Dinner

Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches Recipe

ByMarina Montclair November 8, 2025November 8, 2025

Introduction

Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches deliver a perfect balance of spicy heat and crispy crunch. This Southern classic is juicy, flavorful, and topped with cool coleslaw and tangy pickles for a mouthwatering experience. Ready in under an hour, it’s a delicious meal for any day of the week.

The image shows a close-up of a fried chicken sandwich with three layers of crispy golden-brown fried chicken fillets stacked inside a soft, lightly toasted white bun. On top of the chicken, there is a layer of creamy coleslaw made of shredded cabbage and carrots in a white dressing, followed by two slices of bright green pickles. The sandwich is held by a woman's hand, with two more similar sandwiches blurred in the background, all on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 medium chicken breasts
½ cup buttermilk
1 tablespoon hot sauce
½ cup all-purpose flour
½ cup cornstarch
Cayenne pepper, to taste
Garlic powder, to taste
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
Frying oil (enough for deep frying)
1 tablespoon brown sugar
4 burger buns, buttered and toasted
Coleslaw (for topping)
Pickles (for topping)

Instructions

Step 1: Slice the chicken breasts in half horizontally to create thinner cutlets. Season both sides with salt and black pepper.
Step 2: In one bowl, combine the buttermilk and hot sauce. In another bowl, mix the flour, cornstarch, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
Step 3: Dredge each chicken piece first in the flour mixture, then dip into the buttermilk and hot sauce mix, and coat again with the flour mixture for a crispy crust.
Step 4: Heat frying oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C). Fry the chicken pieces for about 3 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Step 5: In a small bowl, mix hot oil with brown sugar and cayenne pepper (adjust spice level to your taste). Baste the fried chicken with this hot oil mixture before assembling the sandwiches.
Step 6: Toast the buttered buns. Spread mayonnaise on the bottom halves, place the spicy fried chicken on top, then add coleslaw and pickles for a perfect finish.

Tips & Variations

For extra heat, increase the cayenne pepper in both the flour mixture and the oil baste.
Substitute mayonnaise with spicy aioli for an added flavor kick.
Use a wire rack to drain fried chicken to keep it crispy instead of using paper towels.
Try adding sliced jalapeños or hot honey drizzle for a sweet and spicy variation.

Storage

Store leftover chicken and buns separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat the chicken in an oven or air fryer to maintain crispiness. Avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess. Assemble sandwiches fresh before serving.

How to Serve

The image shows a close-up of a crispy fried chicken sandwich on a soft, golden-brown bun. The sandwich has three main layers: the bottom bun, a thick piece of crunchy fried chicken with a rough, crunchy texture, and a generous layer of coleslaw made with shredded purple and white cabbage and creamy dressing on top of the chicken. At the very top, there are three thin, bright green pickle slices placed above the coleslaw, all covered by the soft, slightly toasted top bun. The background and surface are white marbled texture, and the photo is taken from a low angle focusing on the front sandwich with two more blurred sandwiches in the back. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes, boneless, skinless chicken thighs work well and offer a juicier alternative. Adjust frying time slightly to ensure they are fully cooked.

How spicy is Nashville hot chicken?

It has a noticeable but manageable heat level from cayenne pepper. You can easily adjust the spice by adding more or less cayenne to suit your taste.

Marina Montclair