Description
This Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich recipe features crispy breaded chicken filets generously coated in a spicy, buttery hot sauce, served on toasted brioche buns with dill pickles. The sauce combines cayenne pepper, brown sugar, honey, and aromatic spices for a bold and flavorful kick. Perfect for those who enjoy hearty, spicy sandwiches with a balance of heat and sweetness.
Ingredients
Scale
For the chicken:
- 4 breaded chicken breast filets
For the sauce:
- 0.5 cup butter
- 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons cracked black pepper
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
For assembling the sandwiches:
- 4 brioche buns
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- Dill pickles, as needed
Instructions
- Cook chicken: If using frozen breaded chicken filets, air fry according to package instructions. Alternatively, use the recommended air fryer chicken sandwich recipe for fresh breaded chicken and air fry as directed.
- Make sauce: While the chicken cooks, melt 0.5 cup butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Add spices: Once butter is melted, add cayenne pepper, brown sugar, honey, kosher salt, cracked black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Whisk well and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the spices.
- Coat chicken: Remove sauce from heat and stir well. As soon as chicken is cooked, use a pastry brush to generously coat both sides of each chicken filet with the sauce. Stir sauce before each coating as it may separate.
- Toast buns: Butter the insides of brioche buns with softened butter and toast them on a skillet over medium heat until golden brown.
- Assemble sandwiches: Place each sauced chicken filet on the bottom half of a toasted bun, top with dill pickle slices, then add the top bun.
- Serve: Serve the Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Frozen breaded chicken filets are a convenient alternative if you prefer not to bread your own chicken.
- The traditional Nashville hot sauce uses hot frying oil instead of butter; for authentic flavor, substitute canola or vegetable oil for butter in the sauce.
- Adjust cayenne pepper amount to your heat preference; up to 4 tablespoons can be used for extra spiciness.
- The sauce will separate and not combine smoothly, which is normal; always stir well before applying to chicken.
- Honey adds a desirable texture and mild sweetness; you may omit it and double the brown sugar if preferred.
- Classic toppings include dill pickles, but creamy coleslaw or mayo can be added to balance the heat.
