This Nashville Hot chicken is juicy, crispy and delicious fried chicken brushed with hot sauce for a delicious dinner. Using the Air Fryer means the chicken is super crispy without the mess and effort of deep frying.
Some of us are well-versed in all things Air Fryer and some are just coming around to it’s awesome-ness. No matter if you’re a novice or an expert, this recipe will be really easy for you. (Almost all of the Air Fryer recipes are easy, to be honest)
The flavor is incredible and the best part is that it’s cooked so quickly in the Air Fryer. That has always been one of my favorite things about this fantastic appliance. I love any way I can make meal time quicker and easier on me.
Watch The Recipe Video!
What is Nashville Hot Chicken?
You might recognize the name Hot Chicken from all kinds of restaurants and has been popular in Nashville for decades. Nashville Hot Chicken is traced back to the original Prince’s Hot Chicken that has been around for over 70 years. Today, people still line up in long lines at Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack even before they opens its doors to get their spicy fried chicken.
Ingredients you will need:
- Boneless Chicken Breast Tenders – you can cut down down a chicken breast if that’s what you’ve got, the tenders just make it a bit easier.
- Salt and Pepper – for flavor.
- Hot Sauce – pick your favorite one.
- Pickle juice – just pour it right from the pickle jar!
- All purpose flour – to coat the chicken.
- Egg – also for coating the chicken.
- Buttermilk
- Cooking Spray – so you don’t get the food stuck to the Air Fryer.
Sauce ingredients:
- Spices: cayenne pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, paprika.
- Dark brown sugar
- Olive Oil
How To Make Nashville Chicken In The Air Fryer
This Nashville fried chicken recipe has a group of simple steps: the buttermilk marinade, the homemade spice rub, the buttermilk egg wash, the breading mixture, and the homemade Nashville hot chicken sauce. It might sound a bit complicated, but it’s very easy to follow.
- Coat the chicken. Toss it in a bag with the salt & pepper, hot sauce and pickle juice. Cover the chicken tightly with some plastic wrap and let it sit in the fridge for an hour to take on the flavors.
- Make the dredge. Put flour into one shallow bowl, then in another whisk up the buttermilk, eggs and hot sauce.
- Dredge the chicken. First, toss each piece of chicken in flour to coat it, then the milk mixture, then back to the flour.
- Cook the chicken for about 5-7 on each side until it’s that perfect golden brown color.
How To Make Nashville Chicken Sauce
To make this delicious, hot spicy sauce, just whisk together the spices, the brown sugar, and the olive oil. Then, pour it right over the chicken tenders.
Tips & Tricks
- Don’t have Buttermilk? No problem! You can make homemade buttermilk for this recipe by adding 3 tablespoons vinegar to a measuring glass and add enough milk (not skim) to equal 3 cups. Give it a stir and let sit 5-10 minutes before using.
- Too Spicey? Omit the hot sauce and cut the Cayenne pepper to 1 Tbsp. You’ll still have delicious flavorful chicken without such a huge kick.
- Prep: The chicken can be prepared up to the point of frying and kept in the refrigerator. Let the chicken sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before frying.
- Storing: Nashville fried chicken should be stored in an airtight container and placed in the refrigerator. Place a piece of parchment paper in between the chicken (if layering) and it’s good for 3 to 5 days.
Serving:
Serve this delicious hot chicken with a side of coleslaw, a pickle, maybe some fries… whatever sides sound great to you. You can also pile them onto a bun for a delicious sandwich. However you serve these, everyone will enjoy them.
More Delicious Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Dry Rub Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer Mashed Potato Cakes
- Avocado Fries
- Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
- Blackberry Hand Pies
- Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
Nashville Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless chicken breast tenders
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. coarsely ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp. hot sauce
- 2 tbsp. pickle juice
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cups buttermilk
- cooking spray
Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 cup olive oil
Instructions
- In a large bowl, toss together the chicken, 1 tablespoon hot sauce, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, 1 tablespoon of pickle juice until well combined.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Pour the flour into a bowl and mix in remaining 1/2 teaspoon or salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.
- Whisk the eggs, buttermilk, and remaining tablespoon of hot sauce in a separate bowl.
- To dredge the chicken, first place it in the flour toss each piece to evenly coat.
- Then place it into the buttermilk mixture, and then back into the flour.
- Place the breaded chicken on a baking sheet in a single layer.
- Continue to finish the other tenders.
- Let air dry for 10 minutes.
- Set your Air Fryer to the chicken setting or 375 degrees.
- Place your tenders in the Air Fryer dish (in batches) in a single layer and lightly coat with cooking spray.
- Cook for 5-6 minutes or as your Air Fryer sets on its chicken settings. Then turn over the chicken and coat with cooking spray. Cook until golden brown 5-7 minutes longer.
Sauce:
- To make the hot spicy sauce, whisk together the spices, brown sugar, and 1/2 cup of olive oil until evenly combined.
- Immediately pour it over the fried chicken tenders.
- Serve with pickles.
Last Step:
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