Air Fryer Chicken Pesto Sliders are warm, melty, and packed with bold basil pesto flavor in every bite. Made with juicy chicken, gooey cheese, and toasted slider buns, they’re perfect for game day, parties, or an easy dinner win.
These Air Fryer Chicken Pesto Sliders are small in size but big on flavor!
Juicy chicken breasts are paired with vibrant basil pesto and gooey melted cheese, then sandwiched between soft, toasted slider buns.
The air fryer crisps the edges just enough while keeping the inside tender, making them perfect for quick dinners, casual parties, or game day snacking.
They’re easy to assemble, cook in minutes, and disappear just as fast, your guests will be asking for seconds!
Why You Will Love This Recipe!
- Quick and Easy: Ready in under 20 minutes for a fast, stress-free meal.
- Juicy Chicken: Air fryer locks in moisture for tender, flavorful bites.
- Cheesy Goodness: Melted cheese pairs perfectly with fresh basil pesto.
- Perfect Party Food: Small sliders are ideal for gatherings or game day.
- Customizable: Easily add veggies, extra cheese, or different sauces to suit your taste.
Ingredients Needed
- Dinner Rolls: Use store-bought slider rolls, or make your own with my air fryer dinner roll recipe.
- Butter: Use unsalted butter that has been melted.
- Garlic: Use minced garlic, fresh garlic is best for this recipe.
- Parsley: Use fresh parsley that has been diced.
- Pesto: Store-bought or homemade.
- Chicken: Use cooked chicken breast shredded or leftover rotisserie chicken.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Use freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
How To Make Air Fryer Chicken Pesto Sliders
Step One: Mix the melted butter, garlic, and parsley in a small bowl. Set aside.
Step Two: Unwrap the rolls. Then using a long knife and cutting board, slice through the middle of the rolls horizontally.
Step Three: Transfer the bottom half of the rolls to the bottom of the air fryer basket or place them onto the air fryer tray. Add 1/3 cup of basil pesto to the bottom half of the rolls and spread until it reaches the edges. Sprinkle the shredded rotisserie chicken over the pesto layer, then add the shredded mozzarella cheese over the chicken.
Step Four: Add the other 1/3 cup of basil pesto to the top half of the rolls and spread to the edges. Then place the top half of the rolls over the cheese layer.
Step Five: Cover the sliders with the melted butter mixture using a basting brush or a spoon. Place foil over the rolls and air fry for 3-5 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for 5 additional minutes to brown the tops of the rolls. Serve warm and enjoy!
Air Fryer Chicken Pesto Sliders Recipe Tips
- Choose the Right Chicken: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken tenders for sliders. They cook quickly and evenly in the air fryer.
- Season the Chicken: Season the chicken with your preferred spices, such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, or any other seasoning blend you like.
- Lightly Oil the Basket: Lightly spray or brush the air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking and promote crispiness. Or add a piece of foil or parchment paper to the bottom of the air fryer basket.
- Cook in Batches: Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken sliders in batches. Avoid overcrowding the basket, as it can lead to uneven cooking.
- Serve Immediately: Chicken sliders are best enjoyed immediately while they are still warm and crispy.
Air Fryer Chicken Pesto Sliders Recipe Faqs
Can I use pre-cooked chicken for these sliders? Yes! Using shredded rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken works perfectly and reduces prep time.
What type of bread is best for sliders? Soft slider buns or mini brioche buns work best—they toast nicely in the air fryer without drying out.
Can I make these ahead of time? You can prep the ingredients in advance, but it’s best to assemble and air fry right before serving for maximum freshness.
Can I freeze these sliders? Fully assembled sliders don’t freeze well due to the bread and cheese, but you can freeze the cooked chicken separately and assemble later.
What is a good dipping sauce for these sliders? Extra pesto, garlic aioli, or marinara sauce all complement the flavors beautifully.
Can I add vegetables to the sliders? Absolutely! Sliced tomatoes, roasted peppers, or fresh spinach work well without overpowering the flavors.
More Air Fryer Recipes
- AIR FRYER BOSTON BROWN BREAD
- AIR FRYER HOMEMADE PIZZA ROLLS
- EASY AIR FRYER COPYCAT DUNKIN DONUTS MAPLE BACON CROISSANTS
- AIR FRYER MAPLE BACON DIP
- AIR FRYER PERUVIAN LOMO SALTADO
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Air Fryer Chicken Pesto Sliders
Description
Ingredients
- 12 dinner rolls, sliders or regular
- 6 tablespoons butter, unsalted, melted
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons parsley, diced
- 2/3 cup pesto, divided
- 2 cups chicken, cooked and shredded
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Mix the melted butter, garlic, and parsley in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Unwrap the rolls. Then using a long knife and cutting board, slice through the middle of the rolls horizontally.
- Transfer the bottom half of the rolls to the bottom of the air fryer basket or place them onto the air fryer tray. Add 1/3 cup of basil pesto to the bottom half of the rolls and spread until it reaches the edges. Sprinkle the shredded rotisserie chicken over the pesto layer, then add the shredded mozzarella cheese over the chicken.
- Add the other 1/3 cup of basil pesto to the top half of the rolls and spread to the edges. Then place the top half of the rolls over the cheese layer.
- Cover the sliders with the melted butter mixture using a basting brush or a spoon. Place foil over the rolls and air fry for 3-5 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for 5 additional minutes to brown the tops of the rolls. Serve warm and enjoy
Equipment
- Parchment Paper, optional
- Aluminum Foil, optional
Nutrition
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