Halloween is all about spooky fun, and that includes the food! These Halloween Chicken Parm Sliders are a playful twist on classic chicken parm sandwiches, designed to look like little monster burgers. They’re made with crispy breaded chicken, a slice of cheese, a drizzle of ketchup for a “bloody” effect, and topped with olive “eyeball” skewers that bring them to life.
Perfect for Halloween parties, potlucks, or even as a themed family dinner, these sliders are equal parts delicious and entertaining. They’re easy to assemble, kid-friendly, and guaranteed to get a laugh (and a second helping) from your guests.
Ingredients
- 12 slider buns or small dinner rolls
- 12 breaded chicken tenders (frozen or homemade)
- 12 slices sandwich cheese (cheddar, American, or provolone)
- 1 cup ketchup (for “blood”)
- 1/2 cup marinara or pizza sauce (optional, for extra flavor)
- 1 tbsp olive oil or melted butter (for brushing buns)
- 12 green olives, pitted
- 12 small mozzarella balls or cream cheese balls (for eyes)
- 12 black olive slices (for pupils)
- Toothpicks or skewers (for holding eyes)
Preparation Steps
Step 1: Cook the Chicken
- Bake or air fry breaded chicken tenders according to package directions, or prepare homemade breaded chicken until golden and crispy.
Step 2: Prepare the Buns
- Slice slider buns in half. Place bottoms on a parchment-lined baking sheet or serving tray.
Step 3: Assemble the Sliders
- Place one chicken tender on each bun bottom. Add a slice of cheese over the chicken. Drizzle ketchup generously over the top to look like “monster blood.”
Step 4: Top with Buns
- Place the top bun over the chicken and cheese, pressing lightly. Brush tops with olive oil or melted butter for shine.
Step 5: Make the Eyeball Skewers
- Stuff green olives with mozzarella balls or cream cheese. Press a slice of black olive on each to make a pupil. Skewer olives with toothpicks and stick two into each slider bun.
Step 6: Serve
- Arrange sliders on a tray and serve warm with extra ketchup or marinara sauce for dipping.
Variation
- Spicy Monsters: Swap ketchup for buffalo sauce or spicy sriracha for fiery eyes.
- Cheesy Version: Use mozzarella or provolone for a gooey, melty finish.
- Veggie Twist: Replace chicken with breaded eggplant slices for vegetarian sliders.
- Halloween Colors: Use orange cheddar for a bright Halloween look.
Cooking Notes
- Frozen chicken tenders make this recipe fast and easy.
- For a gooier version, bake sliders in the oven with cheese until melted.
- Assemble eyeball skewers ahead of time for quick party prep.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with fries, onion rings, or Halloween snacks like “witch finger breadsticks.”
- Pair with carrot and celery sticks for balance.
- Great as part of a Halloween buffet with dips and spooky treats.
Tips
- Keep sliders warm in the oven at 200°F until ready to serve.
- Use Hawaiian rolls for a slightly sweet flavor.
- Kids will love helping assemble the olive eyes—make it part of the fun!
Prep Time / Cooking Time / Total Time
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: ~35 minutes
Nutritional Info (per slider, approx. 12 servings)
- Calories: 295
- Protein: 18g
- Carbs: 23g
- Fat: 12g
- Sodium: 720mg
FAQs
Q1: Can I make Halloween Chicken Parm Sliders ahead of time?
- Yes, you can cook the chicken and prepare the olive “eyeballs” ahead. Assemble just before serving for freshness.
Q2: Can I freeze these sliders?
- It’s best not to freeze once assembled. Freeze chicken separately, then reheat and assemble fresh.
Q3: Can I use other sauces instead of ketchup?
- Yes—buffalo sauce, marinara, or even BBQ sauce make tasty (and spooky) alternatives.
Q4: Can I make these vegetarian?
- Yes, use breaded eggplant, zucchini rounds, or plant-based nuggets instead of chicken.
Q5: How do I stop buns from getting soggy?
- Lightly toast the buns before assembling, and don’t overload with sauce.
Conclusion
These Halloween Chicken Parm Sliders are a deliciously spooky way to celebrate Halloween. With crispy chicken, gooey cheese, ketchup “blood,” and olive eyeball toppers, they’re as festive as they are tasty. Perfect for parties, family dinners, or trick-or-treat night fuel, these sliders are guaranteed to be a hit with kids and adults alike. Serve them up and watch your guests smile—and maybe scream—before digging in!