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Chef John’s Nashville Hot Chicken (Ultra-Crispy & Fiery)

Chef John’s Nashville Hot Chicken

Chef John’s Nashville hot chicken is ultra-crispy, fiery, and coated in a cayenne-spiked butter sauce. This Southern classic delivers serious heat balanced with rich flavor. Serve on white bread with pickles for the authentic experience.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 16 minutes
2 hours 24 minutes
Total Time 3 hours
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Regional American (Nashville), Southern
Calories: 1115
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • Chicken:
  • 1 whole chicken cut into 8 pieces
  • Marinade:
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • ¼ cup pickle brine
  • 2 tbsp Louisiana-style hot sauce
  • 1 large egg
  • Flour Coating:
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp fine salt
  • Hot Sauce:
  • ¼ cup butter
  • ¼ cup lard
  • 2 tbsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp kosher salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • Vegetable oil for frying

Method
 

  1. Marinate chicken in buttermilk mixture for 2–4 hours.
  2. Dredge chicken in flour, dip back into marinade, then dredge again.
  3. Let coated chicken rest for 15 minutes.
  4. Prepare hot sauce by melting butter and lard with spices.
  5. Fry chicken at 325–350°F until internal temperature reaches 160°F.
  6. Drain and brush generously with hot sauce.