This Nashville hot chicken recipe makes the best spicy, crispy fried chicken known for its wonderful heat, drenched in fiery Nashville hot sauce. Plus, I’ll show you how to make it extra spicy!
Nashville Hot Chicken Recipe
Have you ever tried Nashville Hot Chicken? If not, you are going to love it. It's one of my favorite ways to enjoy fried chicken. Nashville Hot Chicken reached quick fame when it began to appear on menus everywhere a few years ago, and with good reason.
What is Nashville Hot Chicken?
Nashville Hot Chicken is chicken that is fried golden, then dipped or brushed with a spicy hot oil made from the frying oil and a mixture of spicy seasonings. The result is fried chicken that is juicy and tender on the inside, crispy and spicy on the outside, and jam packed with flavor.
There are a few ways to make this recipe, and here is my version. I focus on three main steps:
- The Brine
- The Dredge/Fry
- The Hot Oil (Nashville Hot Sauce)
For my spicy food lovers out there, I'll show you how to make an extra spicy version with a few additions to each step. You can choose to make this without all the extras, though, and you'll still get a wonderfully spicy fried chicken.
Let's talk about how to make Nashville Hot Chicken, shall we?
Nashville Hot Chicken Ingredients
- FOR THE BRINE
- Pickle Juice. Or use the brine from pickled peppers for extra spicy, or both.
- Pickle Slices. Plus more for serving.
- Pickled Peppers. Optional, for a spicier brine.
- Water.
- Salt.
- Fresh Chopped Peppers. Optional, for a spicier brine.
- FOR THE CHICKEN
- Bone-in Chicken. Use chicken breasts, wings, thighs, whatever combination you like.
- Spices & Seasonings. Salt and black pepper, smoked paprika, cayenne.
- Buttermilk.
- Eggs.
- Hot Sauce.
- Flour. All-purpose.
- Vegetable Oil. For frying.
- FOR THE HOT & SPICY OIL (Nashville Hot Sauce)
- Cayenne.
- Brown Sugar.
- Smoked Paprika.
- Garlic Powder.
- Cumin.
- Salt and Black Pepper.
- Ghost Chili Flakes. Optional, for an extra, extra spicy version.
- For Serving. Pickled slices, white bread
How to Make Nashville Hot Chicken - the Recipe Method
First, add the chicken to a large bowl and add the pickling juices, pickles and pickled peppers, salt and fresh spicy peppers. Add enough water to cover, about ½ cup.
Cover and refrigerate to brine for at least 4 hours. Overnight is best for the most flavor penetration.
When you’re ready to cook, remove the pieces of chicken and pat dry. Season it with salt and pepper.
In one large bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, and hot sauce.
In another large bowl, stir together the flour, paprika and cayenne.
Heat the oil in a large wide pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat to 350 degrees F. If you are unable to measure the temperature, add a droplet of batter to the oil. It is ready when the batter sizzles. Do NOT bring the oil to a boil. A cast iron skillet can work for this if the sides are high enough.
Dredge the chicken pieces in the seasoned flour...
Then into the buttermilk mixture...
Then into the flour mixture one more time.
Fry the chicken in the oil 8-9 minutes, or until they turn golden brown. An instant read thermometer inserted should measure 165 degrees F internally. Deep frying the chicken this way gives them a wonderful crispiness.
I like to use my Thermapen meat thermometer from ThermoWorks (I’m an affiliate) to get the perfect temperature every time.
Remove and drain on a paper towel lined plate, or on a wire rack. Repeat with the remaining chicken pieces.
NOTE: If you're working in batches, keep the fried chicken warm in the oven on a baking sheet at 250 degrees F until ready to serve.
FOR THE HOT & SPICY OIL
Add the cayenne, brown sugar, ghost pepper flakes, paprika, garlic, cumin and salt and pepper to a heatproof medium bowl.
Carefully scoop out ¾ cup of the hot frying oil. Let the oil cool for a bit first. Whisk it into the seasonings until well combined.
Brush the hot oil over the chicken and serve with pickle slices and white bread. And extra hot sauce!
Boom! Nashville Hot Chicken is on the table! Ready to enjoy! You're in for one heck of a dinner, my friends.
Recipe Tips & Notes
The Brine
Pickle brine is great, though I like to use the brine from my hot pickles recipe and sometimes the brine from my spicy pickled peppers, or a combination of both. Adding extra hot peppers will give you extra heat in the final dish. Also, the brine is optional. It adds extra flavor, but you can make this recipe without it if you’re in a hurry. The most essential is the hot oil.
Cooking/Frying Times
Cooking times can vary depending on the size of the chicken pieces. If you don’t reach internal temperature after 10 minutes of frying, finish the chicken in the oven at 300 degrees until you reach 165 degrees F internally. They will still stay nice and crispy.
I had 3 very large chicken breasts, about 1.5 pounds each! I needed a little extra time. Thinner boneless chicken pieces will cook more quickly.
Frying Tips for Nashville Hot Chicken
Fry your chicken in batches so you do not overcrowd the pan. The oil needs to circulate to get all the edges of the breaded chicken. Also, bring the oil back up to temp before frying the next batch.
Refrigerate the breaded chicken for 1 hour before frying, which will ensure the crust will better stick to the chicken when you fry it.
Bring your chicken to room temperature before frying to ensure a proper cook all the way through.
Extra Spicy Nashville Hot Chicken
If you want an extra hot version of this Nashville Hot Chicken Recipe, add extra spicy seasonings to the hot oil mixture. The recipe calls for cayenne pepper and other ingredients that add a nice heat level, but add ghost pepper flakes or hotter fresh peppers to the mixture and you will REALLY get some heat.
Adding extra spicy chili flakes to the brine, the flour coating, and especially the Nashville hot oil will give you the extra spice you crave. Carolina Reapers, anyone? Yes!
What to Serve With Nashville Hot Chicken
I serve my Nashville hot chicken with white bread and pickles, but you can serve it with a side dish of coleslaw, french fries, mac and cheese, or crispy potato chips.
Break out the ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing for some creaminess.
That's it, my friends. Did you enjoy it? Did you make an extra spicy version? Of course you did, you crazy chilihead, you! I wish I could have enjoyed it with you. I hope you like it!
Want More Recipes?
You'll love my spicy Peri Peri Chicken Recipe or this amazing Paprika Chicken Recipe (Chicken Paprikash) for big flavor.
This Jamaican Jerk Chicken is hugely popular with spicy food lovers, and you can't go wrong with my Harissa Chicken Recipe, or my Chipotle Chicken Recipe (especially for quick and easy).
Try these as well!
Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H.
Nashville Hot Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
FOR THE BRINE
- 1 cup pickle juice or use the brine from pickled peppers, or both
- 1/2 cup pickle slices
- ½ cup pickled peppers
- ½ cup water enough to cover the chicken
- 3 tablespoons salt
- 2-3 fresh spicy peppers sliced (optional, for extra heat – I used a couple habanero peppers)
FOR THE CHICKEN
- 4 pounds bone-in chicken use chicken breasts, wings, thighs, whatever combination you like
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 3 cups buttermilk
- 3 large eggs beaten
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce
- 2 cups flour all-purpose
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon cayenne
- 4 cups vegetable oil or use peanut or canola, for frying
FOR THE HOT & SPICY OIL
- 4 tablespoons cayenne
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ghost pepper flakes or powder optional, for an extra hot and spicy version!
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- FOR SERVING: Pickled slices white bread
Instructions
- Add the chicken to a large bowl and add the pickling juices, pickles and pickled peppers, salt and fresh spicy peppers. Add enough water to cover, about ½ cup. Cover and refrigerate to brine for at least 4 hours. Overnight is best for the most flavor penetration.
- When you’re ready to cook, remove the chicken and pat it dry. Season it with salt and pepper.
- In one large bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs and hot sauce.
- In another large bowl, stir together the flour, paprika and cayenne.
- Heat the oil in a large wide pot over medium-high heat to 350 degrees F. If you are unable to measure the temperature, add a droplet of batter to the oil. It is ready when the batter sizzles. Do NOT bring the oil to a boil.
- Dredge the chicken pieces in the seasoned flour, then into the buttermilk mixture, then into the flour one more time.
- Fry the chicken in the oil 8-9 minutes, or until they turn golden brown. An instant read thermometer inserted should measure 165 degrees F internally. Remove and drain on a paper towel lined plate, or on a wire rack.
FOR THE HOT & SPICY OIL
- Add the cayenne, brown sugar, ghost pepper flakes, paprika, garlic, cumin and salt and pepper to a heatproof bowl.
- Carefully scoop out ¾ cup of the hot frying oil. Whisk it into the seasonings until well combined.
- Brush the hot oil over the chicken and serve with pickle slices and white bread. And extra hot sauce!
Notes
Nutrition Information
NOTE: This recipe was updated on 4/20/22 to include new information. It was originally published on 2/26.20.
Lisa Murphey says
Do you have a fried pickle recipe?
Mike H. says
Lisa, here are all the pickle recipes that I have at the moment. Check them out!
Lisa Murphey says
Do you have a ranch dipping sauce you make? I use your mustard sauce and I think you did a blue cheese sauce plus the alabama white sauce, but i’m in the mood for ranch with nashville hot fried chicken and fried pickles.
Mike H. says
Not at the moment, but I do have Nashville hot chicken wings. Just saying 😉 Also, here are all of my sauces.
Lisa Murphey says
Hi…hope your day is starting out well!
Question: could i defrost my chicken thighs in the refrigerator with the brine covering them?
Mike H. says
Lisa, absolutely. Just use a properly salted brine and pat dry before dredging. Enjoy!
Lisa Murphey says
Question about pickle brine..using most of the pickle or pepper juice from the jar is leaving the pickles/peppers to dry in the jar. How do you refresh the juice or make pickle brine without drying out my pickles?
Mike Hultquist says
Lisa, you can make brine using my Pickled Jalapenos Recipe here: https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/recipes/pickled-jalapenos/. Realistically, you can add in some vinegar to refresh the juice/brine if needed, or a mix of water/vinegar with some spices. Simmering it blends the flavors better.
Lisa Murphey says
thank you, my brain…ugh….It’s simmering now. I should know this, I make pickles all summer from the cucumbers and jalapeños in my garden. Laughing at myself now…
Mike Hultquist says
Haha, oops! I hear you! Enjoy!
Lisa Murphey says
opps…one more question…
I don’t have pickle juice. Could I use pepperoncini (sp?) juice for the brine?
Thankyou, Murphey/Memphis
Mike Hultquist says
Absolutely! That would be GREAT, Lisa!
Lisa Murphey says
Thanks Mike!
Lisa Murphey says
I’m thinking I might make a blue cheese dressing for my potato salad with the Nashville style fried chicken. That would be cooling with the hotness of the chicken. Plenty of celery and green onion…yum…
I don’t put eggs in my potato salad nd don’t put potatoes in my egg salad. ha! Just my preference…
Murphey/Memphis
all my friends are having a spicy good time with your recipes! I share with everyone.
Mike Hultquist says
Sounds great, Lisa! Enjoy!
Lisa Murphey says
Hi Mike!
Labor day weekend, i’m sure you’re busy…answer when available…
Is it ok to finish defrosting in the brine? My thighs haven’t defrosted over night nd I would like to start brining while i make your cajun potato salad. Prepping for Monday cooking.
also, I love your cajun potato salad, but would like a potato salad that is cooling after a bite of Nashville heat. I’m sure slaw would be better, but have no cabbage and am not going to the store. Any recipe ideas for a cooling potato salad?
Best wishes, have a great weekend holiday.
Murphey/Memphis
Mike Hultquist says
Lisa, yes, you can defrost in the brine, no problem. For a "cooling" potato salad, you can use my recipe, but dial back on the Creole spices. Use a bit of paprika, garlic, salt and pepper. I think it will work for you: https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/recipes/potato-salad/
Lisa Murphey says
Oh, ha! I have your Cajun Potato Salad recipe in front of me, but thanks for the link. Ok, dial back on Cajun…
Heck I might just do you blue cheese dressing recipe for the potato salad, with plenty of celery and green onions.
Why not, people dip spicy fried chicken into blue cheese dip all the time.
I’m also boiling my potatoes in Old Bay that another person mention shrimp boil in the cajun potatoes and I added a squeeze of lemon.
okie dokie…Pepperoncini brine for the Nashville Fried Chicken it is and dial back on the cajun for potato salad.
Thank you! Murphey/Memphis
Mike Hultquist says
Boom! That's all going to be AWESOME! Enjoy! Share some pics on social, haha. I'd love to see!
Moriah says
In the words of my brother, “this is spectacular”. We used boneless thighs to make a nice little sandwich and it was great. We didn’t have ghost pepper at our store, but we used only a dab of Dave’s Gourmet Ghost Pepper sauce, and it was SO spicy!
Mike Hultquist says
Haha, yes! Awesomeness! Glad you loved it! Wish I was there to enjoy with you. Thanks, Moriah.
Michael Devlin says
I'm on a bit of a diet is there any way you could do this recipe in an actifry or just in the oven without having to deep fry it first (I know fried chicken tastes great) just wondered if you knew any techniques
Thanks
Mick
Mike Hultquist says
Michael, you can do this in an air fryer, though watch out for the breading/coating, as it can stick to the tray or basket. Could be tough. You could do a baked version, though I would coat the chicken in panko at the end, then bake until cooked through, 30-40 minutes (be sure to watch the time and cook to temp). You can get it crispy/crunchy this way. Then add on a bit of the sauce, which you can make with just a bit of oil. Let me know how it goes for you.
Conrad says
Can I make this in an air fryer? (trying to avoid the heavy oil cooking methods)
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
You sure can, Conrad. Go for it! Let me know how it goes for you. Only issue is the final oil at the end, which you can make separately. Enjoy.
Halima says
I Just made a deep grunting noise at my desk at work... The shame... LOL...
Your photos are just amazing Mike and really make people want to make your recipe's. Ive never experienced Nashville chicken, (being form SA and all), but heck it is on my radar to cook this week. Thank you and kindest
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Haha, thanks, Halima. I love how these photos turned out for sure. Super delicious! I hope you enjoy it.
Jeremie says
I didn't know this recipe, so I had to cook it imediately! I used chicken thighs for it, with smoked Reaper, smoked Ghost Pepper, Ancho, Guajillo and Paprika.
I found it very original and soooo tasty! (even if I don't understand why it tasted like cinnamon when there's none in the recipe...) Once again, Mike: a great thank to you!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Awesome, Jeremie! Now that is one truly EXTRA SPICY version of this recipe. Right up my alley! Glad you enjoyed it. I LOVE this recipe. I've made it so many times, I finally got it on the site.