Spicy Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches (Printable)
Fiery fried chicken coated in Nashville hot sauce, served on brioche with pickles and creamy slaw.
# What You Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs
02 - 1 cup buttermilk
03 - 1 teaspoon hot sauce
04 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
05 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
→ Dredge
06 - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
07 - 1/4 cup cornstarch
08 - 1 teaspoon paprika
09 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
10 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
11 - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
12 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
→ Nashville Hot Sauce
13 - 1/2 cup vegetable oil
14 - 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
15 - 2 tablespoons brown sugar
16 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
17 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
18 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
19 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
→ Sandwich Build
20 - 4 brioche buns
21 - 1 cup dill pickle chips
22 - 2 cups coleslaw
23 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
# Steps:
01 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together buttermilk, hot sauce, kosher salt, and black pepper. Submerge chicken thighs in the mixture and marinate for at least 20 minutes, or refrigerate up to overnight for deeper flavor.
02 - Combine all-purpose flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and salt in a shallow dish. Blend thoroughly to ensure even seasoning.
03 - Remove chicken from marinade, allowing excess to drip off. Dredge each thigh in the seasoned flour mix, pressing firmly to achieve full coverage. Rest coated chicken on a wire rack for 10 minutes to set crust.
04 - Pour vegetable oil into a heavy skillet or Dutch oven to a depth of 1 inch. Heat the oil over medium-high heat to 350°F.
05 - Fry chicken thighs in batches for 5 to 7 minutes per side, turning once, until golden brown and crisp. Internal temperature should reach 165°F. Transfer fried chicken to a clean wire rack to drain.
06 - Carefully combine 1/2 cup hot frying oil with cayenne pepper, brown sugar, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and salt in a heatproof bowl. Whisk until smooth and consistent.
07 - Brush both sides of each fried chicken thigh generously with the Nashville hot sauce to coat evenly.
08 - If desired, spread unsalted butter on the cut sides of brioche buns. Toast in a skillet over medium heat until golden and warmed through.
09 - Layer sauced chicken thighs on the bottom bun, top with dill pickle chips and a robust helping of coleslaw. Cap with the top bun and serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- If you secretly crave that tingling heat and shattering crunch, this sandwich delivers it all, just the way you imagine.
- With each batch I learned how juicy chicken and perfect sauce-to-bun ratio can win over even the doubters at your table.
02 -
- If you rush the marinating or skip the resting, the chicken just doesn’t sing—patience is crucial.
- Brushing the sauce while the chicken is still hot lets it soak in, making every bite addictive instead of just spicy.
03 -
- Check your oil temperature between batches; cooler oil means soggy crust, which nobody wants.
- Brushing—never dunking—the hot sauce helps every piece stay crisp instead of wilting under the heat.