When the worlds of East and West collide in the culinary realm, the results are nothing short of spectacular. The rich, profound flavors of traditional Indian cuisine meeting the spicy tang of Buffalo wings gives birth to an enticing fusion dish: Buffalo Tandoori Chicken Sliders. Garnished with caramelized masala onions, melted pepper jack cheese, and served alongside a smoky charred serrano sauce, this delectable delight is poised to steal the spotlight at your next gathering.
Why It’s Perfect for Game Day and Beyond
Whether you’re huddled around the TV on game day, gathered with friends for Thanksgiving, or setting up the ultimate tailgate, these Buffalo Tandoori Chicken Sliders are your go-to appetizer. They are bite-sized, making them perfect for easy eating during intense game moments. And with their fusion of flavors, they’re bound to cater to a wide range of palates, ensuring that everyone finds a new favorite in this dish.
On Thanksgiving, while traditional dishes hold their place, there’s always room for something new and exciting. These sliders, with their spicy kick and smoky undertones, provide a refreshing change from the usual turkey and stuffing. They are the conversation starters, the “you have to try this” dish, the culinary surprise that everyone will remember.
For tailgates, we’re always on the lookout for food that’s portable, delicious, and easy to share. And let’s face it, sliders are the epitome of tailgate food. But when you introduce the Buffalo Tandoori twist, you elevate the tailgate experience to an entirely new level.
How to make this ahead of time
Marinate the chicken the night before for best results.
You can also make the Serrano sauce ahead of time as well and store in an air tight container in the fridge until ready to use.
If you really want to take up a notch, cook the masala onions ahead of time as well and store in an air tight container in the fridge.
The day of, assemble everything and bake as directed, take the chicken and onions out of the fridge 30 mins before assembling so everything is at room temperature and heats up/bakes evenly in the oven.
Vegetarian & Vegan Substitution
To make these sliders vegetarian, substitute the chicken for shredded paneer or extra firm tofu.
I like to remove any excess water in the tofu and then proceed to marinate it and leave it over night. Crumble the tofu or break it down before adding it to the pan to cook.
If replacing the chicken with Paneer, simple cut the paneer into small bite pieces and marinate as instructed below. Throw it onto a hot skillet and let it cook for 4-6 mins or throw in the air fryer at 380F for 7 mins, flipping it half way through. Crumble the tofu up a little bit with your hands before adding the buffalo sauce, this will give you a better texture for the sliders.
Equipment + tools and everything I used for this recipe
1 tsp each: red chili powder, ground coriander, garam masala, salt + sugar
Buffalo Tandoori Sliders
1 pack – Kings Hawaiian Sweet rolls
1–2 large chicken breast (1lb)
3 tbsp tandoori seasoning
1/2 tbsp each – garlic and ginger paste
3 tbsp yogurt
1/4 cup buffalo sauce
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup ranch dressing
3 tsp ranch seasoning
10–12 slices of pepper jack cheese
Instructions
For the Masala Onions
In a skillet, heat up oil on medium heat and add the slices onions. Cook for 3-4 mins until onions are wilted and translucent. Add the spices and cook for additional 4 mins and set aside.
For Buffalo Tandoori Sliders
Marinate the chicken with yogurt, tandoori seasoning, ginger garlic paste. Marinate overnight for best results or for at least 1 hour.
Cook the chicken in a skillet until it’s fully cooked throughout. 3-5 mins on each side and cover with lid.
Once the chicken is cook and cooled, shred into a bowl and add the following ingredients: buffalo sauce, mayonnaise, ranch dressing and seasoning.
Assembly: Layer the bottle layer of the Hawaiian rolls with sliced pepper jack cheese, chicken and onions on top. Add the top layer of the rolls and brush on with garlic butter.
Cover with foil and bake in the oven at 350F for 15 mins. Garnish with cilantro and enjoy!
Just an East/West coast girl living the southern life. I love sharing all my tested and perfected recipes here, along with some travel guides and a little bit of my lifestyle
One reply on “Buffalo Tandoori Sliders with Caramelized Masala Onions”
This recipe is phenomenal! i made it this past weekend for a party and it was a hit! Everyone raved about the sliders.
★★★★★