Jimmy’s Bang Bang Chicken Sliders

Name: Jimmy's Bang Bang Chicken Sliders
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 1 dozen
Ingredients: 3 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs; 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided; 1/2 cup ketchup; 1/2 cup Sriracha chili sauce; 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons honey, divided; 1/2 cup water; 3 tablespoons lime juice; 2 teaspoons grated lime zest; 2 teaspoons minced garlic; 1 teaspoon ground ginger; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 12 mini pretzel buns, split; 12 slices part-skim mozzarella cheese, halved; 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; Coarse salt, optional; 2 green onions, chopped; SRIRACHA-LIME DIPPING SAUCE:; 1 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise; 2 tablespoons Sriracha chili sauce; 2 tablespoons lime juice; 2 teaspoons grated lime zest

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 45 min. Bake: 10 min. YIELD: 1 dozen

I simmer chicken thighs in a spicy-sweet sauce, shred them and then pile 'em high on pretzel buns to create an incredibly addictive party food. —James Schend, Dairy Freed

Ingredients

3 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 cup Sriracha chili sauce
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons honey, divided
1/2 cup water
3 tablespoons lime juice
2 teaspoons grated lime zest
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon pepper
12 mini pretzel buns, split
12 slices part-skim mozzarella cheese, halved
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Coarse salt, optional
2 green onions, chopped
SRIRACHA-LIME DIPPING SAUCE:
1 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
2 tablespoons Sriracha chili sauce
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 teaspoons grated lime zest

Directions

1. In a Dutch oven over medium heat, brown chicken in 1 Tbsp. olive oil for 5 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, stir together ketchup, chili sauce, 1/2 cup honey, water, lime juice and zest, garlic, ginger and pepper. Pour over browned chicken and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until chicken is tender, 25-30 minutes. Remove chicken and bring sauce back to a simmer; cook until thick, about 5 minutes. Shred chicken with 2 forks; toss with reduced sauce.
3. Preheat oven to 375°. Place bottom buns in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Place half a slice of cheese on each of the buns; spoon chicken mixture on top of cheese. Top with remaining cheese; replace bun tops. Stir together the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, remaining 2 tablespoons honey and the red pepper flakes. Brush over bun tops. Sprinkle with the coarse salt if desired.
4. Bake until tops are golden and cheese has melted, 10-15 minutes. Garnish with green onions.
5. For sauce, stir together all ingredients. Serve alongside sliders.

Nutrition Facts

1 slider: 516 calories, 26g fat (7g saturated fat), 100mg cholesterol, 892mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 1g fiber), 31g protein.