Nashville hot chicken sandwiches marinate chicken thighs in spiced buttermilk, fry them after a flour-cornstarch dredge, then brush on a glaze made from the hot frying oil itself mixed with cayenne and brown sugar, ready in about 35 minutes. Using a portion of the actual frying oil as the base for the hot glaze, rather than a separate oil, is the traditional Nashville hot technique and what makes the glaze cling and coat rather than sit on top like a sauce.
Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 🟡 For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 tsp hot sauce
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- Oil for frying
- 🟡 Nashville Hot Glaze:
- 1/3 cup frying oil (reserved)
- 1 tbsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Pinch of chili flakes (optional)
- 🟡 To Assemble:
- 4 brioche buns, toasted
- Sliced pickles
- Creamy coleslaw (optional)
Instructions
- Marinate chicken in buttermilk and hot sauce for at least 1 hour (or overnight).
- In a bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Dredge marinated chicken in the dry mix until fully coated. Let rest for 10 minutes.
- Heat oil in a deep skillet to 350°F (175°C). Fry chicken 5–6 minutes per side until golden and internal temp reaches 165°F. Drain on rack.
- For hot glaze: carefully mix 1/3 cup hot frying oil with cayenne, brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, and chili flakes.
- Brush glaze over fried chicken while hot.
- Assemble sandwiches with toasted buns, pickles, slaw (if using), and hot chicken. Serve immediately.
Recipe Notes
- Adjust cayenne to control heat level.
- Frying in cast iron gives extra crisp.
- Great with a side of fries or mac and cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size
- 1 sandwich
- Calories
- 650
- Sugar
- 5g
- Sodium
- 820mg
- Fat
- 35g
- Saturated Fat
- 8g
- Unsaturated Fat
- 25g
- Trans Fat
- 0g
- Carbohydrates
- 50g
- Fiber
- 2g
- Protein
- 30g
- Cholesterol
- 105mg
Why you'll love this
- Combining flour and cornstarch in the dredge, rather than flour alone, gives the fried coating the light, shatter-crisp texture that holds up to the hot oil glaze brushed on afterward.
- Letting the dredged chicken rest for 10 minutes before frying helps the coating set and adhere, rather than sliding off the moment it hits the hot oil.
Tips for the best result
- Mix the hot glaze carefully, as the recipe's own notes caution, since it involves hot frying oil that needs to be handled with care.
- Adjust the cayenne to control heat level, per the recipe's own notes, since Nashville hot chicken can range from mild to extremely spicy depending on preference.
Troubleshooting
The glaze doesn't stick to the chicken.
Brush it on while the chicken is still hot from frying, as the instructions specify, since the residual heat helps the glaze adhere and slightly set on the crispy coating.
The dish is too spicy.
Reduce the cayenne pepper in the glaze next time, per the recipe's own notes, since the amount given is meant to be adjustable to taste.
Hot oil mixture turned out too spicy.
add more butter or a touch of honey to mellow it out.
Store the chicken and glaze separately if possible, reheating the chicken in an oven to help preserve the coating.
The recipe's own notes suggest frying in cast iron for extra crisp, served with fries or mac and cheese.
Frequently asked questions
What makes Nashville Hot Chicken different from regular fried chicken?
Nashville Hot Chicken features a signature cayenne-based hot oil that’s brushed over crispy fried chicken, creating a distinctive spicy-sweet flavor profile with visible red coloring and intense heat that builds with each bite.
Can I make Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches ahead of time?
Yes! Fry the chicken and prepare the hot oil mixture up to a day ahead. Reheat chicken in a 350°F oven until crispy, then brush with rewarmed spicy oil before assembling sandwiches.
How can I adjust the spice level?
Control the heat by adjusting the cayenne pepper amount in your hot oil mixture. Start with half the recommended amount for milder sandwiches or double it for extreme heat seekers.
What’s the best bread for Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches?
Brioche buns offer the perfect balance of sweetness and structure to complement the spicy chicken, but potato rolls or Texas toast are excellent alternatives that hold up well.
Can I make these sandwiches gluten-free?
Absolutely! Substitute regular flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend and ensure your spices and other ingredients are certified gluten-free for delicious gluten-free Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches.
Save this recipe for later
Keep this recipe handy when you are planning another chicken dinner.
Save on Pinterest
