Description

These Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches feature crispy, spicy fried chicken breasts coated in a flavorful hot sauce glaze, served on buttered toasted buns with creamy coleslaw and tangy pickles. This classic Southern-style sandwich offers a perfect balance of heat, crunch, and refreshment in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Marinade

2 medium chicken breasts
½ cup buttermilk
1 tablespoon hot sauce

Dredging Mixture

½ cup all-purpose flour
½ cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper

For Frying and Sauce

Frying oil (vegetable or peanut oil), enough for deep frying
1 tablespoon brown sugar
Additional cayenne pepper (1 teaspoon)
Additional garlic powder (½ teaspoon)
Additional salt (to taste)

Assembly

4 burger buns, buttered and toasted
Coleslaw, for topping (about 1 cup)
Pickles, for topping (sliced, about ¼ cup)
Mayonnaise, for spreading (optional, about 4 tablespoons)

Instructions

Prepare the chicken: Slice each medium chicken breast horizontally to create thinner cutlets. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper to taste.
Mix marinades: In one bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and hot sauce until blended. In another bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper thoroughly.
Dredge the chicken: Coat each chicken piece first in the flour mixture, then dip into the buttermilk-hot sauce mixture, and finally coat again with the flour mixture to create a thick crust for frying.
Heat oil and fry: Preheat frying oil in a deep pan or skillet to 350°F (175°C). Carefully fry the coated chicken pieces for about 3 minutes per side until they turn golden brown and crispy. Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
Prepare hot oil glaze: While chicken fries, heat a small amount of the frying oil in a separate pan and mix in brown sugar, cayenne, garlic powder, and salt to create a spicy-sweet hot oil sauce. Once chicken is fried, baste or brush this glaze generously over each piece to infuse the signature Nashville flavor.
Assemble the sandwiches: Toast the buttered burger buns until golden. Spread mayonnaise on the bottom halves if desired, then place the hot, glazed fried chicken on top. Add a layer of creamy coleslaw and finish with pickles before covering with the top bun. Serve immediately.

Notes

For extra spice, adjust cayenne pepper amounts to taste in both the dredging mixture and hot oil glaze.
Buttermilk can be substituted with milk plus 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice to create a quick homemade version.
Use a thermometer to ensure frying oil stays at a consistent 350°F for optimal crispiness.
Coleslaw and pickles add refreshing contrast to the spicy chicken; feel free to swap or omit based on preference.
Leftover sandwiches can be reheated in an air fryer or oven to maintain crispiness but are best eaten fresh.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Sandwiches
Method: Frying
Cuisine: Southern American

Keywords: Nashville hot chicken, spicy fried chicken sandwich, Southern chicken sandwich, hot chicken recipe, comfort food, crispy chicken, spicy sandwich