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Nashville Hot Chicken Recipe

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 Nashville Hot Chicken Recipe: The ultimate ode to Nashville Hot Chicken. Spicy and crispy fried chicken gets an extra coating of hot oil taking it over the top.  This tastes just as delicious as the original ones in Nashville restaurants.

Nashville Hot Chicken Recipe | Grandbaby Cakes

When I first wrote this post, I had never had Nashville Hot Chicken but that has truly changed in the past years.  I have tried everything from Prince’s Hot Chicken to Hattie B’s, so I feel pretty comfortable saying that this Nashville Hot Chicken recipe is awesome.

This seriously tastes like the real thing, and it is beyond addictive y’all.  Just warning you upfront!

Nashville Hot Chicken Recipe | Grandbaby Cakes

This Nashville Hot Chicken recipe all started a couple of weeks ago when I had the insane pleasure of having breakfast with one of my role models Carla Hall, Top Chef alum and co-host of the hit daytime ABC food show, The Chew.

Nashville Hot Chicken- Carla Hall | Grandbaby Cakes

I read the week before that she was opening a restaurant in New York called Carla Hall’s Southern Kitchen that featured this chicken.  Carla is not only one of the sweetest and kindest people on the planet, but she deeply understands the emotion tied to food.  Carla puts her heart and soul into each of her dishes and doesn’t try to create meals that don’t fit who she is.  On top of being a Nashville native, she knows a thing or two about Southern comfort food.

Nashville Hot Chicken Recipe | Grandbaby Cakes

I definitely wanted to support her endeavor to make her restaurant dream a reality, and you can help too!  Check out her Kickstarter and give to make this epic restaurant the place I will go to without fail every single time I land in New York.  The menu, filled with mac and cheese and southern greens, looks insanely delicious!  I know this will be a project that will not only yield decadent results but will touch your soul, and that’s who Carla truly is.

Nashville Hot Chicken Recipe | Grandbaby Cakes

Now on to this chicken.  I stuck pretty close to my original fried chicken recipe for seasoning but added some spice additions based on what I read is traditional for the recipe.  This recipe has all of that original kick.

I start with a super crunchy crust which comes from a double dredge of the seasoned flour and the hot sauce laced buttermilk.  Those two items really create a breading that is unforgettable.  Then you have that amazing spiced oil that gets so much flavor from paprika, cayenne and a hint of brown sugar.  This is the magic of Nashville Hot Chicken, and you can bet it tastes unforgettable in this Nashville Hot Chicken recipe.

I’m not sure how authentic this is but it sure did taste amazing.  I can’t wait to sample the real thing, especially at Carla’s new restaurant!

Find more Fried Chicken recipes HERE

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5 from 4 votes
Nashville Hot Chicken Recipe | Grandbaby Cakes
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Nashville Hot Chicken
Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
1 hr
 
The ultimate ode to Nashville Hot Chicken. This tastes just as delicious as the original ones in Nashville restaurants.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Southern
Keyword: classic recipes, comfort food, southern recipes
Servings: 10 pieces
Calories: 171 kcal
Author: Jocelyn Delk Adams of Grandbaby-Cakes.com
Ingredients
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 1/3 cup hot sauce
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 3 tablespoons seasoned salt
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
  • 2 teaspoons black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 10 pieces chicken
  • Vegetable oil for frying
  • 1/3 cup cayenne pepper
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • White bread and sliced pickles for serving
Instructions
  1. In a medium sized bowl, whisk together buttermilk and hot sauce and set aside.
  2. Next add flour, cornstarch, seasoned salt, paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper, garlic powder and onion powder to a paper bag and shake to mix well.
  3. Dip each piece of chicken into seasoned flour and then into buttermilk then back into seasoned flour thoroughly coating each piece. Then add each piece to baking sheet to rest.
  4. Finish coating all chicken and let sit for 15-20 minutes until coating has set.
  5. While coating sets, add 2 - 2 1/2 inches of oil to a cast iron skillet or heavy bottom skillet and heat over medium high heat. Also turn on oven to 275 degrees.
  6. This is my test for knowing when the oil is ready: Big Mama always tossed a tiny bit of flour in the oil and if it began to fry and sizzle, the oil was ready.
  7. Fry four pieces at a time on each side. Make sure you don’t overcrowd the pan.
  8. After each side has turned slightly golden, put the top on the skillet to steam the inside of the chicken ensuring doneness. After a couple of minutes, remove the top and continue to fry until the crust is crispy again and completely golden brown.
  9. Remove chicken from oil and place on paper towels or rack to drain. Place chicken on a baking sheet covered with parchment and add to warmed oven while finishing the other chicken pieces.
  10. Fry the remaining chicken pieces and drain and add to oven. Add the remaining chicken to the oven.
  11. While chicken is in oven, whisk together 1 cup of the frying oil, cayenne pepper, brown sugar, chili powder, garlic powder and smoked paprika until combined.
  12. Brush mixture over completed chicken.
  13. To serve, place hot chicken over white bread and serve with pickles on toothpicks.

Recipe Video

Nutrition Facts
Nashville Hot Chicken
Amount Per Serving
Calories 171 Calories from Fat 18
% Daily Value*
Fat 2g3%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Cholesterol 6mg2%
Sodium 2361mg103%
Potassium 158mg5%
Carbohydrates 32g11%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 5g10%
Vitamin A 760IU15%
Vitamin C 6.4mg8%
Calcium 69mg7%
Iron 1.8mg10%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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Comments

  2. Kathy says

    August 9, 2018 at 5:49 am

    With NASHVILLE HOT CHICKEN recipe can boneless/skinless tenders & thighs be used – this looks MOUTHWATERING!

    Reply

  8. Ed says

    October 22, 2014 at 2:44 pm

    Hello, I just enjoy your site so much. I was just wanting to know If
    I can oven fry this recipe at high temperature? I’m not the best
    at frying chicken. It seems to always turn out bad. I know it may
    not be as good as oil frying. I thank you for your time. Ed

    Reply

  14. Monica says

    October 10, 2014 at 4:34 pm

    I DVR The Chew and watch it at night! What fun to have breakfast with Carla Hall. I’ve seen Nashville hot chicken on TV but never had the pleasure to try it. Yours looks super delicious (and I’m sure, Carla’s will be)!

    Reply

  19. marcie says

    October 10, 2014 at 12:49 pm

    I loved watching Carla on Top Chef — she was my favorite! What an amazing experience to meet her. 🙂 This chicken has some seriously beautiful, crispy skin! I’ve never had Nashville hot chicken, and now I’m dying to try it!

    Reply

  23. Alice // Hip Foodie Mom says

    October 10, 2014 at 11:45 am

    We all need to go to NYC when this restaurant opens!! I love Carla Hall and love that she understands the emotion tied to food. That’s what it is all about, yo. LOVE your Nashville Hot Chicken and I’m still so thrilled that you got to meet her!! See you soon, boo!

    Reply

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