Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches Recipe
Introduction
Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches are a fiery Southern favorite known for their crispy fried chicken and bold, spicy flavor. This recipe combines a perfectly seasoned crust with a tangy hot sauce, balanced by creamy mayo, crunchy pickles, and cool coleslaw. It’s a deliciously satisfying meal that’s easy to make at home.
Ingredients
- 2 medium chicken breasts
- ½ cup buttermilk
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
- ½ cup frying oil
- 4 burger buns
- Coleslaw (for serving)
- Mayonnaise (for serving)
- Pickles (for serving)
- Cayenne pepper (to taste, for seasoning)
- Garlic powder (to taste, for seasoning)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- Brown sugar (for hot sauce)
Instructions
- Step 1: Slice the chicken breasts into four thin cutlets and season each with salt and pepper.
- Step 2: In one bowl, mix the buttermilk and hot sauce. In another bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Step 3: Dredge each chicken cutlet in the flour mixture, then dip it into the buttermilk and hot sauce mixture, and finally dredge it again in the flour mixture for a crispy coating.
- Step 4: Heat frying oil to 350ºF (175ºC) in a frying pan. Fry each chicken cutlet for about 3 minutes per side or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Step 5: To make the Nashville hot sauce, mix some of the hot oil left in the pan with brown sugar and a pinch of cayenne pepper. Brush this sauce generously over the fried chicken cutlets.
- Step 6: Assemble the sandwiches by spreading mayonnaise on the burger buns, adding the spicy fried chicken, then topping with coleslaw and pickles before closing the sandwich.
Tips & Variations
- For extra heat, add more cayenne pepper to both the flour mixture and the hot sauce.
- Try using brioche buns for a richer sandwich experience.
- Make your own coleslaw with cabbage and carrots dressed in a tangy vinaigrette for a fresher crunch.
- Substitute buttermilk with regular milk mixed with a teaspoon of lemon juice if you don’t have buttermilk on hand.
Storage
Store any leftover fried chicken separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a hot oven or air fryer to help retain crispiness. Assemble sandwiches just before serving to keep buns from becoming soggy.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make the chicken in the oven instead of frying?
Yes, you can bake the chicken cutlets at 400ºF (200ºC) for about 20 minutes, turning halfway through, though frying gives the signature crispy texture.
How spicy is Nashville hot chicken?
The heat is medium to hot and can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the amount of cayenne pepper and hot sauce used in the recipe.
PrintNashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches Recipe
This Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich recipe features tender, juicy chicken breast cutlets marinated in a spicy buttermilk mixture, double-dredged in a crispy seasoned coating, and fried to golden perfection. The fried chicken is basted in a fiery, flavorful Nashville hot sauce and served on toasted burger buns with creamy mayonnaise, tangy coleslaw, and crunchy pickles, delivering a perfect balance of heat, texture, and Southern-inspired flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 sandwiches 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Chicken and Coating
- 2 medium chicken breasts
- ½ cup buttermilk
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Frying and Sauce
- ½ cup frying oil (vegetable or canola oil recommended)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- Additional cayenne pepper and spices as desired for hot sauce
Sandwich Assembly
- 4 burger buns
- Mayonnaise
- Coleslaw
- Pickles
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Slice each chicken breast into four thin cutlets. Season both sides with salt and pepper evenly to enhance flavor.
- Mix wet and dry ingredients: In one bowl, whisk together buttermilk and 1 tablespoon hot sauce to create a spicy marinade. In another bowl, combine all-purpose flour, cornstarch, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to make the seasoned flour mixture.
- Dredge the chicken: Coat each chicken cutlet first in the seasoned flour mixture, then dip into the buttermilk and hot sauce mixture, and finally dredge once more in the flour mixture to ensure a thick, crispy crust.
- Heat the oil: Pour the frying oil into a frying pan and heat it over medium-high heat until it reaches 350ºF (175ºC), ideal for deep frying the chicken cutlets.
- Fry the chicken: Carefully place each dredged cutlet into the hot oil. Fry for approximately 3 minutes per side until the coating is golden brown and the chicken is cooked through.
- Prepare the Nashville hot sauce: While frying, mix some of the hot frying oil with brown sugar and additional cayenne pepper and spices to create a vibrant, spicy glaze. Once frying is complete, baste the fried chicken cutlets generously with this hot sauce for that signature Nashville heat.
- Assemble the sandwiches: Spread mayonnaise on the bottom halves of the burger buns. Place a basted fried chicken cutlet on each bun, then top with coleslaw and pickles. Cover with the top bun and serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Ensure the oil temperature stays consistent to avoid greasy or undercooked chicken.
- Adjust cayenne pepper in the sauce to your preferred spice level.
- For a healthier option, use air fryer instead of deep frying, though texture will differ.
- Buttermilk marinade helps tenderize the chicken and adds tangy flavor.
- Serve sandwiches immediately to retain crispiness of the fried chicken coating.
Keywords: Nashville hot chicken, spicy chicken sandwich, fried chicken, Southern recipe, American comfort food
