Spicy Nashville Chicken Sandwich Recipe
This Spicy Nashville Chicken Sandwich features tender, juicy chicken thighs marinated in buttermilk and deep-fried with a spicy, flavorful coating. The chicken is glazed with a hot oil mixture seasoned with garlic and onion powder, then assembled on soft potato or brioche buns with crisp dill pickles for the perfect balance of heat, crunch, and creaminess. A classic Southern-inspired sandwich that’s bold, spicy, and deliciously satisfying.
- Prep Time: 4 hours
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 sandwiches
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Southern American
Ingredients
Chicken and Marinade
- 4 chicken thighs, trimmed
- 2 cups buttermilk
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Coating
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, heavily seasoned
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
Glaze and Assembly
- 1 cup reserved frying oil
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 8 slices dill pickles
- 4 potato buns or brioche buns
- Mayonnaise, for spreading
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: Soak the trimmed chicken thighs in buttermilk along with salt and pepper for at least 4 hours or overnight. This tenderizes the meat and infuses flavor.
- Prepare the Coating: In a shallow dish, mix the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, and brown sugar to create a heavily seasoned dredge.
- Coat the Chicken: Remove the chicken thighs from the buttermilk and thoroughly coat each piece in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing the coating onto the chicken to ensure it sticks well.
- Heat the Oil: Heat vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or deep fryer to 325°F (160°C), making sure there’s enough oil to completely submerge the chicken.
- Fry the Chicken: Fry the coated chicken pieces in batches for 6-8 minutes until they are golden brown and cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Drain on a wire rack or paper towels.
- Make the Hot Oil Glaze: Combine the reserved frying oil with garlic powder and onion powder, stirring well to infuse the oil with savory flavor.
- Glaze the Chicken: Immediately brush the hot oil glaze over the fried chicken pieces to add extra heat and flavor.
- Assemble the Sandwich: Spread mayonnaise on the cut sides of the potato or brioche buns, add the glazed chicken thighs, top with dill pickle slices, and place the bun tops over to complete the sandwich.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken overnight enhances tenderness and flavor significantly.
- Adjust cayenne pepper amount for desired spice level.
- Use a thermometer to maintain oil temperature for perfectly crispy chicken.
- Let the chicken rest briefly after frying to retain juiciness.
- Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Find it online: https://mealoria.com/spicy-nashville-chicken-sandwich-recipe/
