Nashville Hot Chicken

Name: Nashville Hot Chicken
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: North America, Southern
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons dill pickle juice, divided; 2 tablespoons hot pepper sauce, divided; 1 teaspoon salt, divided; 2 pounds chicken tenderloins; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 1 large egg; 1/2 cup buttermilk; Cooking spray; 1/2 cup olive oil; 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper; 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar; 1 teaspoon paprika; 1 teaspoon chili powder; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; Dill pickle slices

Total Time Prep: 30 min. + marinating Cook: 10 min./batch

Yield 6 servings

Contest Winner

Test Kitchen Approved

No plans to travel to Tennessee? Learn how to make Nashville hot chicken in your home kitchen.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons dill pickle juice, divided
2 tablespoons hot pepper sauce, divided
1 teaspoon salt, divided
2 pounds chicken tenderloins
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 large egg
1/2 cup buttermilk
Cooking spray
1/2 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Dill pickle slices

Directions

In a bowl or shallow dish, combine 1 tablespoon pickle juice, 1 tablespoon hot sauce and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add chicken and turn to coat. Refrigerate, covered, at least 1 hour. Drain chicken, discarding any marinade.
Preheat air fryer to 375°. In a shallow bowl, mix flour, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and the pepper. In another shallow bowl, whisk egg, buttermilk, and the remaining 1 tablespoon pickle juice and 1 tablespoon hot sauce. Dip chicken in flour to coat both sides; shake off excess. Dip in egg mixture, then again in flour mixture.
In batches, arrange chicken in a single layer on well-greased tray in air-fryer basket; spritz with cooking spray. Cook until golden brown, 5-6 minutes. Turn; spritz with cooking spray. Cook until golden brown, 5-6 minutes longer.
Whisk together the next 6 ingredients; pour over hot chicken and toss to coat. Serve with pickles.

Nutrition Facts

5 ounces cooked chicken: 419 calories, 21g fat (3g saturated fat), 96mg cholesterol, 367mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 39g protein.

I live in Tennessee and absolutely love our state's famous Nashville hot chicken. To make cooking it easier, I thought I’d try air-frying. I’m so glad I did—this Nashville hot chicken recipe is almost better than the original. —April Lane, Greeneville, Tennessee

Recipe Creator