Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ For the Chicken
01 -
2 medium chicken breasts, sliced in half horizontally
02 -
1/2 cup buttermilk
03 -
1 tablespoon hot sauce, your favorite kind
04 -
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
05 -
1/2 cup cornstarch (or more flour if you prefer)
06 -
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
07 -
1 teaspoon garlic powder
08 -
1 teaspoon salt
09 -
1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
→ Nashville Hot Sauce
10 -
1/2 cup hot frying oil or melted butter
11 -
1 tablespoon brown sugar
12 -
1 tablespoon cayenne powder
13 -
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
14 -
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
15 -
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
→ For Serving
16 -
4 soft burger buns, buttered for toasting
17 -
Fresh coleslaw
18 -
Good quality mayonnaise
19 -
Crunchy dill pickles
# Instructions:
01 -
Cut each chicken breast in half horizontally to create four thinner cutlets. Season both sides with a pinch of salt and pepper. In one shallow bowl, mix buttermilk with hot sauce. In another bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, and all your spices until well mixed.
02 -
Take each piece of chicken and dip it first in the seasoned flour mixture, then into the buttermilk, and finally back into the flour. Press the flour mixture firmly onto the chicken to create little crumbs that will become extra crunchy when fried. Shake off any excess flour.
03 -
Heat about 2 inches of oil in a deep, heavy pan until it reaches 350°F. Carefully place your breaded chicken into the hot oil and fry for about 3 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. The inside should reach 165°F. Place the fried chicken on a wire rack to drain.
04 -
Once all your chicken is fried, take 1/2 cup of the hot cooking oil (or use melted butter for a richer flavor) and mix it with brown sugar and all your spices in a bowl. While the chicken is still hot, brush it generously with this spicy oil mixture.
05 -
Toast your buttered buns until golden. Spread a generous spoonful of mayo on the bottom bun, add your hot chicken, then top with fresh coleslaw and pickles. Serve right away while the chicken is still hot and crispy.
# Notes:
01 -
Leftover chicken stays crispy for up to 3 days when stored in an airtight container in the fridge
02 -
For extra-crispy reheated chicken, warm it up in the oven or air fryer instead of the microwave
03 -
You can adjust the heat level by changing the amount of cayenne in both the breading and hot oil