This Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich delivers a perfect balance of spicy heat and crispy crunch, wrapped in a fluffy brioche bun. The chicken is golden brown, perfectly fried, and coated in a fiery hot sauce that makes every bite unforgettable.
For those who love bold flavors, this dish is a must-try. The heat from the cayenne pepper and paprika is tamed just slightly by the cool and creamy mayonnaise and tangy pickle slices. It’s an ideal meal for spice lovers, and with a side of crispy fries, you’ll be in comfort food heaven. Whether for a family dinner or a casual get-together, this sandwich is sure to steal the show.
Full recipe:
Ingredients:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 ½ cups vegetable oil for frying
- 4 brioche buns
- 4 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 4 tablespoons pickle slices
Directions:
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In a bowl, whisk together buttermilk and hot sauce. Add chicken breasts to the mixture and marinate for at least 2 hours (or overnight).
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In a separate bowl, combine flour, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika.
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Heat oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. While the oil is heating, dredge the marinated chicken breasts in the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring they are fully coated.
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Fry the chicken breasts in the hot oil for 4-5 minutes on each side or until golden brown and cooked through.
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Remove the chicken from the oil and set aside to drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
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To assemble the sandwich, spread mayonnaise on both sides of the brioche buns. Place a fried chicken breast on the bottom half of each bun.
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Top with pickle slices and the top half of the bun. Serve hot and enjoy!
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes | Kcal: 450 kcal | Servings: 4
Brining and Dredging: The Secret to Perfect Chicken
One of the key elements to achieving the ideal Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich is the brine. The chicken is soaked in a mixture of buttermilk, hot sauce, and seasonings. The acid in the buttermilk helps to tenderize the chicken, while the cayenne pepper and paprika start to infuse the chicken with that signature heat. Ideally, the chicken should be marinated for several hours or overnight, allowing the flavors to penetrate deeply into the meat.
The dredging process is also crucial in creating the perfect crispy coating. After the chicken is removed from the brine, it’s dipped in a flour mixture that includes cornstarch and baking powder. This double dredging technique ensures that the coating remains light, crispy, and firm enough to hold up to the hot sauce bath. The cornstarch gives the coating a delicate crunch, while the baking powder helps it puff slightly, creating a light and airy texture. This crispy exterior is what makes each bite of the sandwich so satisfying, providing a delightful contrast to the juicy chicken inside.
Frying the Chicken to Perfection
Frying the chicken correctly is essential to getting that perfect texture. The chicken needs to cook until it is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 175°F (80°C). However, frying can be tricky, as the oil temperature can fluctuate, which might affect the outcome of the coating and the meat’s texture. For optimal results, the oil should be kept at a constant temperature of 350°F (175°C). This ensures the chicken is cooked thoroughly while maintaining the crispiness of the coating.
Resting the chicken on a wire rack before frying helps the flour coating adhere better, ensuring it doesn’t fall off during the cooking process. The chicken should fry for about 8 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the coating is deep golden brown. Once fried, the chicken is placed on a paper towel-lined rack to drain excess oil before being transferred to the oven to stay warm.
The Fiery Hot Sauce: Making It Just Right
The hallmark of a Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich is the sauce. Made from a combination of hot frying oil, butter, cayenne pepper, paprika, and other spices, the sauce is the true source of the sandwich’s fiery kick. The oil used to fry the chicken adds a depth of flavor and richness to the sauce, while the cayenne pepper delivers the heat. The brown sugar balances out the spiciness with a hint of sweetness, ensuring that the sauce is flavorful and not just fiery.
This sauce is generously brushed over the fried chicken while it’s still hot, allowing it to soak into the crispy coating. For those who prefer an extra fiery experience, the amount of cayenne can be adjusted to taste. The hot sauce is meant to coat the chicken entirely, giving it that signature spicy, red hue and making every bite an adventure.
Assembling the Sandwich: A Simple Yet Perfect Presentation
While the Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich is all about the bold flavors, the assembly is relatively simple. Start with a soft brioche bun, which has a slight sweetness that complements the spicy chicken. Spread a generous amount of mayonnaise on the bottom half of the bun – this creamy condiment helps to mellow out the heat from the hot sauce and adds a rich texture to the sandwich. Then, layer in the crispy fried chicken, followed by a few pickle slices for a tangy crunch.
The sandwich is completed with the top bun, and the result is a beautifully balanced dish that’s spicy, crispy, creamy, and savory all at once. Despite the richness of the fried chicken and hot sauce, the brioche bun ensures that the sandwich is not too heavy, making it an ideal handheld meal. For those who love a bit of extra heat, more hot sauce can be served on the side for dipping.
Conclusion: A Must-Try for Spice Lovers
The Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich is more than just a meal; it’s an experience. The combination of perfectly fried chicken, spicy hot sauce, creamy mayonnaise, and tangy pickles creates a mouthwatering sandwich that delivers on flavor, texture, and heat. Whether you’re a Nashville native or a newcomer to the world of hot chicken, this sandwich is a must-try for anyone who loves bold flavors.
From the brining process to the double dredging technique and the fiery hot sauce, every step of this recipe ensures that you end up with a chicken sandwich that’s crispy, juicy, and packed with flavor. It’s the kind of dish that not only satisfies your hunger but also gives you a bit of a thrill with every bite. Serve it up at your next gathering, or make it a weekend indulgence – this sandwich is sure to become a favorite in your recipe repertoire.
If you’re ready to embrace the heat and take your fried chicken game to the next level, the Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich will not disappoint. The journey to perfecting this dish may take some time, but the reward is definitely worth the effort.