Print

Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches Recipe

Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches Recipe
Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 25 reviews

These Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches feature tender, crispy fried chicken cutlets coated in a spicy, smoky cayenne pepper sauce, served on toasted buttered buns with creamy mayo, tangy pickles, and fresh coleslaw. A perfect balance of heat, crunch, and freshness for an irresistible sandwich experience.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken

  • 2 medium chicken breasts
  • ½ cup buttermilk
  • 1 tablespoon hot sauce
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup cornstarch (or more flour)
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ cup frying oil (or melted butter)

For the Nashville Hot Sauce

  • ½ cup hot cooking oil
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cayenne powder
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder

For the Sandwich Assembly

  • 4 burger buns (buttered and toasted)
  • coleslaw (about 1 cup)
  • mayonnaise (about 4 tablespoons)
  • pickles (sliced, as desired)

Instructions

  1. Prep the Chicken: Slice each chicken breast horizontally to create 4 thin cutlets. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper. In a small shallow bowl, whisk together buttermilk and hot sauce. In another bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, cayenne, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
  2. Bread the Chicken: Dredge each chicken cutlet first in the flour mixture, shaking off excess. Then dip it into the buttermilk mixture, and back into the flour mixture, pressing firmly to coat well. Shake off excess flour to ensure a crunchy coating with small crispy crumbs.
  3. Fry the Chicken: Heat about 2 inches of frying oil in a heavy-duty pan to 350ºF (175ºC). Fry chicken cutlets for about 3 minutes per side until golden dark brown and crispy, and the internal temperature reaches 165ºF (74ºC). Remove cooked chicken to a cooling rack to drain excess oil.
  4. Make the Nashville Hot Sauce: Once all chicken pieces are fried, take ½ cup of the hot frying oil and mix it with brown sugar, cayenne powder, chili powder, smoked paprika, and garlic powder in a small bowl. Whisk well to combine. Baste the hot chicken with this spicy oil mixture so the heat and flavor soak in. If oil is too dark or burned, substitute some or all with melted butter.
  5. Assemble the Sandwiches: Spread about 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise onto the bottom halves of toasted buttered buns. Place one piece of the Nashville hot chicken on each bun, top with a generous spoonful of coleslaw and a few pickle slices. Cover with the top bun and serve immediately while hot and crispy.

Notes

  • Use a thermometer to maintain oil temperature for consistent frying results.
  • Adjust cayenne powder amount in the hot sauce to your preferred spice level.
  • To make the sandwich less spicy, omit the cayenne in the breading and reduce it in the hot sauce.
  • Buttermilk tenderizes the chicken for juicy results.
  • Make sure to let excess oil drain to keep the coating crisp.
  • These sandwiches are best enjoyed fresh but can be kept warm in a low oven for up to 30 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: Nashville hot chicken, spicy chicken sandwich, fried chicken sandwich, hot chicken recipe, Southern fried chicken, spicy sandwich

Find it online: https://platedbyemma.com/nashville-hot-chicken-sandwiches-recipe/