pockets that add texture and prevent the filling from being too dense. The ham adds a smoky, salty element that pairs beautifully with the Swiss cheese and creates that classic cordon bleu flavor combination we’re aiming for.

Finish the layering process by topping the ham with the remaining four slices of Swiss cheese. This upper cheese layer is important because it will melt down into the ham and help bind all the layers together, creating a cohesive filling that won’t slide apart when you bite into your slider.

Complete the Assembly

Carefully place the top half of the rolls over your layered filling, aligning the edges as closely as possible. Press down very gently to help everything settle together. Don’t press too hard, though, or you’ll compress the soft rolls and squeeze out some of your filling.

Apply the Garlic Butter

In a small bowl, combine the melted butter with the garlic salt, stirring to distribute the seasoning evenly. Using a pastry brush or spoon, generously brush this garlic butter mixture over the entire top surface of the rolls. Make sure to get butter into all the nooks and crannies where the rolls connect. This buttery topping will create that golden, slightly crispy top that makes these sliders irresistible. The garlic salt adds savory depth and aromatics that will fill your kitchen with an amazing smell as the sliders bake.

Bake to Perfection

Place the baking sheet in your preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes. You’re looking for tops that are golden brown and slightly crispy, with cheese that’s completely melted and maybe even bubbling slightly around the edges. The rolls should be warmed through, and all the flavors should be melded together beautifully.

If you prefer extra-crispy tops, you can pop the sliders under the broiler for the last minute or two of cooking, but watch them carefully to prevent burning.

Serve and Enjoy

Remove the sliders from the oven and let them cool for just a minute or two—this brief rest makes them easier to cut and prevents anyone from burning their mouth on molten cheese. If you’d like, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top for a pop of color and fresh flavor that brightens the rich, savory sliders.

Using a sharp knife, cut between the rolls to separate them into individual sliders. Serve them warm while the cheese is still gooey and the butter is glossy on top. These sliders are perfect on their own, but they also pair wonderfully with a simple side salad, crispy fries, or vegetable sticks with ranch dressing.

Tips and Variations

These sliders are incredibly versatile. You can prepare them up to the baking step, cover tightly, and refrigerate for several hours or even overnight, then bake when you’re ready to serve. You might need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time if you’re starting from cold.

For different flavor profiles, try swapping the Swiss cheese for Gruyère, white cheddar, or even pepper jack if you want a little kick. You can also experiment with different types of ham—honey ham adds sweetness, while Black Forest ham provides a smokier flavor.

If you want to make these sliders even more special, consider adding thin slices of tomato or a few leaves of fresh spinach between the layers for extra freshness and nutrition.