Motown Red Jalapeño Tailgate Chicken Sliders
These Motown Red Jalapeño Tailgate Chicken Sliders bring serious Detroit flavor to game day. Juicy shredded chicken is coated in a sweet, smoky, tangy sauce made with Heat Street Detroit Motown Red Jalapeño Hot Sauce, then piled high on toasted slider buns with creamy, crunchy slaw, pickled jalapeños, red onion, and green onions.
Sweet, spicy, messy, and made for sharing, these sliders are an easy crowd-pleaser for football parties, tailgates, backyard gatherings, or game-day dinners. Make a batch, set out the toppings, and let everyone build their own!
Time | Duration |
Prep Time | 20 minutes |
Cook Time | 25 - 30 minutes |
Total Time | 50 minutes |
Difficulty Level | Easy–Intermediate🌶️🌶️ |
Serves | 8 - 10 |
Ingredients
Chicken
2½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
1 tbsp olive oil
1½ tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp kosher salt
½ tsp black pepper
Motown Red Jalapeño Tailgate Sauce
¼ cup brown sugar
2 tbsp honey
2 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp melted butter
½ tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp garlic powder
Slaw
3 cups shredded cabbage
½ cup shredded carrots
¼ cup thinly sliced red onion
⅓ cup mayonnaise
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp honey
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
For Serving
16–20 slider buns•
Pickled jalapeños
Sliced red onion
Chopped green onions
Extra Motown Red Jalapeño Hot Sauce
Preparation
1. Season the Chicken
Pat the chicken dry. Combine smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, salt, and black pepper.
Rub the chicken with olive oil, then coat thoroughly with the seasoning mixture.
Let the chicken sit for 15–20 minutes while you prepare the sauce.
2. Make the Motown Sauce
In a saucepan over medium-low heat, combine:
Brown sugar
Honey
Ketchup
Apple cider vinegar
Worcestershire sauce
Melted butter
Smoked paprika
Garlic powder
Whisk together and simmer gently for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Do not boil aggressively. You want the sauce thick, glossy, and slightly sticky.
3. Cook the Chicken
Heat a large skillet or grill over medium-high heat.
Sear the chicken for 3–4 minutes per side until nicely browned.
Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook until the chicken reaches 165°F internally, about 15–20 minutes, depending on thickness.
Transfer to a cutting board and rest for 5 minutes.
4. Shred & Sauce
Shred the chicken using two forks.
Return the chicken to the skillet and pour in about ¾ of the Motown sauce.
Toss thoroughly and cook for another 2–3 minutes so the sauce coats every piece of chicken.
Reserve the remaining sauce for drizzling.
5. Make the Tailgate Slaw
Combine cabbage, carrots, and red onion.
In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper.
Pour over the vegetables and toss until evenly coated.
Refrigerate until ready to serve.
6. Toast the Sliders
Slice the slider buns in half and lightly brush the cut sides with melted butter.
Toast them on a grill, griddle, or skillet for 1–2 minutes, cut-side down, until golden brown.
7. Build the Sliders
Pile the Motown Red Jalapeño chicken onto the toasted buns.
Top with crunchy slaw, pickled jalapeños, and sliced red onion.
Drizzle with additional Motown Red Jalapeño sauce.
Finish with chopped green onions.
🏈 Tailgate Serving Tip
For a true game-day setup, keep the chicken hot in a slow cooker or covered foil pan and serve the slaw,
jalapeños, buns, and extra sauce on the side. That way guests can build their own sliders throughout the
game.
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