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–+ servings

Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich

The hot chicken craze is taking over the food scene like wildfire but let me tell you, the best Nashville chicken you can get is the one you make at home and even better! From the crispy flakey fried chicken to the creamy coleslaw and tangy sauce, this sandwich is built to perfection in the flavor AND texture department. Now let’s dive into the secret formula for Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches!
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 30 minutes
Yields4 to 6 sandwiches
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Servings4 to 6 sandwiches

Ingredients

CHICKEN

  • 2 large chicken breasts, about 1.5 pounds
  • peanut or vegetable oil, for frying

DRY

  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons dry mustard powder
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

WET

  • 3/4 cup buttermilk
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tablespoons vinegar-based hot sauce
  • 1/4 cup pickle juice
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

SPICY OIL

  • 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons cayenne powder, add more to taste
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt, more to taste
  • 3/4 cup frying oil

COLESLAW

  • 3 cups coleslaw blend or 2 cups shredded green cabbage, 1/2 cup purple cabbage, 1/2 cup shredded carrots
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 to 1 tablespoon yellow mustard, adjust to taste
  • salt, to taste
  • black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar
  • 1/2 to 1 tablespoon granulated white sugar

SAUCE

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

OTHER

  • 4 brioche buns
  • unsalted butter, for toasting buns
  • pickles

Instructions 

MAKE THE COLESLAW

  1. To a large bowl, add the cabbage blend, mayo, mustard, salt, black pepper, lemon juice, and sugar.
  2. Mix together well until everything is evenly combined.
  3. Cover and transfer to the fridge until the end.

MAKE THE SAUCE

  1. In a small bowl, combine mayo with ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, and garlic powder.
  2. Mix together until creamy and it turns a light pink-orangeish color. Set aside.

CHICKEN

  1. Cut the breasts in half if they are too thick. Then cut the breasts into individual filets, about the same size as your buns.
  2. Pat the chicken dry very well with a paper towel.

DRY

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, mustard powder, black pepper, and baking powder. Set aside.

WET

  1. In a deep bowl, whisk together buttermilk, egg, hot sauce, pickle juice, and baking powder.
  2. Add 3 to 4 tablespoons of the wet batter into the dry and mix around to create a flaky texture. Set aside.

BREADING AND FRYING

  1. Dip each filet first in the dry, then into the wet, then back into the dry - using one hand for the wet only and one hand for dry only. Make sure to let any excess fall off before dipping into the next.
  2. Once all the filets are breaded, allow to rest for 10 to 15 minutes before frying.
  3. Heat oil to about 350°F in a frying pan, about 1.5 to 2 inches high.
  4. Drop the filets in, making sure not to overcrowd them. Fry in 2 to 3 batches. Fry until golden brown all around, about 7-8 minutes, making sure to flip over halfway.
  5. Transfer to a paper towel to drain any excess oil.
  6. Reserve 3/4 cup of the frying oil in a cup.

SPICY OIL

  1. In a deep wide bowl, add the frying oil along with brown sugar, chili powder, cayenne, dry mustard, garlic powder, and salt. Mix together well.
  2. Dunk each filet in the spicy oil and transfer to a plate.

ASSEMBLY

  1. Butter the buns and toast them in a pan over medium heat or in the oven at 350°F for 5 to 6 minutes.
  2. Assemble the toasted buns with the sauce, fried chicken, coleslaw, and pickles. Close up and enjoy warm!

Did You Make This Recipe?

If you make this recipe, leave a comment below and let me know how it turns out. I love hearing from you!