Have you ever tried Nashville hot chicken and wondered what makes it so darn special? I sure did! As someone who’s tasted their fair share of spicy foods, I gotta tell you – Nashville hot chicken stands in a league of its own It’s not just another fried chicken variation; it’s a culinary experience with a rich history, distinct preparation method, and a flavor profile that’ll make your taste buds dance (and possibly cry)
In this deep dive, we’ll explore everything that makes Nashville hot chicken different from other chicken dishes, especially Buffalo chicken, which it’s often confused with. So grab a glass of milk (trust me, you’ll need it), and let’s get started!
The Fiery Origin Story: How a Lover’s Revenge Created a Culinary Legend
What makes Nashville hot chicken so fascinating isn’t just its taste – it’s the story behind it. Unlike many iconic dishes with unclear origins, we know exactly how Nashville hot chicken came to be:
Back in the 1930s, a man named Thornton Prince was quite the ladies’ man. After coming home late one night from what his girlfriend suspected was a night of cheating, she decided to teach him a lesson. For breakfast, she made his favorite fried chicken but added an excessive amount of cayenne pepper and spices, hoping to cause him pain.
Plot twist: Thornton LOVED it! Instead of suffering, he enjoyed the spicy creation so much that he soon after opened his own restaurant called BBQ Chicken Shack in Nashville and began serving his spicy creation. Thus, Nashville hot chicken was born from a revenge plot gone wrong!
The restaurant eventually became Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack, which remains one of the most famous hot chicken establishments in Nashville today. His great-niece, André Prince Jeffries, has operated the restaurant since 1980, carrying on the family tradition.
What Really Makes Nashville Hot Chicken Different?
1. The Spice Blend and Application Method
The most distinctive feature of Nashville hot chicken is its unique spice application:
- Oil-Based Spice Paste: Unlike Buffalo chicken which uses a butter-based sauce, Nashville hot chicken uses a paste made from spices mixed with oil or lard
- Cayenne-Forward: The spice mix is predominantly cayenne pepper (lots of it!), giving it that signature fiery heat
- Complex Flavor Profile: Additional spices often include paprika, garlic powder, brown sugar, and other seasonings
- Post-Fry Application: The spice paste is applied AFTER frying, not before
This method creates chicken with a dark orange-brown color, while Buffalo chicken tends to be more vibrant orange-red due to its sauce.
2. The Heat Levels That’ll Make You Hallucinate
Nashville hot chicken is SERIOUS about its spice levels. Most restaurants offer a range of heat intensities:
- Southern/Mild: Just a touch of heat
- Medium: Warming up
- Hot: Definitely feeling the burn
- Damn Hot: Fire-starter level
- Shut the Cluck Up: As Anthony Bourdain described after trying it, “Oh, oh that hurts. I think I’m hallucinating.”
The extreme heat comes from the liberal use of cayenne pepper, which is about 12 TIMES hotter than jalapeños! Despite (or because of) this pain, many people love the endorphin rush that comes from eating such spicy food.
3. The Double-Frying Technique
To achieve that perfect crunch, authentic Nashville hot chicken is typically double-fried:
- First at a lower temperature (around 325°F) to cook the meat through
- Then at a higher temperature (350-375°F) to achieve the ultra-crispy exterior
This technique gives Nashville hot chicken its signature shatteringly crispy crust that provides the perfect textural contrast to the juicy meat inside.
4. The Traditional Serving Style
Nashville hot chicken has a specific way it’s traditionally served:
- White Bread Base: The chicken is placed atop plain white bread slices that soak up the spicy oils
- Pickle Chips: Always served with dill pickle chips on the side
- Simple Sides: Often accompanied by simple sides like coleslaw
This presentation isn’t just about tradition – it’s functional! The bread helps absorb some of the heat, while the cold, tangy pickles provide relief from the intense spice.
Nashville Hot Chicken vs. Buffalo Chicken: Key Differences
People often confuse these two spicy chicken styles, but they’re actually quite different:
| Feature | Nashville Hot Chicken | Buffalo Chicken |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Nashville, Tennessee | Buffalo, New York |
| Base | Oil or lard-based paste | Butter-based sauce |
| Flavor profile | Dry heat, cayenne-forward | Tangy, vinegar-forward |
| Appearance | Dark orange-brown | Bright orange-red |
| Texture | Crispy with dry spice coating | Saucy and wet |
| Traditional serving | On white bread with pickles | With blue cheese, celery |
| Application | Post-frying | Tossed in sauce |
How to Make Nashville Hot Chicken at Home
Wanna try making this fiery dish yourself? Here’s my simplified recipe:
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken thighs or breasts
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- Oil for frying
- For the spice paste:
- 1/2 cup hot oil (from frying)
- 3-4 tablespoons cayenne pepper (adjust to your heat preference)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions:
- Marinate chicken in buttermilk and hot sauce for at least 2 hours (overnight is better)
- Mix flour with salt and pepper in a bowl
- Dredge marinated chicken in flour mixture, pressing to adhere
- Heat oil to 325°F and fry chicken until cooked through (about 15 minutes)
- Increase heat to 350°F and fry again until extra crispy
- While chicken is frying, mix hot oil with all spice paste ingredients
- Brush or drizzle spice paste over fried chicken
- Serve on white bread with pickle chips
Where to Find the Best Nashville Hot Chicken
If you’re planning a trip to Nashville (which I HIGHLY recommend for any food lover), these are the must-visit spots for authentic Nashville hot chicken:
- Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack – The original! Where it all began in the 1930s
- Hattie B’s – A newer establishment that’s gained massive popularity
- Bolton’s Spicy Chicken & Fish – Known for their extra-hot offerings
- Pepperfire – Great for Nashville hot chicken tenders
But don’t worry if you can’t make it to Nashville – the dish has become so popular that you can find versions of it across the country, and even international chains like KFC have created their own interpretations.
Creative Ways to Enjoy Nashville Hot Chicken
The traditional presentation is amazing, but Nashville hot chicken has evolved beyond just the classic serving style:
- Nashville hot chicken and waffles
- Nashville hot chicken tacos
- Nashville hot chicken pizza
- Nashville hot chicken mac and cheese
- Nashville hot chicken salad (for when you’re trying to be “healthy”)
Why Nashville Hot Chicken Has Exploded in Popularity
In the last 10-15 years, Nashville hot chicken has gone from a local specialty to a nationwide phenomenon. Why? A few reasons:
- The Challenge Factor: People love attempting to eat the spiciest version
- Authentic Regional Cuisine: Food lovers seek out authentic regional dishes
- Social Media Appeal: The bright color and extreme reactions make for great content
- Celebrity Endorsements: Food celebrities and chefs have embraced it
- Chain Adoption: Fast food chains introducing their versions has increased awareness
Final Thoughts: The Burning Question
So what IS different about Nashville hot chicken? Everything! From its revenge-inspired origin story to its unique preparation method, from its oil-based spice paste to its traditional serving style with white bread and pickles.
But what truly sets Nashville hot chicken apart is the experience – that perfect balance of pain and pleasure, the endorphin rush that keeps you coming back for more despite your burning lips. It’s not just food; it’s a culinary adventure that challenges you to test your limits.
Have you tried Nashville hot chicken? What heat level did you brave? Drop a comment below and let us know about your experience with this fiery Southern classic!
Disclaimer: We at Bradley’s Fine Diner take no responsibility for hallucinations caused by attempting the “Shut the Cluck Up” heat level. Proceed with caution and maybe have some milk nearby.
So, what is Nashville hot chicken?
Nashville hot chickens fiery history lives on today as a beloved dish in Nashville and beyond. The dish starts with brining chicken in hot sauce, buttermilk, and sometimes pickle juice, before breading and frying it. The secret to this recipe is its seasoning — a spice blend with a bit of brown sugar and plenty of ground cayenne gets mixed with hot oil and then brushed onto the chicken. Then, the chicken is usually loaded onto a sandwich with pickles and often coleslaw, although traditionally, you may find it served on white bread.
Although you can order Nashville hot chicken to your spice liking, the truly spicy ones are not for the faint of heart. In fact, Anthony Bourdain said during his Nashville hot chicken sandwich experience, “Oh, oh that hurts. I think Im hallucinating.” The ground cayenne pepper in this recipe is likely to blame, as cayenne peppers register at a Scoville level 12 times hotter than lowly jalapenos. However, many enjoy the painful heat from peppers, as the chemical compound capsaicin simulates a burning pain response, which triggers the release of feel-good endorphins.
Two Brits try REAL Nashville Hot Chicken for the first time!
FAQ
What is Nashville hot chicken?
Hot chicken (or Nashville hot chicken) is a type of fried chicken that is a local specialty of Nashville, Tennessee, in the United States.
Is Nashville Hot Chicken Spicy?
Nashville Hot chicken is known for its spicy flavor profile, which comes from the use of hot sauce and other spicy ingredients. The level of heat in Nashville Hot chicken can vary depending on the recipe and the individual’s tolerance for spice. Some versions of the dish may be relatively mild, while others may be extremely hot.
Why is Nashville hot chicken so popular?
Like the name implies, hot chicken is, well, hot. Most places offer various levels of spiciness, but even the most mild variations are going to pack the heat. And while the spice is undeniable, it’s not exactly what makes Nashville hot chicken so appealing.
How hot is Nashville hot chicken?
On the Scoville scale, which measures the heat level of a pepper or spice, Nashville Hot chicken typically ranges from 30,000 to 60,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). For comparison, a jalapeno pepper has an SHU rating of 2,500 to 8,000, while a habanero pepper has an SHU rating of 100,000 to 350,000.
Does Nashville hot chicken have a story?
Something as flavorful and spicy as Nashville hot chicken shouldn’t have a boring origin story — so thankfully it does not! As the legend goes, there once was a tall, handsome man with “beautiful, wavy hair” named Thornton Prince. According to his great-niece André Prince Jeffries, he was “totally a ladies’ man” with “plenty of women.”
Is Nashville hot chicken the south’s ‘it’ dish?
In fact, some consider Nashville hot chicken the South’s “it” dish. If you’re just now getting to know about this culinary trend, you may be fascinated to find that Nashville’s hot chicken history is as wild as its flavor. From the kitchens of east Nashville to international sensation, this hot lil’ bird has come a long way.
What makes Nashville hot chicken different?
Unlike other spicy chicken, Nashville hot chicken is not just about the heat. It’s also about crispy exterior, juicy meat, and signature cayenne-based rub.
Is Nashville hot just buffalo sauce?
No, Nashville hot and Buffalo sauce are not the same; Buffalo sauce is a tangy, buttery, cayenne-based sauce, while Nashville hot is a spiced oil-based paste with a flavor profile that includes sweet components like brown sugar for a richer, deeper taste and a different heat.
Is Nashville hot chicken spicier than Buffalo chicken?
Yes, Nashville hot chicken is generally much hotter and has a different flavor profile than Buffalo chicken; Nashville hot chicken uses a cayenne-pepper-and-oil paste that is applied before or during cooking for a deep, fiery heat with sweet and savory notes, while Buffalo sauce is a tangy, butter-based, wet sauce made with vinegar and cayenne pepper, offering a tarter, less intense heat.
What does Nashville chicken taste like?
The result is, well, hot, obviously. In the case of this recipe, the cayenne (along with some chili powder, paprika, sugar, and garlic) is combined with hot oil from the fryer. The resulting chili oil has bright, almost fruity flavors from the bloomed chilies. It does not taste like boring dried spices.