Nashville hot chicken has become one of the most popular food trends in recent years. Known for its fiery hot flavor and crispy exterior, this dish originated in Nashville, Tennessee but has now spread across the country. So what makes Nashville hot chicken stand out from other fried chicken and earn its reputation for spicy heat?
The History of Nashville Hot Chicken
The origins of hot chicken can be traced back to the 1930s and 1940s in Nashville. As the story goes, a woman named Thornton Prince returned home late one night after a night out. As payback, she added extra hot peppers to her partner’s fried chicken recipe the next morning. Instead of deterring him, he loved the spicy flavor and soon opened up his own restaurant called BBQ Chicken Shack to serve his new spicy creation. The restaurant became known for serving some of the hottest fried chicken in town.
This unique fried chicken style became popular in Nashville’s African-American communities. Restaurants like Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack, Bolton’s Spicy Chicken and Fish, and 400 Degrees carried on the tradition of piping hot chicken. It wasn’t until the 2000s that the dish broke out and started attracting national attention, with hot chicken appearing on food TV shows and publications. Now it’s common to find Nashville hot chicken on menus across the country.
Key Ingredients in Nashville Hot Chicken
While the preparation methods may vary between different restaurants, there are some core ingredients that set Nashville hot chicken apart:
- Cayenne pepper – The signature heat in Nashville hot chicken comes from liberal amounts of cayenne pepper mixed into a paste. The spicy concoction is then rubbed directly onto the fried chicken.
- Lard – Traditional recipes call for chicken to be fried in a cast iron skillet with hot lard, which keeps the exterior crispy.
- Spice blend – Many Nashville hot chicken recipes include paprika, garlic powder, brown sugar, chili powder, and other spices to complement the cayenne heat.
- Chicken – Traditionally Nashville hot chicken uses chicken thighs and legs, which can hold up to frying.
Preparation Methods
There are a few key steps that set Nashville hot chicken preparation apart:
- Chicken is brined or soaked in buttermilk – This keeps the meat moist and tender.
- Chicken is then dredged in a spiced flour mixture – This forms the crispy coating.
- After frying until golden brown, the chicken is coated in a paste of cayenne pepper and other spices.
- The paste ensures flavor goes beyond surface and penetrates the meat.
- The chicken is then fried again or left to sit to allow spices to soak in further.
The double fry method and spicy paste combination is what really packs the flavor punch in Nashville hot chicken. The paste containing a hefty dose of cayenne penetrates the skin and meat instead of just coating the surface.
Heat Levels
One unique aspect of Nashville hot chicken is the ability to choose your spice level. Restaurants use rating systems to indicate the increasing intensity of the chicken heat. For example:
| Heat Level | Spice Description |
|---|---|
| Plain | No spices added |
| Mild | Spice flavors without much heat |
| Medium | Moderate level of spice and heat |
| Hot | High level of heat |
| Extra Hot | Extremely spicy and fiery |
The upper spice ranges like hot and extra hot pack some serious peppery punch. Part of the fun and challenge of Nashville hot chicken is testing your tolerance level!
Serving Tips
For the full experience, Nashville hot chicken should be served with white bread and pickles. The bread helps soak up the spicy oil and juices. The pickles provide a cool, crunchy contrast to the heat. Many restaurants will also offer milk or other creamy drinks to help temper the spicy burn.
Where to Find the Best Nashville Hot Chicken
When visiting Nashville, some classic hot chicken establishments include:
- Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack
- Hattie B’s
- Bolton’s Spicy Chicken and Fish
- 400 Degrees Hot Chicken
- PepperFire Spicy Chicken
Popular chef-driven restaurants like Husk Nashville and The Pharmacy Burger Parlor also offer their own unique twists on hot chicken. Outside of Nashville, search for restaurants advertising Nashville style or hot chicken to get an authentic taste.
Why Nashville Hot Chicken Is So Popular
There are several factors that make Nashville hot chicken a standout dish:
- Unique flavor profile – The balance of spice, herbs, spices, and heat creates a taste unlike any other fried chicken.
- Range of heat – Everyone can find a heat level to enjoy, from mild to extra hot.
- Crispy outside – The double fried method yields an ultra crispy and crackling crust.
- Juicy inside – Brining and frying methods keep the chicken incredibly moist and tender.
- Tradition – It’s a taste of Nashville’s distinctive food history and culture.
- Fun experience – There’s a thrill in testing your spice tolerance and flavor preferences.
How to Make Your Own Nashville Hot Chicken
Want Nashville hot chicken right from your home kitchen? Here are some simple steps to follow:
- Brine the chicken – Soak chicken pieces in saltwater brine for 1-2 hours.
- Make wet batter – Mix flour, spices, milk, eggs, salt, and pepper.
- Make spice paste – Combine cayenne, brown sugar, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and oil.
- Bread chicken pieces – Dip chicken in batter, then flour mixture.
- Fry chicken – Fry in oil for 14-16 minutes until golden and cooked through.
- Coat in spice paste – Brush paste generously on fried chicken.
- Fry again – Quickly fry chicken again to set paste.
For even easier Nashville hot chicken, buy prepared fried chicken and coat it in a homemade cayenne paste. Serve with pickles and white bread. Adjust the amount of cayenne in the paste to achieve your desired level of heat.
Healthier Nashville Hot Chicken
To lighten up this indulgent dish, try these tweaks:
- Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts to reduce calories and fat.
- Swap the frying oil for healthier avocado or olive oil.
- Skip the double fry – just fry once until chicken is cooked through.
- Replace some of the cayenne with milder spices like paprika.
- Opt for a thinner paste coating to keep spice levels lower.
- Bake the chicken in the oven instead of frying.
- Serve over a green salad instead of white bread.
Conclusion
With its origins in Nashville’s local African-American communities and its signature cayenne kick, hot chicken has become one of the South’s most iconic dishes. The balance of juicy, fried chicken with tongue-tingling spice is hard to resist. Tackling the heat levels is part of the fun and challenge of this dish. While traditional Nashville-style hot chicken may not be the healthiest choice, there are easy ways to put a lighter spin on this classic. Regardless of how you enjoy it, hot chicken is a flavorful way to experience a taste of Nashville food history.