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nashville hot chicken recipe

Nashville Hot Chicken Recipe

Pinklady
The origins of Nashville Hot Chicken trace back to the 1930s when Thornton Prince, a restaurateur, was served an extra-spicy fried chicken dish as payback from a scorned lover. To everyone's surprise, Thornton loved it so much that he turned it into a restaurant specialty. His family later established "Prince's Hot Chicken Shack," which remains one of Nashville’s most famous eateries.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Course Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 550 kcal

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowls
  • Deep frying pan or Dutch oven
  • Tongs
  • Baking sheet with a wire rack
  • Thermometer (optional but recommended)

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken:

  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 1 tablespoon hot sauce
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Vegetable oil (for frying)

For the Hot Sauce Glaze:

  • 1/2 cup frying oil (reserved from the pan)
  • 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • Salt to taste

For Serving:

  • Pickle slices
  • White sandwich bread

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the Chicken
    Place the chicken pieces in a large mixing bowl. Add buttermilk and hot sauce, ensuring the chicken is fully submerged. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight for the best flavor.
    In another bowl, combine the flour, salt, black pepper, paprika, and cayenne pepper.
  • Bread the Chicken
    Remove the chicken from the buttermilk mixture and let the excess drip off.
    Coat each piece in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing gently to ensure an even coating. Set aside on a baking sheet.
  • Fry the Chicken
    Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a frying pan or Dutch oven to 350°F (175°C).
    Fry the chicken in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Cook each piece for 12-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and fully cooked (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C).
    Transfer the fried chicken to a wire rack to drain excess oil.
  • Make the Hot Sauce Glaze
    In a small bowl, mix the cayenne pepper, brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, and salt.
    Carefully add 1/2 cup of the reserved frying oil to the spice mixture and stir until combined.
    Using a brush, generously coat each piece of fried chicken with the hot sauce glaze.
  • Serve and Enjoy
    Serve the Nashville Hot Chicken on slices of white bread with pickle slices on top.
    Pair with sides like coleslaw, fries, or mac and cheese for a complete meal.

Video

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