Indulge in the fiery flavors of Nashville with this mouth-watering Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich recipe. Perfect for a family meal or a gathering with friends, this dish combines crispy, spicy chicken with tangy toppings, all nestled between soft buns. Let’s dive into the details!
Ingredients for 4 Servings
For the Chicken:
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 pounds)
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup pickle juice
- 2 tablespoons vinegar-based hot sauce (like Frank’s RedHot)
- Peanut or vegetable oil, for frying
For the Breading:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons dry mustard powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
For the Spicy Oil:
- ¾ cup frying oil (from frying the chicken)
- 2½ tablespoons cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
For Assembly:
- 4 brioche buns
- Dill pickle chips
- Coleslaw (homemade or store-bought)
Grocery List
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1.5 lbs)
- Dairy: Buttermilk (1 cup), eggs (1)
- Condiments: Pickle juice (¼ cup), vinegar-based hot sauce (2 tbsp)
- Oils: Peanut or vegetable oil (for frying), frying oil (¾ cup)
- Baking: All-purpose flour (1 cup), cornstarch (3 tbsp), baking powder (1 tsp)
- Spices: Garlic powder, chili powder, cayenne pepper, dry mustard powder, black pepper, salt, light brown sugar
- Buns: Brioche buns (4)
- Toppings: Dill pickle chips, coleslaw
Cooking Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken:
- In a bowl, combine buttermilk, egg, pickle juice, and hot sauce. Whisk until smooth.
- Add the chicken breasts to the marinade and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight for best results.
- Prepare the Breading:
- In a shallow dish, mix flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, dry mustard powder, black pepper, and baking powder.
- Remove chicken from marinade and dredge each piece in the seasoned flour mixture. Ensure they are well-coated.
- Fry the Chicken:
- Heat about an inch of oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C).
- Fry the chicken pieces for about 8–10 minutes per side or until golden brown and cooked through. Use a meat thermometer to ensure an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C).
- Drain on paper towels.
- Make the Spicy Oil:
- In a bowl, combine the hot frying oil with cayenne pepper, brown sugar, chili powder, garlic powder, and salt. Mix well.
- Brush this spicy oil generously over each piece of fried chicken.
- Assemble the Sandwiches:
- Toast brioche buns lightly in a pan or oven.
- Spread coleslaw on the bottom bun followed by a piece of spicy fried chicken and top with dill pickle chips.
- Close with the top bun and press gently.
- Serve:
- Enjoy your Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich warm with your favorite sides like fries or potato salad.
Cooking Time
- Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus marinating time)
- Cook Time: Approximately 25 minutes
- Total Time: About 35 minutes
Nutritional Information (per sandwich)
- Calories: Approximately 600 kcal
- Protein: 30g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fat: 30g
Helpful Tips and Notes
- Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper in the spicy oil according to your heat preference.
- For extra crunch, consider adding panko breadcrumbs to your breading mix.
- Pair your sandwich with sweet tea to balance out the heat!
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