Experience an explosion of fiery, sweet, and tangy flavors with our Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders. You'll love the crunch of perfectly fried chicken coated with a blend of cayenne, paprika, and a variety of spices, all balanced with the sweetness of honey and brown sugar. It's an addictive blend of flavors and textures that make this dish an irresistible treat for spice lovers and food explorers alike.
Today we have a recipe straight out of the heart of Tennessee with these delightful Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders.
They’re savory, they’re crispy, and yes, they're hot!
But worry not, the level of heat is completely adjustable to match your taste buds.
Let's turn ordinary fried chicken into extraordinary and transform simple chicken tenders into a flavor-packed feast!
The Nashville Chicken Tenders have their roots in the heart of Tennessee, where spicy food isn't just a preference, it's a tradition.
This is not your average Sunday family meal; it's the talk of town at barbecues, a star at game nights, and the secret weapon at potlucks.
These spicy chicken strips will be the life of any event, whether it's for holidays, birthdays, or just because it's Wednesday.
What is Nashville Hot Chicken?
The lore suggests that the dish was born out of a bit of a revenge plot. As the story goes, a woman, angered by her partner's philandering ways, decided to make him a fried chicken breakfast that was so spicy it would be inedible.
She added an extremely generous helping of cayenne pepper to the recipe in the hopes of teaching him a lesson. To her surprise, however, he loved the fiery creation, and thus, Nashville hot chicken was born.
The man in question, Thornton Prince, was so taken with the dish that he decided to perfect the recipe and opened up "Prince's Hot Chicken shack" a restaurant that still stands today and is a mecca for hot chicken enthusiasts.
The fame of this dish has spread far and wide, with variations like the Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders popping up on menus across the country.
Lore aside, this chicken is completely edible and not to spicy for those who enjoy a bit of spice.
What You'll Love About This Recipe
- Packed with flavor: It's an explosion of flavors - spicy, sweet, tangy, and smoky all at once.
- Adjustable heat: You control the level of heat to suit your palate.
- Crispy and juicy: The chicken is crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside.
- Saucy finish: The honey glaze adds a sweet and sticky finish, perfectly balancing the spiciness.
Ingredients
Chicken Tenders: The star of our show, these will turn juicy and tender as they soak up all the spices. We used chicken breast strips.
All Purpose Flour: The coating for our crispy crust, mixed with a sprinkle of our spice blend for that extra kick.
Cayenne Pepper: Bring the heat! This is where our Nashville tenders get their signature fiery flavor. The amount we use is mildly spicy, but feel free to add a bit more to turn up the heat, or less for a milder version.
Brown Sugar: It adds a touch of sweetness to balance out the heat.
Spices: A medley of chili powder, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika to create the ultimate spice blend.
Hot Sauce: Gives the chicken it's kick. We used Louisiana hot sauce, but Franks Red Hot Sauce works well too, but you can use your favorite brand of hot sauce.
Buttermilk: Part of the marinade that tenderizes the chicken. If you don't have buttermilk on hand, you can easily make a homemade substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to 1 cup of whole milk, stir, and let it sit for about 10 minutes until it curdles slightly. This mixture won't be as thick as commercial buttermilk, but it will work for this recipe.
Oil: Used for frying to achieve that irresistible golden-brown crust. You can use vegetable oil or peanut oil. Just make sure whatever oil you are using is good for frying, other wise the oil will burn and add an unpleasant smoky flavor.
Honey Glaze: A mix of honey, paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and some reserved oil from frying to paint our hot chicken tenders with a sweet and savory finish.
Equipment
You'll need a Frying Pan, Deep Dryer or Dutch Oven for frying our Nashville tenders to perfection.
Make sure you have Tongs on hand for safe and easy flipping.
Paper Towels and a Cookie Sheet will help to drain excess oil and keep our chicken crispy.
Instructions
Marinate the chicken: Mix together the cayenne, brown sugar, black pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and paprika.
Rub ¾ of this mixture onto the chicken tenders in a large mixing bowl.
Next, pour the buttermilk and hot sauce over the seasoned chicken tenders.
Mix well and let the chicken sit in this flavorful marinade for at least 30 minutes but up to 4 hours.
Prepare the coating: Mix the remaining ¼ of the spice mixture into the flour. This is what gives our chicken its crispy, flavorful crust.
Heat the oil: When you're ready to cook, heat your oil over medium-high heat.
You're looking for a temperature around 350-375°F.
If you don't have a thermometer, a piece of bread should turn golden brown in about 60 seconds when the oil is ready.
Coat and rest the chicken: Dip each piece of chicken in the flour mixture, ensuring all sides are well-coated.
Let them rest for 5 minutes on a wire rack.
This step is crucial for achieving that restaurant-quality crispy exterior.
Fry the chicken: Fry the chicken until it's golden brown on all sides. This should take around 8 minutes in total.
Try not to overcrowd the pan, as this can lower the temperature of the oil and lead to less crispy chicken.
Drain and rest: Once cooked, let the chicken rest on a wire rack over a cookie sheet. Make sure to use the rack for super crispy tenders.
This will help maintain the crispiness while draining any excess oil.
Prepare the glaze: Mix together honey, paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and a bit of the reserved frying oil or melted butter.
Brush this over the hot chicken for an irresistible sweet and savory finish.
Serve: Your Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders are ready to impress. Serve with pickles, coleslaw, or your favorite sides.
Top Tips
Adjust the heat: Remember, the spiciness of this dish is entirely adjustable. If you're not too keen on spicy food, simply reduce the amount of cayenne pepper used. If you love your food hot, feel free to add more!
Marinate for longer: For the most flavorful chicken, consider marinating the chicken in buttermilk and spices overnight. This allows the chicken to absorb the flavors and results in tender, juicy chicken.
Don't crowd the pan: When frying the chicken, it’s important not to crowd your pan. This can drop the oil's temperature too much, leading to chicken that's greasy and less crispy.
Maintain oil temperature: Keep an eye on the temperature of your oil, which should ideally be between 350-375°F. This ensures your chicken gets properly crispy without burning or becoming too greasy.
Rest before and after frying: Let the chicken sit after it has been coated in the flour mixture. This helps the coating adhere better. Also, let it rest after frying so it can cool, and any excess oil can drip off.
Drain excess oil: To keep your chicken crispy, be sure to drain it on a wire rack over a baking sheet. If you place them directly on a plate or paper towel, they might turn soggy.
Substitutions
- Chicken: You can use chicken thighs instead of tenders or breasts for a richer flavor.
- Glaze oil: Melted butter can be used instead of oil for a buttery finish.
Variations
- Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich: Simply serve these tenders between two slices of white bread, with pickles and coleslaw.
- BBQ Nashville Chicken Strips: Add some barbecue sauce to your glaze for a smoky-sweet twist.
Recipe
Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders
From Tennessee to your kitchen table, these homemade Nashville tenders offer a symphony of flavors that turns simple chicken strips into a spicy feast.
Ingredients
- 8 chicken tenders or 2 chicken breasts cut into strips
- 1 ½ cups of All-purpose flour
- 3-5 tablespoons of cayenne
- 2 tablespoons of brown sugar (light or dark)
- 1 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1 teaspoon of chili powder
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon of paprika
- 1 cup of buttermilk
- Hot sauce (We used Louisiana hot sauce)
- 8-10 cups of vegetable oil
Instructions
- Begin by marinating your chicken for at minimum 30 mins but up to 4 hours.
- Add all of your seasonings to a bowl and stir.
- Add ¾ of the seasoning mixture to the chicken.
- Rub in and coat the chicken well.
- Add the remaining ¼ of the seasonings to the flour and set aside.
- Pour buttermilk and hot sauce over the chicken, mix well and let marinate.
- When you are ready to fry, heat your oil over medium high heat.
- Remove each piece from the marinade and coat with flour mixture.
- Let sit for 5 mins on a wire rack before frying.
- Frying until golden brown on both side (about 8 mins total.)
- Remove, add to wire rack, and let the oil drain. (see notes)
- Make the glaze: To a bowl mix all ingredients until combined then brush over the hot chicken!
- Serve and enjoy
Notes
Using a wire rack will help the chicken maintain its crispiness
Storage Instructions
These Nashville Chicken Tenders are best enjoyed right after they're made, to savor their crispiness and taste.
However, if you find yourself with leftovers, here's how to store them:
- Refrigerator: Allow the chicken tenders to cool completely, then place them in an airtight container. They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: If you need to store them for longer, you can freeze the chicken tenders. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To reheat, preheat your oven to 375°F. Spread the chicken tenders out on a baking sheet and bake for about 10-15 minutes if refrigerated, or 20-25 minutes if frozen, or until they are heated through and crispy again.
Please note, the reheated chicken may not be as crispy as when it was first cooked, but it will still be delicious!
From prep to serve, it's a fun and rewarding experience creating these Nashville Chicken Tenders. Now all that's left to do is grab a tender, take a bite, and let the flavors do their magic. Enjoy!
The level of spiciness in these spicy chicken strips can be adjusted to your preference by controlling the amount of cayenne pepper used in the recipe. If you prefer a milder dish, feel free to use less cayenne, or if you love a good kick, you can add more!
Yes, you can use other parts of the chicken. Keep in mind that different parts of the chicken may require slightly different cooking times. For instance, bone-in pieces will take longer to cook through than boneless chicken tenders.
Absolutely. You can replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Just make sure to look for a blend that's designed to be a direct substitute for all-purpose flour.
Yes, you can bake these chicken tenders, although the texture will be slightly different. For baked tenders, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C), place the breaded tenders on a wire rack over a baking sheet, and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). You'll still get a great flavor, but they won't be quite as crispy as fried tenders.
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