nashville hot chicken recipe

This dish features crispy fried chicken, coated in a fiery, flavorful hot sauce that’s a hallmark of Nashville's famous hot chicken.

Ingredients:
Chicken:
4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
4 bone-in, skin-on chicken drumsticks
2 cups buttermilk
1 large egg
1 tbsp hot sauce (optional)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tbsp cornstarch
1 tbsp paprika
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
Salt and black pepper (to taste)
Vegetable oil (for frying)
Nashville Hot Sauce:
1/2 cup hot frying oil (from the chicken)
3 tbsp cayenne pepper
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp hot sauce (optional for extra heat)
Directions:
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
In a large bowl, whisk together buttermilk, egg, and 1 tbsp of hot sauce (optional).
Add chicken pieces and marinate for at least 2 hours, or overnight in the refrigerator for best results.
Step 2: Prepare the Coating
In a separate large bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
Remove chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off, then dredge in the flour mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated. Let the chicken rest on a wire rack for 15 minutes.
Step 3: Fry the Chicken
Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven to 350°F (175°C).
Fry the chicken in batches, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C), about 12-15 minutes per batch.
Transfer the fried chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil, reserving 1/2 cup of the frying oil for the sauce.
Step 4: Make the Nashville Hot Sauce
In a medium bowl, carefully whisk together the reserved frying oil, cayenne pepper, brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and optional hot sauce.
Brush the hot sauce generously over the fried chicken pieces.
Step 5: Serve
Serve the Nashville hot chicken immediately, ideally with white bread and pickles on the side to balance the heat.