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Delicious Nashville Hot Chicken served with pickles on Texas bread.

Nashville Hot Chicken

This Nashville Hot Chicken recipe will have you craving its spicy crunch and savory flavor, all made easily at home.
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Prep Time 4 hours
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Southern
Calories: 600
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 2 pounds chicken pieces (bone-in or boneless thighs)
  • 2 cups buttermilk For marinating
  • 1 tablespoon hot sauce For marinade
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch For extra crunch
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt Plus more for finishing
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 inch neutral oil for frying Enough to fill a skillet
For the Spice Oil Finish
  • 1 cup warm frying oil From frying process
  • 2-3 tablespoons cayenne pepper Adjust for heat preference
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder Optional pinch of chili powder can be added
For Serving
  • Soft white bread For serving
  • Pickles For serving

Method
 

Marination
  1. Stir the buttermilk with hot sauce and a pinch of salt. Add chicken and chill for 30 minutes to 4 hours.
Dredging
  1. In a shallow dish, mix flour, cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Lift each piece from the buttermilk and let excess drip off. Press into flour mix, shake off loose bits, and set on a wire rack for 10 minutes.
Frying
  1. In a heavy skillet, bring oil to about 335 to 350 F. Fry bone-in pieces for 10 to 14 minutes, boneless thighs for 6 to 8 minutes, until crisp and golden. Transfer to a rack and salt lightly.
Making Spice Oil
  1. Ladle warm frying oil into a bowl and stir in cayenne, brown sugar, paprika, and garlic powder.
Finishing
  1. Brush or spoon the spicy oil all over the fried chicken and serve on white bread with pickle chips.

Notes

For optimal results, use a thermometer, pat chicken dry before dredging, and let coated chicken rest before frying. The first bite should be loud, hot, and a little sweet.