Spicy Shredded Stirge Sliders

Ingredients

• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
• ¾ cup hot sauce (such as Frank's RedHot)
• 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
• ½ teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• Cayenne pepper (optional)
• 3 cups shredded skinned cooked chicken (about a scant 1 pound), at room temperature
• 8 3- to 4-inch slider or finger buns
• ¾ cup crumbled mild blue cheese (such as Cashel Blue cheese or Gorgonzola dolce), at room temperature
• 2 medium scallions (white and green parts), thinly sliced

Instructions

1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, warm the butter and hot sauce, stirring constantly to melt the butter and combine. Add the brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and black pepper and bring to a simmer, stirring to combine, about 6 minutes. Adjust the heat to medium-low and simmer to blend flavors, about 2 minutes. Add the cayenne to taste (if using).
2. Add the chicken and heat to warm it slightly, stirring to coat it with the sauce, about 3 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, arrange the bottom of the buns on a work surface. Top each with about cup of the chicken mixture, about 1 ½ tablespoons blue cheese crumbles, and a portion of the scallions. Place a bun top on each and serve immediately.