Pesto Chicken Parmesan Sliders (Print Version)

Mini brioche buns loaded with pesto chicken, marinara, and gooey cheese for easy party entertaining.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
02 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
03 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Pesto

04 - 1/3 cup basil pesto

→ Sliders

05 - 12 mini brioche slider buns
06 - 1 cup marinara sauce
07 - 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
08 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
09 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
10 - 1 clove garlic, minced
11 - 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a mixing bowl, combine shredded chicken with salt, pepper, and basil pesto until evenly coated.
03 - Slice brioche slider buns horizontally in half. Arrange bottom halves on the prepared baking sheet.
04 - Spoon a thin layer of marinara sauce onto each bun base. Top with pesto chicken, then sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
05 - Place the top halves of the buns over the filling.
06 - Mix melted butter with minced garlic, then brush over the tops of all sliders using a pastry brush.
07 - Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bun tops are golden brown.
08 - Remove from oven and sprinkle with fresh basil. Serve warm.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • They disappear in minutes because they're small enough to eat standing up but substantial enough to actually satisfy you.
  • Everything comes together in less than an hour, which means you can serve something restaurant-quality without spending your whole evening in the kitchen.
  • The pesto-to-cheese ratio creates this umami moment that feels fancy but tastes completely approachable.
02 -
  • Don't pile on the marinara sauce thinking more equals better—it makes the brioche soggy and turns elegant sliders into a messy situation that falls apart when you bite into them.
  • Shredding your own mozzarella instead of using pre-shredded makes a visible difference in how smoothly everything melts, creating that luxurious texture rather than clumpy pockets.
03 -
  • Use a pastry brush to apply the garlic butter evenly so every slider gets that golden-brown top and no buns stay pale or unappetizing.
  • If you're making these for a crowd, assemble them on two baking sheets so they bake evenly without crowding, which allows the heat to circulate properly and ensures consistent melting.
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