Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich
A spicy and crispy fried chicken sandwich inspired by Nashville hot chicken, featuring a tender buttermilk-marinated chicken thigh coated with a fiery cayenne pepper batter, fried to golden perfection and served on a soft bun with cooling pickles and a touch of mayonnaise.
Ingredients
Check ingredients as you go.
- Chicken and Marinade
- Batter
- Batter and Hot Oil
- Frying Oil
- Assembly
Let’s make it
Chicken and Marinade
In a large bowl, combine the chicken thighs, buttermilk, and hot sauce. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 12 to 15 minutes.
Batter
In a separate large bowl, mix together all-purpose flour, cornstarch, cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to create the seasoned batter.
Batter
Remove marinated chicken from the fridge. Drain excess buttermilk from the chicken pieces. Dredge each chicken thigh thoroughly in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing the flour onto the surface to coat well. Set the coated chicken on a wire rack.
Frying
Heat vegetable oil in a deep heavy-bottomed pan or deep fryer to 175°C (350°F). Carefully add chicken thighs one or two at a time, frying each piece for about 12-15 minutes until golden brown and an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C) is reached. Remove and drain on paper towels.
Hot Oil Seasoning
In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil with 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper and a pinch of salt to make the hot oil seasoning. Brush this seasoned oil over the fried chicken vigorously to coat and add heat.
Assembly
Lightly toast hamburger buns. Spread mayonnaise on the bottom bun, add 2-3 dill pickle slices, place the spicy fried chicken thigh on top, then cover with the top bun.
Tips & notes
For the best flavor, marinate the chicken for at least 12 minutes but up to 24 hours, covered in the fridge. Adjust cayenne levels in the batter and hot oil to your spice preference. Use a thermometer for safe chicken doneness. Toast buns to prevent sogginess. Serve immediately for crispiest texture.
Saving it for later
Store leftover fried chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator within 2 hours of cooking. Consume within 3 days for best quality. The sandwich is best assembled fresh to retain crispiness.
Reheating
Reheat fried chicken in a preheated oven at 190°C (375°F) for 10-12 minutes, turning once, until heated through and crisp. Avoid microwaving to preserve texture. Reassemble sandwich after reheating with fresh buns and pickles.
