Description
This Nashville-style hot chicken sandwich features crispy, golden-fried chicken coated in a spicy cayenne-infused oil, creating the perfect balance of heat and crunch. Served on a toasted brioche bun with creamy coleslaw, mayo, and bread and butter pickles, this sandwich delivers bold Southern flavors in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken
- 2 medium chicken breasts, sliced into 4 cutlets
- Oil for frying (vegetable, peanut, or canola)
For the Breading
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 tbsp vinegar-based hot sauce
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
For the Hot Oil Dipping Sauce
- 1/2 cup frying oil (from the chicken)
- 2 tsp light brown sugar
- 2 tsp cayenne powder
- 1/4 tsp chili powder
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
For the Sandwich Assembly
- 4 brioche burger buns, buttered and toasted
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- Bread and butter pickle chips
- Coleslaw
Instructions
Step 1: Brine the Chicken (Optional but Recommended)
- Place chicken cutlets in a glass bowl, season with salt and black pepper, and cover with plastic wrap.
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Step 2: Bread the Chicken
- In a shallow bowl, mix flour, salt, and pepper.
- In a second bowl, whisk together buttermilk and hot sauce.
- Add 1 tbsp of the buttermilk mixture to the flour and mix with hands to create crumbs.
- Dredge chicken in flour mixture, then dip into buttermilk, and coat again in flour. Shake off excess.
Step 3: Fry the Chicken
- Heat 1-2 inches of oil in a Dutch oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry 2 pieces at a time for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden and crispy.
- Check for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), then transfer to a cooling rack in the oven to stay warm.
Step 4: Make the Nashville Hot Sauce
- In a small bowl, mix cayenne, brown sugar, chili powder, paprika, and garlic powder.
- Carefully ladle ½ cup of the hot frying oil over the spices and mix well.
- Baste the hot chicken with the spicy oil while it’s still warm.
Step 5: Assemble the Sandwich
- Spread mayonnaise on toasted buns.
- Add fried chicken, coleslaw, and pickle chips.
Notes
- For Extra Heat – Increase the cayenne powder in the hot oil.
- For a Milder Version – Reduce cayenne or skip basting with hot oil.
- Make It Healthier – Try air frying at 400°F for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 720
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 1250mg
- Fat: 42g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 27g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 105mg