This KFC Nashville Hot Chicken recipe is known for its unique spicy flavor and crispy texture. This recipe can be made easily and pairs well with many different sides. Whether you're wanting a quick lunch or a filling dinner, add this spicy chicken recipe to your menu.
This copycat KFC's Nashville Hot Chicken recipe stands out from other spicy fried chicken recipes because of the plentiful use of a cayenne pepper-based hot sauce, which perfectly blends heat and flavor. Nashville Hot Chicken is all about the spicy kick and is bound to leave you wanting more.
One of the best parts about this recipe is that you can make your chicken perfect for a quick lunch or a satisfying dinner. You can make chicken sandwiches with zesty slaw and pickles or pair the chicken tenders with your favorite dipping sauce, such as blue cheese dressing or ranch. Additionally, if you have leftovers, you can cut up the chicken and add it to a salad or wrap.
If you enjoy this KFC recipe, be sure to try out Air Fryer KFC Chicken and KFC Popcorn Chicken.
Ingredients for this copycat KFC Nashville Hot Chicken Recipe
Scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the page for the detailed ingredient measurements.
For the Chicken Tenders
- Chicken Tenders: are the main ingredient in this recipe. You can either purchase regular tenders or boneless, skinless chicken breasts and cut them into strips.
- Buttermilk: is used as a marinade to tenderize the chicken and add a tangy flavor. It also helps hold the breading onto the chicken pieces.
- Pickle Brine: adds a delicious vinegary and tangy flavor to the buttermilk mixture.
- Hot Sauce: feel free to use your favorite hot wing sauce or create the easy-to-make Nashville Hot Sauce recipe below.
- Seasonings: add a savory, smoky, and spicy flavor to your tenders. Seasoning your chicken tenders is important to get the perfect flavor.
For the Coating
- All-Purpose Flour: is used as the base for the crispy coating on your chicken. It creates a barrier to keep the outside crispy while keeping the inside moist.
- Cornstarch: is added to the flour mixture to make the chicken tenders even more crispy.
- Seasonings: provide flavor to your flour and cornstarch mixture while also adding to the chicken tenders' crispiness.
- Vegetable Oil: is used to fry your chicken tenders. It has a high smoke point, making it perfect to fry in.
For the Nashville Hot Sauce
- Unsalted Butter: is the main ingredient to keep your hot sauce smooth, while also cutting the heat from the cayenne pepper.
- Cayenne Pepper: is the ingredient responsible for the spiciness of this homemade hot sauce. You’re welcome to adjust the amount based on your personal preference.
- Brown Sugar: balances out the spiciness and adds a touch of sweetness, while also contributing to its creamy texture.
- Seasonings: are added into the hot sauce to provide more flavor and give it more of a smoky taste.
How to Make this KFC Nashville Hot Chicken Recipe
Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card at the end of this post for the full step-by-step instructions.
- Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine the buttermilk, pickle brine, hot sauce, paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and black pepper. Add in the chicken tenders and stir to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to marinate in the fridge for 2 hours at least.
- Prepare the Coating: In a separate bowl, mix the flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, paprika, cayenne powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper.
- Coat the Chicken: Remove the chicken tenders from the marinade and dredge them in the flour mixture, making sure to coat them evenly. Place them on a plate and repeat the process with the rest of the chicken tenders.
- Fry the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large skillet to 350°. Then, Fry the chicken tenders in batches for about 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through and with an internal temperature of 165F. Use a wire rack over a baking sheet to drain excess oil. Place all the fried chicken pieces on that and continue frying the rest of the chicken tenders.
- Make the Nashville Hot Sauce: In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Add cayenne pepper, brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, and salt. Stir until well combined and the sugar is dissolved.
- Toss the Chicken in Nashville Hot Sauce: Once the chicken tenders are cooked and drained, brush or toss them in the Nashville Hot Sauce to coat evenly.
- Serve: Place the Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders on a serving platter. You can serve them with pickles and bread for an authentic touch.
Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ
Can I adjust the spice level of the KFC Nashville Hot Chicken?
Yes! One of the advantages of preparing Nashville Hot Chicken at home is that you can adjust the spiciness level to your preference.
You can add as much or as little to the seasoning mix. If you like your chicken less spicy, simply reduce the amount of cayenne pepper. On the other hand, if you prefer it extra spicy, feel free to add more.
What type of oil is best for frying Nashville Hot Chicken?
To fry Nashville Hot Chicken, use an oil with a high smoke point, like peanut or vegetable oil. These oils can withstand high frying temperatures without changing the flavors of the chicken.
What's the secret to the perfect crispy coating on Nashville Hot Chicken?
To achieve an extra crispy crust, it's important to follow a two-step process of dredging and resting. First, coat the chicken in seasoned flour and cornstarch. Then, let it rest for about 15-20 minutes before frying. This will help the coating stick better to the chicken, resulting in a crispy and flavorful crust.
How do I serve my Nashville Hot Chicken?
There are plenty of ways to serve this chicken. Consider serving it as a sandwich with coleslaw and pickles, which will help balance the heat and add a delicious crunch.
For a more filling meal, pair it with macaroni and cheese or potato salad. You can also make it a chicken basket and add potato wedges or fries and your favorite dipping sauce.
Can I prepare the Nashville Hot Chicken ahead of time?
Nashville Hot Chicken is best enjoyed when it's fresh and hot. However, if you have leftovers, you can still reheat it and make it delicious.
To keep the chicken crispy, avoid using the microwave and use the oven instead. Keep in mind that reheating in general may slightly reduce the crispiness of your chicken.
Can I use this recipe for a large gathering?
Absolutely! Prepare the seasoned chicken in batches, keeping the cooked pieces warm in the oven while frying the rest. This way, everyone can enjoy hot and freshly made Nashville Hot Chicken.
Be sure to set up a DIY Nashville Hot Chicken station with different sides and toppings!
How do I store leftover my Chicken?
It's super easy to store leftovers. Just place them in an airtight container and into the fridge for up to three days. While I don't recommend freezing the chicken if it has hot sauce on it, you can freeze your fried chicken tenders. Just place them in a freezer bag for up to three months.
Using an air fryer to reheat your chicken is the best option to keep the crispiness.
The Best KFC Nashville Hot Chicken Recipe
KFC Nashville Hot Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
For the Chicken Tenders:
- 1.5 lbs chicken tenders
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup pickle brine
- 3 tablespoons hot sauce
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 & 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
For the Coating
- 1 & 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 & 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 & 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 & 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 & 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper adjust to taste
- Vegetable oil for frying
For the Nashville Hot Sauce:
- 2/3 cup unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
- 3 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine the butter milk, pickle brine, hot sauce, paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and black pepper. Add in the chicken tenders and stir to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour.1.5 lbs chicken tenders, 1 cup buttermilk, 1/2 cup pickle brine, 3 tablespoons hot sauce, 2 teaspoons paprika, 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 & 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- In a separate bowl, mix the flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, paprika, cayenne powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper.1 & 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 3 tablespoons cornstarch, 1 & 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 & 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1 & 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 & 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Remote the chicken tenders from the marinade and dredge them in the flour mixture making sure to coat them evenly. Place them on a plate and repeat the process with the rest of the chicken tenders. Allow the chicken tenders to rest while your oil is heating up.
- Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large skillet to 350° then Fry the chicken tenders in batches for about 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through with an internal temperature of 165F.Vegetable oil
- Use a wire rack over a baking sheet to drain excess oil. Place all the fried chicken pieces on that and continue frying the rest of the chicken tenders.
Make the Nashville Hot Sauce:
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Add cayenne pepper, brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, and salt. Stir until well combined and the sugar is dissolved.2/3 cup unsalted butter, 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper, 3 tablespoon brown sugar, 2 teaspoon paprika, 2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Once the chicken tenders are cooked and drained, brush or toss them in the Nashville Hot Sauce to coat evenly.
- Place the Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders on a serving platter. You can serve them with pickles and bread for an authentic touch.
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