Description

Nashville Hot Chicken Sliders are a flavorful and spicy appetizer featuring crispy fried chicken strips coated in a spicy hot sauce, served on soft slider buns with optional dill pickles. Perfectly balancing heat, crunch, and tanginess, these sliders are ideal for parties, casual dinners, or snack time, offering a convenient, bite-sized version of traditional Nashville Hot Chicken.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Marinade

1 lb chicken breast, sliced into strips
1 cup buttermilk

Dredging Mixture

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking and Assembly

Vegetable oil for frying
6 slider buns
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 tablespoons Nashville hot chicken sauce
Dill pickle slices (optional)

Instructions

Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken strips in a bowl and pour the buttermilk over them. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to tenderize and flavor the chicken.
Prepare the Dredging Mix: In a large bowl, combine the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well to evenly distribute the spices.
Heat the Oil: Pour enough vegetable oil into a frying pan to cover the chicken halfway and heat over medium heat to about 350°F (175°C).
Dredge and Fry the Chicken: Remove chicken strips from buttermilk and dredge thoroughly in the flour mixture. For extra crispiness, optionally dip back into buttermilk and dredge again. Fry the chicken strips in hot oil for about 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through.
Make Spicy Coating: While frying, mix the melted butter with the Nashville hot chicken sauce to create a flavorful spicy coating.
Coat the Fried Chicken: Once cooked, drain the chicken strips on paper towels, then toss or brush each piece with the hot sauce mixture for that signature Nashville heat.
Toast the Slider Buns: Lightly toast the slider buns in a skillet or oven, optionally brushing with a little butter for added flavor and to prevent sogginess.
Assemble the Sliders: Place one piece of the coated fried chicken onto each bun. Add dill pickle slices if desired for tangy crunch.
Serve: Serve the sliders hot, accompanied by your choice of sides such as fries or coleslaw for a complete meal.

Notes

Marinating chicken in buttermilk tenderizes and adds flavor.
Use an oil suitable for high-heat frying, like vegetable or peanut oil.
Frying temperature should be around 350°F (175°C) for a crispy crust without burning.
Double dredging (flour-buttermilk-flour) increases crispiness.
Adjust cayenne pepper amount for desired spice level.
Toasted buns prevent sogginess and add flavor.
Pickles provide a tangy contrast to the spicy chicken.
For a vegetarian twist, substitute chicken with fried cauliflower or plant-based patties.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Frying
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Nashville Hot Chicken, Sliders, Fried Chicken, Spicy Chicken, Appetizers, Party Food