Nashville hot chicken is a spicy fried chicken dish that originated in Nashville, Tennessee. It is typically served with white bread to help temper the heat, along with pickles and a side of ranch or blue cheese dressing. Determining what other side dishes pair well with Nashville hot chicken can enhance the overall meal.
What makes Nashville hot chicken spicy?
The hallmark of authentic Nashville hot chicken is a spicy cayenne pepper paste or seasoning blend that is rubbed directly onto the chicken before it is fried. This gives the crispy fried exterior a potent hit of heat. The spice level ranges from mild to extra hot, so you can choose your preferred level of burn. The chicken is then served atop white bread, which absorbs some of the spicy oil and helps balance out the burning sensation. Pickles and cool ranch or blue cheese dressing provide further relief.
What are traditional Nashville hot chicken side dishes?
The traditional side dishes served with Nashville hot chicken are fairly simple:
- White bread – Thick-cut white sandwich bread is served under the fried chicken to absorb excess oil and spice. The bread’s mild flavor and fluffy texture help temper the heat.
- Dill pickle chips – Tart, crunchy dill pickle chips are the go-to palate cleanser for cooling your mouth between bites of spicy chicken.
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing – These creamy, cooling dairy dips provide additional relief from Nashville hot chicken’s blistering spice level.
- Cole slaw – Crisp shredded cabbage tossed in a mayo or vinegar based dressing is a staple Southern side dish that frequently accompanies Nashville hot chicken.
These traditional simple sides allow the fried chicken to take center stage without competing flavors. The starchy bread, pickled vegetables, cooling ranch, and crunchy slaw all work together to counterbalance the intense seasoning of the chicken.
What are some creative flavorful side dish ideas?
If you want to serve something beyond the customary Nashville hot chicken sides, there are many delicious options that will complement the heat without overpowering the chicken’s starring role:
Macaroni and cheese
A rich, cheesy macaroni and cheese provides a creamy counterpart to the chicken’s spice level. Opt for a traditional Southern-style baked macaroni and cheese with cheddar or a combination of cheeses. The mild, velvety pasta dish delivers comfort and calories to help put out the fire.
Potato salad
Cool, creamy potato salad is a flavorful alternative to coleslaw. Chopped potatoes in a mayo-based dressing or tangy vinegar dressing pair nicely with the crispy chicken skin and juicy meat.
Baked beans
Sweet, saucy baked beans – especially barbecue-style – bring both texture and flavor contrast. Their heat is mild compared to the chicken, but they carry enough sweet spice to complement without competing.
Collard greens
Slow-cooked, buttery collard greens are a classic side dish in Southern cooking. Their earthy, somewhat bitter flavor balances the salty, spicy fried chicken. Chopped greens stewed with ham hocks or other seasoning make a hearty side.
Cornbread
For an alternative to white bread, try cornbread alongside Nashville hot chicken. Cornbread’s sturdy texture stands up well to accompanying the chicken. The sweet corn flavor is a nice counter to the heat. Serve wedges of cornbread in place of slices of white bread with the chicken.
Corn on the cob
For a fresh vegetable side, roasted, grilled, or boiled corn on the cob is a bright, sweet accompaniment. The corn’s starchiness and subtle smoky char flavors from grilling complement the chicken without competing.
Cheddar jalapeno biscuits
For an amped up alternative to regular biscuits, hot and cheesy cheddar jalapeno drop biscuits deliver spice and richness to accompany Nashville hot chicken. The biscuits satisfy with both flavor and calories to balance the heat.
Creamed spinach
Creamed spinach makes an unexpected but delicious pairing with Nashville hot chicken. The rich, smooth spinach dip-like dish provides creaminess and earthiness without additional spice. It balances the chicken’s saltiness and heat.
Green bean casserole
For a Southern-inspired twist, green bean casserole brings an indulgent side dish pairing. Creamy mushroom soup, crisp green beans, and fried onions offer an umami flavor bomb contrast to the fiery chicken.
What beverages pair well with Nashville hot chicken?
When eating mouth-searing Nashville hot chicken, you need something to drink that will tame the heat. Here are some beverage ideas that complement the dish:
| Beverage | Flavor Profile |
|---|---|
| Sweet tea | Sweet, cold, refreshing |
| Lemonade | Sweet, sour, tangy, cooling |
| Buttermilk | Cool, creamy, tangy |
| Arnold Palmer | Sweet tea and lemonade mixture; the best of both worlds |
| Beer | Crisp, cooling, bubbly; the carbonation helps scrub the palate |
| Milk | Creamy, cooling, coats the mouth |
Bubbly, acidic, sweet, creamy, and cold beverages all help tame the Nashville hot chicken experience. The right drink pairing keeps the meal balanced, palate-pleasing, and lets you fully enjoy the hot chicken’s breathtaking spice blend.
What are the best dips and sauces for Nashville hot chicken?
While Nashville hot chicken packs its own punch flavor-wise, sauces and dips can round out the meal. Here are some tasty condiment options:
Ranch dressing
Cool, creamy ranch dressing is a classic dip for Nashville hot chicken. It provides a thick, cooling contrast to the fiery heat.
Blue cheese dressing
Bold, pungent blue cheese dressing is an excellent foil for the hot chicken. Its creamy base and funky blue cheese chunks make it intensely flavorful.
Honey mustard
Sweet honey mustard’s smooth tanginess helps balance the chicken’s saltiness and slows the burn. The honey adds thickness and richness.
Comeback sauce
This blend of mayo, chili sauce, black pepper, and other spices provides a little kick of its own along with creamy cooling. It’s a versatile sauce originally from Mississippi.
BBQ sauce
Sweet and tangy barbecue sauce gives a hit of smoky, molasses, tomato-based flavor. It also contributes mild spice and thickness.
Alabama white sauce
This mayo-based sauce gets tang from apple cider vinegar and zip from horseradish and black pepper. Its creamy base tames heat.
Hot honey
Mixing spicy red pepper flakes with sweet honey makes for a delicious drizzle on the chicken. It contributes sweetness to temper the burn.
Conclusion
Nashville hot chicken is all about the heat, but serving it with the right side dishes and sauces makes for a more complete, palate-pleasing meal. Starchy, creamy, cooling, and crunchy sides along with sweet, tangy, or creamy sauces complement the chicken’s spice and flavor. Beverage pairings like sweet tea, lemonade, and milk also help you withstand the pleasurable burn. With the perfect accompaniments, you can turn up the spice and fully enjoy the Nashville hot chicken experience.