Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches

The first time I bit into a Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich, I was instantly transported to the streets of Nashville. The fierce heat from the spices danced on my palate, and the crispy texture of the chicken created a blissful crunch that I could not forget. I remember when I decided to recreate this iconic sandwich at home; it was a challenge I eagerly accepted. This dish has become a staple in my kitchen, signaling the start of gatherings with friends and family. Every time I prepare a Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich, I feel that excitement building as the aroma fills my home, making everyone’s mouth water.

Ingredients to Make Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches

When it comes to the ingredients for a Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich, each one has a purpose, contributing to the overall flavor and texture of the dish. The core ingredients are primarily chicken and spices, which work harmoniously to create that signature heat and crunch. The addition of coleslaw, mayonnaise, and pickles enhances the sandwich, adding freshness and a creamy contrast to the spicy chicken.

• 2 medium chicken breasts: The main star of our sandwich, freshly prepared chicken breasts provide tenderness and juiciness.
• ½ cup buttermilk: This ingredient is crucial for marinating the chicken, ensuring it stays moist and flavorful.
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce: Adds a zing of heat to the marinade, enhancing the flavor profile.
• ½ cup all-purpose flour: Used for dredging the chicken, it creates a crispy outer coating when fried.
• ½ cup cornstarch: This can also be substituted with more flour, but cornstarch helps achieve that extra crunch.
• 1 teaspoon EACH cayenne, garlic powder, salt, black pepper: These spices bring depth of flavor and heat to the chicken.
• ½ cup frying oil, or melted butter: Necessary for frying the chicken to achieve that golden, crispy texture.
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar: Balances the spices, adding a hint of sweetness to the hot sauce.
• 1 tablespoon cayenne powder: Intensifies the heat in the Nashville hot sauce, making it signature.
• ½ teaspoon EACH chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder: Additional flavor dimensions that round out the spice blend.
• 4 burger buns: The perfect vessel for our fried chicken, these are buttered and toasted for extra richness.
• Coleslaw: Adds crunch and freshness, complementing the heat of the chicken.
• Mayonnaise: A creamy component that balances the heat and adds flavor.
• Pickles: Their tanginess provides a refreshing contrast against the spicy chicken.

Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches Instructions

Making a Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich is a straightforward process that yields delicious results. Follow my steps closely to achieve that perfect crispy chicken and flavorful hot sauce. You’ll love how simple it is to create this heavyweight sandwich that’s bound to impress anyone who takes a bite.

1. Prep the Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts in half horizontally to create four thin cutlets. This ensures even cooking. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper to enhance the flavor. In a small shallow bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and hot sauce until combined. In another bowl, mix the flour, cornstarch, and spices to create your dredging station.
2. Bread the Chicken: Take each piece of seasoned chicken and dredge it in the flour mixture, shaking off the excess. Next, dip the chicken into the buttermilk mixture, then back into the flour mixture, pressing firmly to ensure a thick coating. This double dredging is key to achieving that signature crunch.
3. Fry the Chicken: In a large heavy-duty pan, heat about 2 inches of frying oil until it reaches 350ºF. Carefully add the chicken cutlets one by one, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Fry each piece for about 3 minutes per side or until golden brown and crunchy, ensuring the internal temperature reaches 165ºF. Once done, remove the chicken from the oil and place it on a cooling rack to drain excess oil.
4. Make the Nashville Hot Sauce: After all the chicken is fried, take ½ cup of the hot oil from the frying pan and pour it into a bowl. Add the brown sugar and remaining spices, whisking to combine into a paste. This sauce is what gives the chicken its signature Nashville flavor. Make sure to baste the fried chicken with this sauce while it’s still hot for full flavor absorption.
5. Assemble the Sandwiches: Start with a toasted bun and spread about 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise on the bottom half. Place a piece of the hot, crispy chicken on top, followed by a generous handful of coleslaw for crunch. Add slices of pickles for tanginess. Top with the other half of the bun and serve immediately for the best experience.

Tips for Success

To make sure your Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich turns out perfectly every time, follow these handy tips:

• Storage: If you have leftovers, store the fried chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in an oven or air fryer to retain the crisp texture.
• Freezing: You can freeze the cooked chicken for up to a month. Just ensure it’s fully cooled before wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap.
• Pairing: Serve your sandwich with traditional sides like fries or potato salad for a complete meal experience.
• Customization: Feel free to experiment with different toppings like jalapeños, avocado, or hot honey for a unique twist.
• Don’t Rush: Allow the chicken to cool on a rack after frying. This helps maintain its crunchiness.
• Flavor Boost: Marinate the chicken longer if you want an even more intense flavor. Overnight is always better!

Accompaniments for Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches

When serving your Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich, consider these delicious accompaniments:

• Fries: Crispy fries are a classic side that pairs well with the spicy chicken.
• Potato Salad: A creamy potato salad can provide a refreshing contrast to the heat of the sandwich.
• Coleslaw: Serve extra coleslaw on the side for those who love the crunch and creaminess.
• Pickles: Additional pickle slices can enhance the sandwich and add extra tang.
• Sweet Tea: A refreshing glass of sweet tea is the perfect drink to balance out the spice.
• Casual Gatherings: This sandwich is perfect for backyard barbecues, casual dinners, or game day parties.

FAQ

Conclusion

The Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich is truly a standout dish that brings the heat and crunch together in a satisfying way. It’s a recipe that not only tantalizes your taste buds but also creates memories around the table. I encourage you to try making this sandwich at home; trust me, you won’t be disappointed. Share it with loved ones, and enjoy the joy it brings!

Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches

Craving a spicy crunch? The Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich is the ultimate comfort food that combines crispy, spicy chicken in a toasted bun, topped with creamy coleslaw and pickles. This easy weeknight dinner is perfect for gatherings and sure to satisfy your hunger. Make it tonight and enjoy every flavorful bite!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Servings 4 servings

Calories 550 kcal

Equipment

• Skillet
• Whisk
• Frying Pan
• Mixing Bowl
• Chef's Knife

Ingredients

  

• 2 medium Chicken breasts Sliced in half horizontally
• ½ cup Buttermilk For marinating
• 1 tablespoon Hot sauce For marinating
• ½ cup All-purpose flour For dredging
• ½ cup Cornstarch Can substitute with more flour
• 1 teaspoon Cayenne For seasoning
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder For seasoning
• 1 teaspoon Salt For seasoning
• 1 teaspoon Black pepper For seasoning
• ½ cup Frying oil For frying
• 1 tablespoon Brown sugar For the sauce
• 1 tablespoon Cayenne powder For the sauce
• ½ teaspoon Chili powder For seasoning
• ½ teaspoon Smoked paprika For seasoning
• 4 count Burger buns Buttered and toasted
• 1 cup Coleslaw For topping
• 1 tablespoon Mayonnaise For spreading
• 1 cup Pickles For topping

Instructions

 

• Prep the Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts in half horizontally to create four thin cutlets. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper to enhance the flavor. In a small shallow bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and hot sauce until combined. In another bowl, mix the flour, cornstarch, and spices to create your dredging station.
• Bread the Chicken: Take each piece of seasoned chicken and dredge it in the flour mixture, shaking off the excess. Next, dip the chicken into the buttermilk mixture, then back into the flour mixture, pressing firmly to ensure a thick coating. This double dredging is key to achieving that signature crunch.
• Fry the Chicken: In a large heavy-duty pan, heat about 2 inches of frying oil until it reaches 350ºF. Carefully add the chicken cutlets one by one, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Fry each piece for about 3 minutes per side or until golden brown and crunchy, ensuring the internal temperature reaches 165ºF. Once done, remove the chicken from the oil and place it on a cooling rack to drain excess oil.
• Make the Nashville Hot Sauce: After all the chicken is fried, take ½ cup of the hot oil from the frying pan and pour it into a bowl. Add the brown sugar and remaining spices, whisking to combine into a paste. This sauce is what gives the chicken its signature Nashville flavor. Make sure to baste the fried chicken with this sauce while it’s still hot for full flavor absorption.
• Assemble the Sandwiches: Start with a toasted bun and spread about 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise on the bottom half. Place a piece of the hot, crispy chicken on top, followed by a generous handful of coleslaw for crunch. Add slices of pickles for tanginess. Top with the other half of the bun and serve immediately for the best experience.

Notes

• Tip 1: If you have leftovers, store the fried chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in an oven or air fryer to retain the crisp texture.
• Tip 2: You can freeze the cooked chicken for up to a month. Just ensure it’s fully cooled before wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap.
• Tip 3: Serve your sandwich with traditional sides like fries or potato salad for a complete meal experience.
• Tip 4: Feel free to experiment with different toppings like jalapeños, avocado, or hot honey for a unique twist.
• Tip 5: Allow the chicken to cool on a rack after frying. This helps maintain its crunchiness.
• Tip 6: Marinate the chicken longer if you want an even more intense flavor. Overnight is always better!

Keyword crispy fried chicken, Nashville Hot Chicken, Southern Comfort Food, Spicy Chicken Sandwich

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Meet Eva Sterling

I have a restless palate and I love that our blog covers such a wide range of food. I am always excited to cook something we haven’t tried before. I jump into every cooking session with enthusiasm, ready to chop, sauté, bake, or grill. I love the collaborative energy of our kitchen we all learn from each other, and that makes every dish we publish better.