Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches

If you’ve been to any bar or restaurant in the past few years, you’ve likely seen at least one Nashville hot chicken item on the menu, from sandwiches to wings, tenders and more. The chicken is crispy and juicy with a spicy menagerie of flavors that people can’t seem to get enough of. Served on fluffy brioche with pickles and mayo and slathered in a spicy glaze, our Nashville hot chicken sandwich is an ode to the beloved recipe and is as close as you’re going to get to the real thing without a plane ticket to Tennessee.

What is Nashville hot chicken?

Until a few years ago, many outside of Tennessee didn’t even know about Nashville hot chicken. But thanks to the spice-obsessed (and maybe some clever marketing), droves of people now travel to Nashville every year to try the chicken from some of the original and most famous makers, including Prince’s, Bolton’s and Hattie B’s.

Real Nashville hot chicken isn’t the same as other spicy fried chicken. Most other recipes get their heat by adding spices, like cayenne, to the batter. But Nashville hot chicken gets its heat from different points throughout the cooking process: in the brine (or marinade), in the crispy breading, and finally in a spicy oil-based glaze made with oil, chiles, spices and a bit of brown sugar for subtle sweetness.

What makes the glaze truly special is that, unlike other sauces, it doesn’t make the fried chicken soggy. The secret is to apply the glaze immediately after the chicken comes out of the fryer, while it’s still piping hot. This ensures the oil absorbs into the crispy, golden coating as it dries rather than simply coating the exterior, which can trap steam and make the chicken soggy.

Ingredients for Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches

• Chicken tenderloins: This small, thin strip of meat is located under the breast, cooks quickly, and remains tender and juicy once cooked. You can also use boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into strips or chicken thighs.
• Dill pickle juice: Taste of Home recipe contributor April H. Lane of Greeneville, Tennessee, starts by marinating the chicken in pickle juice. Pickle-brined chicken is a great way to add tangy flavor and tenderize the meat.
• Louisiana-style hot sauce: Your favorite hot sauce provides the first and second waves of heat in this Nashville hot chicken sandwich recipe. It is added to the brine and also to the buttermilk mixture used to help coat the chicken with flour before frying.
• Salt and pepper: Season the pickle brine with salt and pepper.
• All-purpose flour: A bit of all-purpose flour coats the chicken and turns crispy when fried.
• Eggs: Eggs help the flour adhere to the chicken before frying.
• Buttermilk: If you don’t keep buttermilk in your fridge, this is your sign to start. It’s our favorite dairy product for breading fish or chicken, and it makes a killer base for homemade creamy salad dressings.
• Oil: The best oils for frying include canola, vegetable, peanut or corn oil.
• Spicy glaze: To make the glaze, mix olive oil with cayenne, brown sugar, chili powder, garlic powder and paprika, then pour it over the chicken before serving.
• Brioche hamburger buns: Brioche rolls are soft but sturdy, just what you want with a loaded Nashville hot chicken sandwich. Homemade always tastes best, but store-bought versions do the trick.
• Mayonnaise: Creamy mayonnaise helps mellow the chicken’s spicy bite.
• Sliced sweet pickles: Sliced pickles add a touch of sweetness and acidity to balance the salty and spicy flavors in this Nashville hot chicken sandwich recipe.

Directions

Step 1: Brine the chicken

In a shallow bowl, combine the chicken, pickle juice, 1 tablespoon hot sauce, salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate for one hour.

Step 2: Dredge the chicken

Place the flour in another shallow bowl. In a third shallow bowl, whisk together eggs, buttermilk and the remaining 1 tablespoon of hot sauce. Dredge the chicken in the flour, next dip it in the buttermilk mixture and then run it through the flour again, patting to help it adhere.

Editor’s Tip: Place the chicken on a wire rack over a baking sheet and let it sit for 15 minutes or so; this helps the breading adhere better and stay on during the fry.

Step 3: Fry to golden perfection

In an electric skillet or Dutch oven, heat oil to 375°F. Fry the chicken in batches for five to six minutes on each side or until the internal temperature reaches 165°. Drain the chicken on paper towels.

Step 4: Glaze the chicken

To make the spicy glaze, combine olive oil, cayenne, brown sugar, chili powder, garlic powder and paprika. Immediately pour over the hot chicken.

Editor’s Tip: For an authentic touch, gently warm the glaze in a small saucepan over medium-low heat before coating the chicken.

Step 5: Make the sandwiches

Serve the fried chicken on the buns with mayonnaise and pickles.

Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich Variations

• Use the frying oil: Combine the spices for the glaze in a small heatproof bowl. After frying the chicken, carefully ladle 1 cup of the frying oil over the spices. Let the spices bloom for a minute or two, then pour the glaze over the chicken while it is still hot. Serve.
• Spice it up: Most Nashville hot chicken houses will offer chicken with varying degrees of spiciness. Feel free to adjust the heat of your chicken sandwiches to suit your taste buds by varying the amount or type of hot sauce, cayenne or chili powder used at various stages of preparation.
• Add more toppings: As with any sandwich, you can dress this one up as you choose. Add cheese, lettuce, more pickles or another sauce.

How to Store Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches

It’s best to store the different components for Nashville hot chicken sandwiches in separate food containers. The chicken will last up to four days in the refrigerator.

Can you freeze Nashville hot chicken?

You can freeze cooked Nashville hot chicken in zip-top bags or airtight food storage containers for three to four months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat.

How do you reheat Nashville hot chicken for sandwiches?

For the best taste, do not microwave this recipe; the chicken will become soggy and lose its crisp texture. Instead, reheat the chicken on a baking sheet in a 350° oven until heated through and crispy. Or, reheat in an air fryer. With either method, you can make a fresh batch of glaze and apply it to the reheated chicken if desired.

Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich Tips

Can you make Nashville hot chicken in an air fryer or oven?

Yes, you can make the chicken breast for these sandwiches similar to how it is cooked in this air-fryer Nashville hot chicken recipe. To prepare it in the oven, place the coated chicken pieces on a wire rack over a baking sheet, then lightly spritz the chicken with cooking spray. Bake, flipping once, until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken reads 165° and the chicken is golden and crispy.

What else can you do with Nashville hot chicken?

For a simple twist, stuff extra-large tortillas with Nashville hot chicken, pickles and mayo for a spicy wrap. You could also make a killer game-day appetizer by making Nashville hot chicken sliders on smaller buns or rolls. Alternatively, pile a few pieces of chicken onto a green salad, then drizzle on some cooling homemade ranch dressing.

What else can you serve with Nashville hot chicken sandwiches?

To go with Nashville hot chicken sandwiches, serve hot and crispy homemade french fries or sweet-and-saucy baked beans. Round out the meal with collard greens, coleslaw, and baked mac and cheese.

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