There’s so much to love about Nashville, but nothing compares to its local specialty – Nashville Hot Chicken. The mom-and-pop place I found was so good I had to stand in line for 30 minutes. But it was totally worth it. However, here I am in LA with no plans to visit Nashville soon. But, hey, we can do this at home! This is a flavor-explosion-kind-of-chicken the Nashville way. Most of the ingredients are already in your pantry.
Recipe Ingredients
How to Make Nashville Hot Chicken
Prep Chicken
Season – Place chicken in a large bowl or large ziplock bag. Then, season with salt, crushed garlic, hot sauce, and Creole seasoning. Marinate – Pour the buttermilk over the chicken, stir well to completely coat it, cover the bowl, and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight. (Photo 1-2) Make Breading – Whisk the flour, cornstarch, bread crumbs, baking powder, salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, herbs, and white pepper in a large bowl. (Photo 3) Dredge – Take the marinated chicken out of the buttermilk, giving the excess a few seconds to drain back into the bowl. Then, dredge in the flour coating, shaking off the excess flour. You could use a ziplock bag for this process, too. (Photo 4) Rest – Let the breaded chicken rest for 10-15 minutes while heating the oil. That will also help the coating stay on better.
Nashville Hot Sauce
Mix – Whisk the cayenne pepper, brown sugar, paprika, chili powder, salt, and hot sauce in a small bowl. Then, drizzle in the melted butter and oil while carefully mixing until thoroughly combined. (Photo 5-6)
Frying Method
Heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat in a deep fryer or cast iron skillet to 375℉ (190℃). Remember that the temperature will drop as you add the chicken. Add Chicken – Carefully and slowly place the chicken in the hot oil with tongs. Remember to work in batches and not overcrowd your skillet. (Photos 7-8) Fry the chicken until golden, turning every 10-15 minutes – depending on the size of the pieces. You will know when the chicken is done when it is no longer pink inside, its juices run clear, and the internal temperature reaches 165℉ (75℃). You may test by poking the chicken with a fork. Drain the fried chicken on paper towels, then transfer it to a wire rack. (Photo 9) Repeat with the remaining chicken pieces; let it cool for 10 minutes. Sauce the Chicken – Brush the fried chicken with the desired amount of spicy sauce. Garnish with pickles and serve on a slice of white bread. (Photo 10)
Baking Method
Rest – After coating the chicken, arrange it in a single layer on a baking sheet and let it rest for 10-15 minutes. This will help the coating to stay on. Bake – Then place the baking pan in a 375℉ (190℃) oven and bake for 45-50 minutes or until the chicken is no longer pink and its juices run clear. You may do a test by piercing the chicken with a fork.
Recipe Variations
Tips and Tricks
Make-Ahead Instructions
Yes, you can prepare the chicken up to the point of frying. Store the pieces in a single layer in the refrigerator overnight. You can also flash freeze them, then store them in a gallon-sized freezer bag (squeezing all the air out you can). Then, pull out as many as you need for the meal, thaw overnight in the fridge, and bake or fry. The hot sauce lasts refrigerated for 2 weeks, or you can freeze it in serving-size portions for 5-6 months.
Serving and Storage Instructions
This spicy goodness is best hot and slathered with Nashville hot sauce. Serve it on a slice of white bread and top it with a pickle for an authentic experience. Allow leftover Nashville Hot Chicken to cool, then refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to four days. You can also freeze it the same way for 2-3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy a fast and easy snack or lunch. Reheat it in a 350℉ (180℃) oven until heated through and crispy. It will take a little longer if you bake it from the freezer than if you thaw it first.
What to Serve With Nashville Hot Chicken
For an authentic experience, a slice of homemade white bread and pickles are classic sides. For an even more Southern experience, add potato salad or macaroni salad and coleslaw.
More Crispy Fried Chicken Recipes to Try
Conclusion
Enjoy spicy, crispy, mind-blowing, and taste-bud singing goodness with Nashville Hot Chicken. How hot do you like your chicken? Please comment below where on a scale of 1-10 (10 being the hottest).🥵
Watch How to Make It
This blog post was originally published in May 2019 and has been updated with additional tips, new photos, and a video.
