Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich Recipe has taken culinary enthusiasts everywhere by storm with its hot and spicy flavors. A Southern classic.
This crispy and spicy treat hails from Nashville, Tennessee. The Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich will be love at first bite for anyone who enjoys a spicy, flavorful experience. This ultimate guide will help you make the best Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich recipe with pro tips, a full video tutorial and answers to all your FAQ’s!
Nashville Hot Chicken is what?
Nashville Hot Chicken- A spicy paste made from cayenne pepper and other seasonings is fried with the chicken in this traditional Southern dish. It is usually served on pieces of white bread, and pickles sit atop. The sandwich assemblage piles all these flavors between two buttery buns.
The crispy, juicy chicken with smoky heat and cool crunchy pickles is a delicious mouthful. Sure, the heat is adjustable to taste but real-deal Nashville Hot Chicken should bite back.
Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich Recipe Ingredients
Below is an ingredient list to make this classic sandwich at your place
For the Chicken:
4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs/breasts
1 cup buttermilk
2 large eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 Tbl Corn Starch (optional and will add more crunch)
Salt and pepper to taste
Vegetable oil (for frying)
For the Hot Paste:
1/2 cup hot frying oil (the one in which the chicken is fried)
1) 2-3 tablespoons cayenne pepper (more if you like it spicy!)
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Sandwich:
Brioche or potato buns
Dill pickle slices
Slaw (if desired, and a nice cool counterpoint)
Instructions for Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
Marinating the chicken in buttermilk keeps it juicy and adds great flavor.
In a larger bowl, whisk the buttermilk and eggs together. Whisk until smooth.
Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
Dip chicken in buttermilk mixture. Place the marinade in a plastic bag and add cleaned vegetables, seal it up with contents inside making sure its empty of air around. Go to grab an bowl for marinating…Cover & throw back into fridge minimum/1hr or overnight.
Step 2: Prepare the Breading
To get that mouth-watering crunchy crust, we are going to mix up some good old flour.
Add the flour, cornstarch, salt and pepper into a shallow dish.
Remove the chicken from the buttermilk mixture, allowing any excess liquid to drain off_coordinates.
Dredge each piece of chicken in flour making sure to press the breading into all the crevices. Place the breaded chicken on a wire rack.
Step 3: Fry the Chicken
If you want a great Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich, that means frying chicken up golden perfectly.
Pour the vegetable oil into a large, heavy skillet or Dutch oven to about 2-3 inches deep, and heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C).
Gently add the breaded chicken to the hot oil, careful not to overpack it. Fry in batches if necessary.
Cook 6-8 minutes per side or until the chicken is golden brown and internal temperature reaches at least 165°F (74°C).
Drain the fried chicken on a wire rack. Set aside 1/2 cup of the frying oil for making hot paste.
How to Make Nashville Hot Paste 4.
To put it in perspective, you need to mix the official spicy pastes that make this sandwich so hot.
In a small bowl, combine salt cayenne pepper brown sugar paprika garlic powder onion powder chili poweder
Slowly pour the hot oil you used to fry your chicken in (reserved amount) into that mixture while stirring. It should be a thickish, just slightly runny paste.
Step 5: Assemble the Sandwich
Now that you have fried the chicken and prepared your hot paste, it’s time to create.
Add the fried chicken to a bowl and rub all over with hot paste, massaging it in on both sides.
Toast your buns to brown.
Add a piece of fried chicken to the bottom bun, cover with dill pickle slices and an ample amount of coleslaw (if using).
Top with the other half of the bun and smoosh down slightly.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!
Top your sandwich with extra pickles and ENJOY with a refreshingly cold drink to cool off the heat!
Tips You Need To Know When Making A Kick-Ass Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich
Dark Meat for Juicy Bites — Thighs are meatier and richer in flavor than chicken breasts, so they offer extra juiciness to this sandwich.
Step 1: Make the Buttermilk Marinade Marinating in buttermilk does wonders for keeping your chicken tender and adds a hint of tangy flavor.
Dunk It Twice, Double Dredge: If you want an extra-crunchy coating, dip the chicken back into the buttermilk and flour mixture a second time before frying.
Check your oil temperature: Make sure that the frying surface retains a constant enough temp to ensure even cooking. This way the outside will burn before inside finish cooking« Your email address
Change the Spice Level: Tennessee Hot Chicken is usually very spicy but you can change amount of cayenne pepper to your taste buds.
#NashvilleHotChickenSandwich Questions
1. What Makes Nashville Hot Chicken Different Than Regular Fried Chicken?
Her Nashville Hot Chicken sets itself a part with its paste of cayenne pepper and other spices. It is a hot paste that you brush onto the fried chicken which gives its an unmistakable fiery taste that distinguish it from regular spicy chickens.
2. Instead of frying it, can chicken be baked?
You could Bake the chicken, but it will probably not be as crispy at regular normal Nashville Hot Chicken. Bake at 200ºC (400°F) until golden and bodies to a thermometer reads °F), flipping about of the style, in order minutes back-to-30. Spray the Chicken with cooking oil to make it even crispier when baked.
3. How do I tame the spice from my hot chicken?
If you want less heat, add less red cayenne pepper in the hot paste. You can also add extra coleslaw to the sandwich or a cooling sauce like ranch dressing and/or mayo to balance out spiciness.
4. What Kind Of Pickles For A Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich
Dill Pickles (for the classic Nashville hot chicken sandwich) The tangy flesh provide a nice contract with the spiciness and gives it a bit of crunch.
5. May I use store brought fried chicken, for this recipe?
Store-bought (Already fried) Fried Chicken Heart-shaped cookie cutter All you have to do is heat your chicken and then toss with the Nashville hot paste for that spice.
6. What Sides to Serve with Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich?
Coleslaw, French fries, potato salad, baked beans and often macaroni and cheese or pasta salad. These sides help break up the flavour of all that heat, providing a little variety within your meal.
7. IS NASHVILLE HOT CHICKEN ALWAYS SERVE WITH PICKLES?
Traditionally, Nashville Hot Chicken is served with pickles on the side or in sandwich form. They provide a crispy, tangy counterpoint to the heat of the chicken.
8. But how do I make and gluten-free sandwich?
If you want your Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich gluten-free, use a flour-blend that is already gluten free for the breading and make sure to get GF friendly sandwich rolls! If desired you can replace the flour for a crispy coating dont use plain corn flakes just crush gluten free kind or also rice of your choice as well.
9. Safe to Keep Leftovers?
Cold, leftover fried chicken keeps really well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat by putting the chicken into a 350° F. oven for about 10-15 minutes to recrisp it up again.
10. Make the hot paste in advance?
Yes you can, make the hot paste up to 2 days in advance and store it an airtight container at room temperature. Gently reheat before brushing over the fried chicken.
Conclusion
My favorite might be the Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich—a crisp, juicy fried chicken breast in bold spices with tangy pickles on a soft buttery bun. Spicy or mild, this recipe is adaptable to anyone. Plate it up with some of your most-loved side dishes and create a comforting meal to transport you to Nashville from the comfort of home.
Now you have the best idea of how to make Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich, and so all that remains is for you to pull your ingredients together!