Nashville hot chicken is a spicy fried chicken dish that originated in Nashville, Tennessee. It is characterized by being breaded and deep fried, then doused with a fiery hot spice blend. Nashville hot chicken has a cult following, with some lovers willing to endure hours-long waits to get their hands on the piping hot bird. But just how spicy is Nashville hot chicken? Let’s take a closer look at the origins, preparation methods, and spice levels that define this iconic Nashville specialty.
Origins of Nashville Hot Chicken
The origins of Nashville hot chicken can be traced back to the 1930s and a restaurant called Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack. As the story goes, one woman’s cheating husband came home late one night after a tryst with another woman. The angry wife decided to teach him a lesson by soaking his fried chicken in extra hot spices before serving it to him the next morning. Instead of punishing him, the cheating husband loved the spicy chicken so much he asked her to make it for him again. She reluctantly obliged and “hot chicken” was born.
Word of mouth about the angry wife’s specialty spread and soon lines were forming outside her home for her Nashville hot chicken. The Prince family took notice and decided to commercialize the concept, opening Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack in 1945. Prince’s claims to have invented Nashville hot chicken, though other restaurants and families also stake claim. Regardless, Prince’s success cemented hot chicken’s popularity in Nashville. Musicians began flocking there between sets during the 1940s and 1950s, helping spread its fame.
The Role of Cayenne Pepper
At the heart of Nashville hot chicken’s spice is cayenne pepper. This moderately spicy chili pepper provides most of the heat. Regional differences in soil and climate impact cayenne peppers’ spiciness, but those grown commercially tend to range from 30,000 to 50,000 Scoville heat units. For comparison, a jalapeno pepper registers around 5,000 units. So cayenne packs quite a punch! Combining it with other spices amplifies the burn.
Preparation Methods
While recipes vary between restaurants, there are some standard preparation methods that give Nashville hot chicken its trademark heat and crunch:
Brining
Chicken pieces are soaked overnight in a brine solution, which helps keep the meat juicy and tender when fried. Brines are typically salt-based and may include sugar, spices, and buttermilk or pickle juice.
Breading
After brining, chicken is dredged in a seasoned flour mixture, dipped in egg wash or buttermilk, then covered again in the flour blend. This double breading gives the coating extra crunch. Breadings usually contain flour, spices, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and other seasonings.
Deep Frying
The breaded chicken is submerged in hot oil—traditionally lard or cottonseed oil—at temperatures between 300-350°F. Frying cooks the chicken through and crisps up the coating. Pieces fry for 10-15 minutes until golden brown.
Saucing
Once fried, the chicken is tossed in a molten hot sauce blend. Recipes vary, but are generally made with cayenne pepper, oil, brown sugar, garlic, paprika, and other spices simmered into a thick, sticky glaze. The chicken soaks up the sauce as it is tossed, taking on intense heat and flavor.
Spice and Heat Levels
Here is where Nashville hot chicken gets really fiery. There are generally 4 main spice levels offered:
Plain
Surprisingly, plain Nashville hot chicken still packs a punch! The breading contains spicy cayenne pepper and paprika, giving it a mild kick. The plain chicken is not doused with hot sauce. This level rates around a 3 out of 10 on the heat scale.
Mild
Mild hot chicken is coated in a thinner, less intense hot sauce blend. Spice level comes in around a 4-5 out of 10. There’s a clear heat that builds, but it’s manageable for those with milder palates.
Medium
Medium ratchets up both the amount and intensity of hot sauce used. The spicy flavor starts to build fast, hitting 6-7 out of 10 on the heat scale. Lips will tingle and start to burn. Medium Nashville hot is still bearable for some spice lovers.
Hot
This is the spice level Nashville hot chicken is renowned for. Expect a thick layer of fiery hot sauce that clings to the chicken and penetrates the breading. Hot Nashville chicken is an intense 8-10 on the heat scale. Even a single bite can bring tears, runny noses, hiccups, and general mouth trauma. The cayenne-laced burn lingers long after you finish.
Tips for Handling the Heat
Curious to try authentic Nashville hot chicken, but worried about the scorch factor? Here are some tips to handle the heat:
Order Milder Spice Levels First
Don’t rush into the hottest spice. Begin with mild or medium to allow your palate to acclimate. You can always go hotter next time.
Have Dairy On Hand
Dairy products like milk, yogurt, sour cream, and ice cream help tame spice. The fat coats and soothes your mouth.
Avoid Drinking Water
Water simply spreads the capsaicin oil around your mouth, which increases the burning sensation. Opt for dairy instead.
Bread Helps
Starch absorbs capsaicin oils well. A few slices of white bread can help downgrade the pain.
Rinse Your Mouth
When the fire becomes too much, rinse your mouth with water to wash away some of the hot sauce. Repeat as needed.
Where to Sample Nashville Hot Chicken
Heading to Nashville and craving a taste of its famous fiery fried fowl? Here are some top spots to experience authentic Nashville hot chicken:
Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack
As the beloved originator, Prince’s is a can’t-miss. Expect long lines at this no-frills cash-only joint. Their extra-spicy hot chicken sets tongues aflame.
Hattie B’s
Hattie B’s has expanded beyond Nashville with locations nationwide. Their hot chicken comes in six spice levels and gets rave reviews across the board.
Bolton’s Spicy Chicken & Fish
Another local favorite, Bolton’s marinates their chicken for 24 hours before frying. They offer mild, medium, hot, and “Damn Hot” spice levels.
Pepperfire Hot Chicken
Pepperfire is known for using generous amounts of quality cayenne peppers in their fried chicken and sauces.
Slow Burn Hot Chicken
Slow Burn’s chicken is brined for 12+ hours for extra moisture. Their “Fire Starter” option brings slow, lingering heat.
Homemade Recipes
Want to recreate the Nashville hot chicken experience in your own kitchen? Here are some top-rated recipes to try:
Bon Appetit’s Nashville Hot Chicken
This recipe stays true to the traditional preparation and spice level. Don’t skip the pickle brine in the buttermilk!
https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/nashville-style-hot-chicken
Food Network’s Nashville Hot Chicken
Food Network’s take uses boneless chicken thighs for convenience. The hot sauce has brown sugar to balance the spice.
https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/nashville-hot-chicken-5565063
Damn Delicious Nashville Hot Chicken
This simplified recipe uses chicken tenders for a quicker fry. The hot sauce has extra garlic and chili powder.
https://damndelicious.net/2019/01/14/nashville-hot-chicken/
The Bottom Line
Nashville hot chicken packs a mean punch thanks to liberal amounts of fiery cayenne pepper. The heat builds fast, especially in the true “hot” spice level, which rates around an 8-10 out of 10. Milder levels still carry a notable kick. Handling the intense burn takes strategy – opt for dairy products and carbs over water. Trying this iconic local specialty is a rite of passage on any Nashville visit, but be prepared for your mouth to feel the burn!