📖 Instructions

1. First, let's get that chicken ready! Place 1.5 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts, if you prefer) in a slow cooker. Season with 1 teaspoon of salt, ½ teaspoon of black pepper, and ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder. If you don't have garlic powder, a clove or two of minced garlic will do the trick!
2. Now for the magic ingredient – the cherry-cola BBQ sauce! In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 (12-ounce) can of cherry cola, ½ cup of ketchup, ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar (trust me on this one!), 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon of brown sugar (packed), 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, and ½ teaspoon of onion powder. Make sure everything is well combined. No one wants a clump of paprika in their sauce!
3. Pour the cherry-cola BBQ sauce over the chicken in the slow cooker. Give it a little stir to make sure the chicken is fully coated. We want every piece to soak up that delicious flavor!
4. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. The chicken should be so tender that it practically falls apart with a gentle nudge. You'll know it's ready when you can easily shred it with two forks.
5. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the slow cooker and place it in a large bowl. Use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Don't discard the sauce just yet – we're going to use that!
6. Pour about ¾ of the sauce from the slow cooker over the shredded chicken. Stir well to coat the chicken evenly. If the sauce seems a little thin, you can simmer it in a saucepan on the stovetop for a few minutes to thicken it up. The remainder of the sauce can be used for serving
7. Time to assemble the sliders! Lightly toast 12 slider buns (Hawaiian rolls work great for this!). This step is optional, but it adds a nice touch and prevents the buns from getting soggy.
8. Spoon the cherry-cola BBQ chicken onto the bottom halves of the slider buns. Pile it high – we're not skimping on flavor here!
9. Top with your favorite slider toppings. Some suggestions: coleslaw (for a crunchy contrast), sliced pickles (for a tangy kick), or a dollop of mayonnaise (for extra richness). Get creative!
10. Place the top halves of the slider buns on top of the chicken and toppings. Serve immediately and watch them disappear! These sliders are best enjoyed warm, so don't let them sit out for too long.
11. Feeling fancy? Thread a pickle chip and a cherry tomato onto a toothpick and insert it into the top of each slider for a festive presentation. Trust me, presentation can make all the difference!