🔥 Nashville Hot Chicken Recipe: How to Make This Spicy Southern Favorite at Home
Nashville Hot Chicken is a fiery, flavor-packed fried chicken dish that originated in Nashville, Tennessee. Known for its ultra-crispy coating and signature cayenne-based spice blend, this Southern classic has gained nationwide popularity. Whether you’re a spice lover or just craving something bold and crispy, this step-by-step Nashville Hot Chicken recipe will bring the heat to your kitchen.
🍗 What Is Nashville Hot Chicken?
Nashville Hot Chicken is a spicy fried chicken dish traditionally served on white bread with pickles. What makes it unique is the spicy oil brushed on the chicken after frying—typically made with cayenne pepper, paprika, brown sugar, and a hint of garlic.
🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Chicken:
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4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks
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2 cups buttermilk
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2 tsp hot sauce
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2 cups all-purpose flour
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1 tsp salt
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1 tsp black pepper
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1 tsp paprika
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Oil for frying (vegetable or peanut oil)
For the Spicy Paste:
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½ cup frying oil (taken from the fryer after chicken is done)
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2–3 tbsp cayenne pepper (adjust to your heat level)
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1 tbsp brown sugar
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½ tsp paprika
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½ tsp garlic powder
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½ tsp onion powder
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Salt to taste
🧑🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Marinate the Chicken
In a bowl, combine buttermilk and hot sauce. Add chicken and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. This helps tenderize the chicken and infuse flavor.
2. Prepare the Dredge
In a separate bowl, mix flour, salt, pepper, and paprika. Remove the chicken from the marinade and dredge each piece in the seasoned flour until well coated. Shake off the excess and set aside.
3. Fry the Chicken
Heat oil in a deep fryer or large skillet to 350°F (175°C). Fry the chicken pieces in batches until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp of 165°F), about 12–15 minutes. Let drain on a wire rack.
4. Make the Hot Oil Paste
Carefully ladle out ½ cup of the hot frying oil into a heatproof bowl. Stir in cayenne, brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix until it forms a deep red, spicy paste.
5. Brush and Serve
Brush the spicy paste generously over the fried chicken. Serve immediately on white bread with dill pickle chips.
🧂 Optional Add-Ons
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Coleslaw – A creamy coleslaw balances the heat perfectly.
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Mac and Cheese – Southern comfort at its finest.
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Waffles – Go for a Nashville hot chicken and waffles combo!
🌶️ Pro Tips
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Want extra crispy chicken? Double dredge: dip chicken in buttermilk again after the first flour coat, then dredge in flour a second time.
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Adjust the heat by reducing or increasing the amount of cayenne.
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Always let fried chicken rest on a wire rack, not paper towels—this prevents sogginess.
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“Southern fried chicken with cayenne”
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With clear instructions, relevant keywords, and a user-friendly format, this article is optimized to attract home cooks, food bloggers, and spice lovers alike.
🍽️ Final Thoughts
Whether you’re hosting a Southern-style feast or simply craving crispy, spicy comfort food, Nashville Hot Chicken is the ultimate indulgence. This homemade recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor and crunch, straight from your kitchen.
Ready to turn up the heat? Try this Nashville Hot Chicken recipe tonight! 🔥