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Nashville Hot Chicken is the ultimate spicy fried chicken dish! This recipe includes a crispy, golden coating that holds up to the spicy, flavorful glaze. The crunchy texture combined with the bold spices makes it a must-try. Perfect for a party or family dinner, this chicken packs all the heat and flavor of Nashville’s best.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Fried Chicken:

2 cups buttermilk
⅓ cup hot sauce
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons cornstarch
3 tablespoons seasoned salt
1 tablespoon paprika
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons black pepper
½ teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
10 pieces of chicken (breasts, thighs, or tenders)
Vegetable oil for frying

For the Nashville Hot Mixture:

⅓ cup cayenne pepper
1 ½ tablespoons dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
White bread and sliced pickles (for serving)

Directions

Prepare the Buttermilk and Hot Sauce Mixture: In a medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and hot sauce. Set aside.
Make the Seasoned Flour Mixture: In a paper bag, add flour, cornstarch, seasoned salt, paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Shake to mix.
Bread the Chicken: Dip each piece of chicken into the seasoned flour, then into the buttermilk mixture, and then back into the seasoned flour. Place the breaded chicken on a baking sheet to rest for 15-20 minutes.
Fry the Chicken: Heat 2–2 ½ inches of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry four pieces at a time, turning until golden brown. Cover the skillet to steam the chicken’s interior, then remove the lid and continue frying until crispy.
Make the Nashville Hot Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together 1 cup of frying oil, cayenne pepper, brown sugar, chili powder, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
Coat the Chicken: Brush the hot sauce mixture over the fried chicken, ensuring a generous coating.
Serve: Place the hot chicken on white bread and top with sliced pickles. Serve immediately.

Nutrients

Each serving (1 piece of chicken) contains approximately:

Calories: 197 kcal
Carbohydrates: 37g
Protein: 6g
Fat: 4g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Sodium: 2364mg
Potassium: 324mg
Fiber: 4g
Sugar: 5g
Vitamin A: 4046 IU
Vitamin C: 12mg
Calcium: 83mg
Iron: 3mg

Enjoy this spicy and crispy Nashville Hot Chicken on its own or with classic sides like collard greens and mac & cheese!

The Bold Flavor Profile of Nashville Hot Chicken

Nashville Hot Chicken is known for its intense spice level, which comes from a generous amount of cayenne pepper in the hot sauce mixture. The flavor profile balances the heat with a bit of sweetness, thanks to the dark brown sugar that’s added to the spicy glaze. The smoked paprika adds a subtle smokiness that rounds out the complex spice mix, while garlic powder and onion powder deepen the flavor, making it rich and satisfying.

The chicken itself is a combination of crispy, golden brown coating and tender, juicy meat on the inside. The frying process creates a crunchy, textured crust that holds up well to the spicy glaze, ensuring every bite has the perfect balance of crunch and spice. The breading is seasoned with a mix of spices, including cayenne pepper, paprika, and seasoned salt, which give the chicken an extra layer of flavor, even before it gets coated in the hot sauce.

The Secret to Crispy Fried Chicken

One of the key elements of Nashville Hot Chicken is the perfectly crispy exterior, which is achieved through the double-dipping breading process. The chicken is first dipped in the seasoned flour mixture, then the buttermilk mixture, and back into the flour. This method ensures a thicker coating that becomes golden and crispy once fried. The cornstarch in the breading mix helps the coating to crisp up while keeping it light and crunchy, rather than too heavy.

Frying the chicken in vegetable oil at the right temperature is crucial to achieving that perfect crispy finish. The oil should be heated to about 350°F (175°C), allowing the chicken to cook through without becoming greasy. To make sure the chicken is perfectly cooked on the inside, the skillet is covered for a while to steam the chicken’s interior, ensuring it stays juicy and tender. After the chicken is fried, it continues to crisp up once uncovered, giving you that satisfying crunch in every bite.

The Nashville Hot Sauce: A Fiery Glaze

The Nashville Hot Sauce is where the real magic happens. This sauce, made with a mixture of frying oil, cayenne pepper, brown sugar, chili powder, garlic powder, and smoked paprika, is the heart of the dish. The combination of cayenne and chili powder provides the heat, while the brown sugar adds a touch of sweetness to balance the spice. Smoked paprika infuses a subtle smokiness into the sauce, making it even more complex and flavorful.

Once the chicken is fried to perfection, it’s coated in this hot sauce mixture, which soaks into the crispy breading, infusing the chicken with its fiery flavors. The hot sauce should be brushed generously over the fried chicken, ensuring every piece is drenched in that signature Nashville heat. The result is a chicken dish that’s spicy, sweet, smoky, and irresistibly flavorful.

Serving Suggestions: Perfect Pairings for Nashville Hot Chicken

Nashville Hot Chicken is often served with white bread and pickles, which help to temper the heat while providing a contrast in texture. The soft bread soaks up any excess sauce and provides a cushion for the spicy chicken, while the pickles add a refreshing crunch and tanginess that balances out the bold flavors. This classic combination not only complements the chicken but also enhances the overall experience.

For a well-rounded meal, you can serve Nashville Hot Chicken with classic Southern sides like mac and cheese, collard greens, or coleslaw. The creamy richness of mac and cheese and the earthiness of collard greens provide a satisfying contrast to the spiciness of the chicken. Coleslaw, with its cool, crunchy texture, offers a refreshing break between bites of the hot chicken.

If you want to kick up the heat even more, consider pairing Nashville Hot Chicken with spicy sides or sauces, such as jalapeño cornbread or a side of hot sauce for dipping. The bold flavors of the chicken pair well with just about anything that can stand up to its heat.

Nutritional Considerations

While Nashville Hot Chicken is undeniably flavorful, it is also a rich and indulgent dish. Each serving packs a bit of a punch in terms of calories, fat, and sodium, which is typical of fried chicken dishes. The hot sauce, however, adds minimal calories but a significant amount of spice, so the dish is primarily spicy and savory without too much added sugar or fat. The breading and frying contribute to the fat content, but they also create that satisfying crispy texture that makes Nashville Hot Chicken so irresistible.

This dish is high in protein, thanks to the chicken, and offers a good amount of potassium, calcium, and iron. However, with its high sodium content, it’s important to enjoy Nashville Hot Chicken in moderation, especially if you’re watching your salt intake. You can balance the richness of the chicken by serving it with lighter, vegetable-based sides, or by opting for leaner cuts of chicken like tenderloins or thighs.

Conclusion: A Spicy and Flavorful Must-Try Dish

Nashville Hot Chicken is the ultimate dish for anyone who loves bold flavors and spicy food. With its crispy, golden exterior, juicy interior, and fiery glaze, this Southern classic brings heat, flavor, and crunch in every bite. The balance of spice, sweetness, and smokiness makes it a standout dish that’s sure to impress your family and guests.

Whether you’re serving it at a casual dinner, a backyard party, or a family gathering, Nashville Hot Chicken is the perfect centerpiece for any occasion. The unique combination of spices and the crispy texture make it an unforgettable dish that will have everyone reaching for seconds. So, fire up the fryer and get ready to experience the heat and flavor of Nashville Hot Chicken!

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