Nashville Hot Chicken is typically very crunchy., the double layer of breading leads to an ultra crispy skin. Also, the chicken is covered in a spicy rub mixture. Recently made famous by KFC Nashville Hot Chicken, Nashville Hot Sauce is the sauce used on the regional dish that has been around way longer than KFC has been selling it. The Nashville hot chicken sauce is made with cayenne pepper. It also has brown sugar, hot sauce, and either butter, oil or lard.

Nashville Hot Sauce can be made with a vegetable oil or butter base. The fried chicken is dunked into the sauce, or it can be served on the side for dipping. The rub is made up of several spices including paprika and cayenne pepper. Mix all ingredients together, this rub is amazing and provides a great fiery flavor.

Ingredients;

  • 4-5 Pounds Bone In Mixed Chicken Pieces
  • Vegetable Oil, For Frying
    For the Buttermilk Marinade
  • 2 Cups Buttermilk
  • 1½ Tablespoons Spice Rub
  • 2 Bay Leaves
    For the Spice Rub
  • 1½ Tablespoons Salt
  • 1 Tablespoon Paprika
  • 1 Tablespoon Onion Powder
  • 1 Tablespoon Garlic Powder
  • 1 Tablespoon Chili Powder
  • 2 Teaspoons Black Pepper
  • 1 Teaspoon Oregano, Dried
  • 1 Teaspoon Basil, Dried
  • 1 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
    For the Buttermilk Egg Wash
  • 2 Eggs
  • 1 Cup Buttermilk
  • ¼ Cup Hot Sauce
    For the Breading
  • 3½ cups All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 Tablespoon Baking Powder
    For the Nashville Hot Sauce
  • 2 Tablespoons Hot Sauce
  • 2 Tablespoons Butter, Melted
  • 1 Tablespoon Cayenne Pepper
  • 2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
  • 1 Teaspoon Spice Rub (See Above)
  • ½ Teaspoon Smoked Paprika
  • ¾ Cup Vegetable Oil

Instructions;

  1. In a small bowl, combine all spice rub ingredients.
    For the Marinade
  2. In a large bowl, combine buttermilk, bay leaves, and 1½ tablespoons of the spice rub you just made. Add chicken until well coated. Refrigerate at least 3 hours.
    For the Hot Sauce
  3. In a medium bowl combine, 1 teaspoon of the spice rub, and all remaining hot sauce ingredients except for the butter.
    For the Breading/Egg Wash
  4. In a large shallow dish, combine eggs, buttermilk, and hot sauce.
  5. In a separate shallow dish, combine flour, baking powder, and remaining spice rub in a large bowl.
  6. Dredge chicken in flour, then buttermilk, and then flour again. Place on a baking sheet until ready to fry.
    Frying
  7. In a large dutch oven heat 3 inches of oil to 375 degrees F. Cook 3-4 pieces at a time for 7 minutes per side, or until chicken reaches 165 degrees F.
  8. Drain on paper towels.
  9. Add butter to the prepared sauce, whisk until smooth.
  10. Cool for 2-3 minutes before brushing on the sauce.