If you’re a fan of spicy flavors, you’re in for a treat with our Nashville hot chicken sandwich! Straight from the heart of Nashville, this delicious sandwich is a true Southern classic that’s sure to satisfy your craving for something crispy and hot. What makes this sandwich really amazing is its simplicity. With just the right amount of sweet and spicy chicken paired with a few crunchy pickles, fresh lettuce, and a bit of creamy mayonnaise, it’s a flavor explosion in every bite! Plus, we believe in using all-natural ingredients to keep things fresh and tasty. When you make this Nashville hot chicken sandwich at home, you have total control over what goes in it, and you can prepare some amazing spicy goodness right in your own kitchen!
Optimal Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich Ingredient Choices
Homemade Buns
One of the best parts about making all sandwiches at home is the chance to enjoy soft, fresh homemade buns. A good bun can take a decent sandwich to a higher level of greatness. That is exactly what these buns will do.
Homemade mayonnaise
Another homemade ingredient that I swear by is homemade mayonnaise. It is literally one of the easiest things to make and takes less than five minutes. Plus, it is fascinating to see how fast it can be whipped up in a jar with just an immersion blender.
Organic Chicken
Choosing organic chicken is a smart choice! This is important because it reduces the risk of exposure to toxic chemicals and pesticides. In order for chicken to be labeled as organic, there are many requirements. First, the chickens cannot ever be given antibiotics or growth hormones. Additionally, they must be fed non-GMO, organic food while they are being raised. Finally, they cannot be cooped up in a large building, they must be raised outdoors. Not only does organic chicken give you the safest meat, but it also supports sustainable farmers and it is environementally friendly.
Baking powder
Did you know that many baking powders contain aluminum? By choosing an aluminum free baking powder, you reduce the risk of aluminum accumulating in your body. Excess aluminum can be linked to neurological disorders, kidney disease, heart problems, and digestive problems. Additionally, aluminum free baking powder has a neutral flavor. I love using Bob’s Red Mill baking powder. It is one of the many choices available for baking powder without aluminum.
Avocado oil/bacon grease/lard
When it comes to frying your chicken, avocado oil, bacon grease, and lard are fantastic choices! They all have high smoke points, making them perfect for frying. While avocado oil can be a bit on the pricey side, you can save bacon grease from your cooking—it’s like a little bonus! And lard is both affordable and effective.
Preparation, Servings, and Storage
Getting these sandwiches ready is a bit messy but oh-so-worth it! With those fresh buns ready, you can marinate, bread, and fry the chicken in under an hour. This recipe makes four scrumptious sandwiches—perfect for a family that loves a little spice! And if you happen to have any leftover chicken, just pop it in an airtight container in the fridge where it’ll stay good for up to four days.
If you Love Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches, Try:
Spicy Chicken Salad Sandwiches
Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich
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Equipment
- 4 Small mixing bowls
- Tongs
Ingredients
Milk Marinade
- 2 Chicken breasts, pounded 1inch thick
- 1 cup Milk
- 2 tsp Franks hot sauce
Breading Ingredients
- 1 cup Flour
- 1 tsp Sea salt
- 1 tsp Black pepper
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 tsp Onion powder
- 1 tsp Smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp Cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp Baking powder
- 1 Egg, beaten
- 2 cups Avocado oil, bacon grease, or lard
Nashville hot sauce
- 2 tbsp Cayenne pepper
- 1 tbsp Brown sugar
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 tsp Smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp Sea salt
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper
- 1/2 cup Hot oil (use the frying oil)
Sandwich ingredients
- 4 Buns
- 4 tbsp mayonnaise
- 12 pickle slices
- 4 Romaine lettuce leaves
Instructions
- Pound the chicken breasts to 1 inch thick and cut in half.
- Fill a bowl with milk, Franks and chicken breasts. Allow the chicken to soak while preparing the rest of the ingredients.
- In a separate bowl, combine1 cup Flour1 tsp Baking powder1/2 tsp Cayenne pepper1 tsp Smoked paprika1 tsp Onion powder1 tsp Garlic powder1 tsp Sea salt1 tsp Black pepper
- Beat one egg in a separate bowl.
- Heat the oil in a large dutch oven over medium to medium high heat. Monitor the temperature of the oil. It should remain between 365-375℉.
- Take one chicken out of the milk mixture and place it in the flour mixture. Coat all of the chicken with flour.
- Dip the chicken in to the egg mixture and back into the flour mixture again.
- Gently drop the chicken into the hot oil and continue with the remaining 3 chicken pieces.
- Fry the chicken for 8-10 minutes per side, or until the breading is crispy and the internal temperature of the chicken is 165℉.
- Remove the chicken to a cooling rack with paper towel underneath to catch the hot oil.
- In a clean bowl, combine 1 tbsp Brown sugar2 tbsp Cayenne pepper1 tsp Garlic powder1 tsp Smoked paprika1/2 tsp Sea salt1/2 tsp Black pepper
- Carefully scoop 1/2 cup of the fryer oil from the dutch oven and pour it into the bowl that the hot sauce seasonings are in and mix with a spoon to combine.
- Allow to cool slightly, then brush the hot sauce all over the fried chicken, turning with a tongs to brush the other side.
- Spread mayonnaise onto each bun.
- Lay one lettuce leaf, the breaded chicken, the pickles, and the top bun onto the sandwich.
- Serve immediately.
Nutrition
