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Crispy Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches

Crispy Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches
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Crispy Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches are a perfect blend of bold Southern flavors, featuring juicy buttermilk-brined chicken thighs fried to a perfect crunch and coated with a fiery Nashville-style spice blend. Served on soft buns with crisp pickles and a spicy butter sauce, these sandwiches deliver a mouthwatering balance of spice, texture, and comfort, ideal for meals or gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken and Brine

  • 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon salt

For the Spicy Flour Coating

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For Frying

  • Vegetable oil (enough for deep frying, about 4 cups)

For the Hot Oil Sauce

  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 3 tablespoons hot sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot)
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

For Assembly

  • Soft sandwich buns (fluffy and fresh)
  • Dill pickle slices (about 1 small jar)
  • Optional: spicy mayo, coleslaw, sliced jalapeños

Instructions

  1. Prep the Chicken: Soak the boneless chicken thighs in a mixture of buttermilk and salt for at least 2 hours or overnight to tenderize and add flavor.
  2. Make the Spicy Flour Coating: In a large bowl, combine all-purpose flour, cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to create the seasoned dredging mixture.
  3. Dredge and Fry the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the buttermilk, letting excess drip off, then thoroughly coat each piece in the spicy flour mixture. Heat vegetable oil to 350°F and fry chicken pieces for 6-8 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.
  4. Prepare the Hot Oil Sauce: While frying, melt the butter and stir in cayenne pepper, hot sauce, brown sugar, and garlic powder. Brush this hot sauce generously over the fried chicken immediately after frying to lock in the heat and flavor.
  5. Assemble the Sandwiches: Place each piece of hot chicken on a soft toasted bun, top with dill pickle slices, and add any additional toppings like spicy mayo or coleslaw if desired. Serve hot and enjoy.

Notes

  • Bone-in or boneless thighs both work well; bone-in adds flavor but boneless are easier to eat.
  • Maintain the oil temperature at a steady 350°F for even frying and crisp texture.
  • Don’t skip the buttermilk brine to keep the chicken moist and tender.
  • Brush the hot oil sauce onto the fried chicken immediately while it’s still hot for best absorption.
  • Lightly butter and toast the buns for added crunch and flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: Nashville hot chicken, spicy fried chicken sandwich, Southern chicken sandwich, Nashville hot chicken sandwich, crispy fried chicken, spicy chicken sandwich

Find it online: https://emillycooks.com/crispy-nashville-hot-chicken-sandwiches/