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Nashville Hot Chicken

Recreate the iconic Nashville Hot Chicken with this flavorful and spicy recipe featuring tender, crispy chicken paired with cooling pickles and hearty bread.
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Prep Time 2 hours
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 25 minutes
Servings: 4 pieces
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Southern
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 2 lbs chicken pieces (legs or breasts)
  • 1 cup buttermilk for marinating
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour for dredging
  • 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper adjust spice level as needed
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
  • Cooking oil for frying Cooking oil for frying enough to submerge chicken halfway
  • 4 tablespoons hot chicken seasoning can be homemade or store-bought
For Serving
  • Pickles for serving
  • White bread for serving

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Marinate the chicken in buttermilk for at least 2 hours or overnight.
  2. In a bowl, mix together the flour, cayenne, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
  3. Heat oil in a deep skillet over medium heat until hot.
Cooking
  1. Dredge the marinated chicken in the flour mixture, shaking off excess.
  2. Fry the chicken pieces until golden brown and cooked through, about 15-18 minutes.
  3. In a small bowl, mix the hot chicken seasoning with some of the frying oil to create a spicy paste.
  4. Brush the hot paste onto the fried chicken, generously coating each piece.
Serving
  1. Serve on white bread with pickles.

Notes

Adjust the spice level to your taste, try different cuts of chicken for variety, and consider oven-frying for a lighter version.