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Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches Recipe

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4.1 from 2 reviews

Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches feature perfectly seasoned, crispy fried chicken coated in a spicy, slightly sweet Nashville hot sauce, served on toasted buns with creamy mayo, crunchy coleslaw, and tangy pickles. This sandwich offers a flavorful balance of heat and texture, making it an irresistible Southern classic.

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 sandwiches

Ingredients

Chicken and Breading

  • 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 powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper

Nashville Hot Sauce

  • ½ cup frying oil (or melted butter)
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cayenne powder
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder

For Assembling Sandwiches

  • 4 burger buns, buttered and toasted
  • Coleslaw
  • Mayonnaise
  • Pickles

Instructions

  1. Prep the Chicken: Slice each chicken breast in half horizontally to create 4 thin cutlets. Season both sides with salt and pepper. In a small shallow bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and hot sauce. In another shallow bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, cayenne, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
  2. Bread the Chicken: Dredge each chicken cutlet first in the seasoned flour mixture, shaking off the excess. Then dip into the buttermilk-hot sauce mixture, followed by a second dredge into the flour mixture, pressing firmly to coat well on both sides. Shake off any extra flour to create a crumbly coating for a crunchy crust.
  3. Fry the Chicken: Heat about 2 inches of frying oil in a large heavy-duty pan to 350ºF. Fry each chicken piece for approximately 3 minutes on each side until the exterior is dark golden brown and crunchy, and the internal temperature reaches 165ºF. Remove the chicken from the oil and place on a cooling rack to drain excess oil.
  4. Make the Nashville Hot Sauce: Reserve ½ cup of the hot frying oil and transfer it to a small bowl. Add brown sugar, cayenne powder, chili powder, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. Whisk together thoroughly to create the spicy-sweet hot sauce. If the oil is too dark or burned, substitute part or all with melted butter.
  5. Baste the Chicken: While the chicken is still hot, brush the Nashville hot sauce mixture generously over each piece for maximum flavor and heat.
  6. Assemble the Sandwiches: Spread about 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise on the bottom half of each toasted bun. Layer with the hot chicken cutlet, followed by a generous helping of coleslaw and pickles. Top with the bun and serve immediately for best taste and texture.

Notes

  • Ensure the oil temperature stays steady at 350ºF for crispy chicken without absorbing excess oil.
  • If you prefer less heat, reduce the cayenne amount in the breading and sauce.
  • Use a thermometer to check chicken doneness for safety and juiciness.
  • You can prepare the coleslaw ahead for convenience.
  • Substitute mayonnaise with a spicy aioli for an extra flavor kick.
  • Author: Maya
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Sandwich
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Southern American

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