Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches

Name: Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 10 servings
Cuisine: North America, Southern
Ingredients: 2 pounds chicken tenderloins (about 20 pieces); 1 cup dill pickle juice; 2 tablespoons Louisiana-style hot sauce, divided; 1-1/2 teaspoons salt; 2 teaspoons pepper; 3 cups all-purpose flour; 3 large eggs; 1-1/2 cups buttermilk; Oil for deep-fat frying; SPICY GLAZE:; 1 cup olive oil; 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper; 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar; 1 teaspoon chili powder; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon paprika; TO ASSEMBLE:; 10 brioche hamburger buns, split; Mayonnaise; Sliced sweet pickles

Total Time Prep: 30 min. + marinating. Cook: 5 min./batch

Yield 10 servings

Test Kitchen Approved

These crispy, juicy Nashville hot chicken sandwiches are an explosion of textures and spice.

Ingredients

2 pounds chicken tenderloins (about 20 pieces)
1 cup dill pickle juice
2 tablespoons Louisiana-style hot sauce, divided
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons pepper
3 cups all-purpose flour
3 large eggs
1-1/2 cups buttermilk
Oil for deep-fat frying
SPICY GLAZE:
1 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
TO ASSEMBLE:
10 brioche hamburger buns, split
Mayonnaise
Sliced sweet pickles

Directions

In a shallow bowl, combine chicken, pickle juice, 1 tablespoon hot sauce, salt and pepper. Cover; refrigerate for 1 hour.
Place flour in another shallow bowl. In a third shallow bowl, whisk together eggs, buttermilk and remaining 1 tablespoon hot sauce.
Dip chicken in flour, then in buttermilk mixture, and then back in flour, patting to help adhere.
In an electric skillet or Dutch oven, heat oil to 375°. Fry chicken, a few pieces at a time, for 5-6 minutes on each side or until internal temperature reaches 165 °F. Drain on paper towels.
To make spicy sauce, combine oil and next 5 ingredients. Immediately pour over hot chicken. Serve on buns with mayonnaise and pickles.

Nutrition Facts

1 sandwich: 474 calories, 23g fat (4g saturated fat), 112mg cholesterol, 429mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 3g fiber), 30g protein.

These Nashville hot chicken sandwiches couldn't be more flavorful. The meat is brined in pickle juice and hot sauce and then slathered in a spicy sauce with cayenne, paprika and other spices after it's fried. Upon assembly, sandwiches are completed with mayo and pickles for the ultimate handheld. —April H. Lane, Greeneville, Tennessee

Recipe Creator