Nashville Hot Chicken from Kentucky Fried Chicken features tender, juicy fried chicken coated in a fiery, cayenne-spiced batter, topped with pickles and served on a soft bun, delivering a bold and crispy Southern flavor experience.
Equipments
- Deep fryer
- Mixing bowls
- Tongs
- Whisk
- Baking sheet
- Wire rack
- Instant-read thermometer
- Slotted spoon
- Kitchen thermometer (for oil)
- Tray or platter
- Sauce brush
Ingredients
- 2 lbs (900g) chicken thighs or breasts
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 1-2 tablespoons cayenne pepper (for hot oil)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (for hot oil)
- Dill pickle chips
- 4 soft sandwich buns
When preparing Nashville Hot Chicken, ensure you use fresh cayenne pepper and smoked paprika to achieve the bold, fiery flavor characteristic of the dish. Buttermilk tenderizes the chicken, making it juicy and flavorful, so marinate your pieces for at least an hour. Use a kitchen thermometer to maintain the oil temperature around 350degF (175degC) for perfectly crispy, golden chicken. Your choice of chicken thighs or breasts will affect texture; thighs tend to be juicier, while breasts offer a leaner bite. Recreate the iconic Nashville Hot Chicken from Kentucky Fried Chicken at home by carefully balancing the spicy cayenne butter sauce and topping it with crisp dill pickle chips on soft buns.
Instructions
- Preheat oil in deep fryer to 325°F (165°C).
- In a mixing bowl, whisk buttermilk and egg.
- Add chicken to buttermilk mixture; marinate 30–60 minutes.
- In another bowl, mix flour, kosher salt, black pepper, paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
- Dredge marinated chicken in seasoned flour; press to coat well.
- Place coated chicken on a baking sheet with wire rack.
- Fry chicken in batches until golden, crisp, and internal temp reaches 165°F (74°C), about 8–12 minutes.
- Drain fried chicken on wire rack set over a tray.
- In a small bowl, mix melted butter, cayenne pepper, brown sugar, chili powder, and garlic powder (for hot oil).
- Brush hot oil mixture generously over fried chicken.
- Toast sandwich buns if desired.
- Assemble sandwiches: bun, hot chicken, dill pickle chips, top bun.
- Serve immediately.
Substitution
Nashville Hot Chicken from Kentucky Fried Chicken copycat recipes capture the signature spicy, crispy fried chicken with a cayenne-infused batter and a buttery hot oil glaze. You can substitute chicken thighs with breasts for a leaner option, adjusting frying time to ensure even cooking. If buttermilk is unavailable, mix regular milk with a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar as a quick alternative to tenderize the chicken. Use an instant-read thermometer to maintain oil temperature between 325degF to 350degF for optimal crispiness without burning the spices. Pickles and soft buns are essential for the authentic experience, but you can opt for gluten-free buns or serve on lettuce wraps for dietary preferences.
Tips
Ensure the oil temperature is accurately maintained at 325degF (165degC) using a kitchen thermometer to achieve perfectly crispy chicken without overcooking. Your chicken must reach an internal temperature of 165degF (74degC) checked with an instant-read thermometer to guarantee food safety. Press the seasoned flour firmly onto the marinated chicken to create a thick, flavorful crust that holds during frying. Use a wire rack over a tray to drain excess oil, keeping the chicken crispy before applying the spicy butter mixture and assembling your sandwich.
Nutritions
Nashville Hot Chicken from Kentucky Fried Chicken offers a protein-rich meal, primarily from the chicken thighs or breasts which supply essential amino acids. The buttermilk marinade helps tenderize the meat while adding calcium and probiotics. The bold spices like cayenne pepper and paprika contribute antioxidants and capsaicin, which may support metabolic health. Keep in mind your sodium intake, as the seasoned flour and pickles add a significant amount of salt to this flavorful sandwich.
Storage
Store leftover Nashville Hot Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain its bold, crispy texture and spicy flavor. Reheat in an oven preheated to 375degF (190degC) for 10-15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165degF (74degC) to keep the fried coating crispy. Your careful storage and reheating will preserve the tender juiciness and fiery kick characteristic of Kentucky Fried Chicken's signature dish.
Variation or Alternatives
Try substituting chicken thighs with boneless, skinless chicken breasts for a leaner option. You can also experiment by marinating the chicken in buttermilk infused with hot sauce or smoked paprika to intensify the flavor. For an alternate cooking method, bake the coated chicken at 400degF (205degC) for 25-30 minutes instead of deep frying, brushing with the spicy butter mixture halfway through. To adjust the heat level, you may reduce cayenne pepper in the hot oil or replace it with smoked paprika for a milder, smoky taste.
Allergies
Nashville Hot Chicken from Kentucky Fried Chicken may pose allergy risks due to common allergens such as wheat (from the all-purpose flour and sandwich buns), eggs (used in the batter), and dairy (from the buttermilk and melted butter). The spicy seasoning blend contains multiple spices like cayenne pepper and paprika, which can cause irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Your consideration is important if you have allergies to gluten, eggs, dairy, or certain spices when enjoying this bold Southern dish.
Why this recipe?
The Nashville Hot Chicken menu at Kentucky Fried Chicken features a bold, spicy blend of cayenne pepper and seasonings perfectly crisped on KFC's signature fried chicken. Its flavor profile combines intense heat with savory crunch, appealing to those who crave a flavorful yet familiar comfort food experience. You can recreate this popular dish at home to control the spice level and enjoy a fresh, customized version of the iconic Nashville Hot Chicken. Making a copycat allows food enthusiasts to explore this trend without relying solely on restaurant availability.