1Whisk marinade ingredients together in a small bowl. Place the chicken in a zipper-top bag and pour the marinade over the chicken. Seal the bag and rub to coat the chicken. Refrigerate 12 hours or overnight.
2Whisk marinade ingredients together in a small bowl. Place the chicken in a zipper-top bag and pour the marinade over the chicken. Seal the bag and rub to coat the chicken. Refrigerate 12 hours or overnight.
3Whisk marinade ingredients together in a small bowl. Place the chicken in a zipper-top bag and pour the marinade over the chicken. Seal the bag and rub to coat the chicken. Refrigerate 12 hours or overnight.
4You'll need three bowls. In one bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups flour, 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper and 2 teaspoons salt. In the second bowl, combine remaining 4 cups flour, 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper, 2 teaspoons salt, paprika and garlic powder. In the third bowl, whisk together buttermilk and hot sauce.
5You'll need three bowls. In one bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups flour, 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper and 2 teaspoons salt. In the second bowl, combine remaining 4 cups flour, 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper, 2 teaspoons salt, paprika and garlic powder. In the third bowl, whisk together buttermilk and hot sauce.
6You'll need three bowls. In one bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups flour, 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper and 2 teaspoons salt. In the second bowl, combine remaining 4 cups flour, 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper, 2 teaspoons salt, paprika and garlic powder. In the third bowl, whisk together buttermilk and hot sauce.
7Remove the chicken from the marinade and pat with paper towels to remove excess marinade. Discard the marinade.
8Remove the chicken from the marinade and pat with paper towels to remove excess marinade. Discard the marinade.
9Remove the chicken from the marinade and pat with paper towels to remove excess marinade. Discard the marinade.
10In a deep fryer or large, deep cast iron pot, heat at least 3 inches of vegetable oil to 335 degrees. Set a wire rack over a rimmed baking sheet. Depending on the size of your deep fryer or pot, you may need to fry in batches. If so, preheat oven to 175 degrees.
11In a deep fryer or large, deep cast iron pot, heat at least 3 inches of vegetable oil to 335 degrees. Set a wire rack over a rimmed baking sheet. Depending on the size of your deep fryer or pot, you may need to fry in batches. If so, preheat oven to 175 degrees.
12In a deep fryer or large, deep cast iron pot, heat at least 3 inches of vegetable oil to 335 degrees. Set a wire rack over a rimmed baking sheet. Depending on the size of your deep fryer or pot, you may need to fry in batches. If so, preheat oven to 175 degrees.
13Dredge each thigh in the first flour combination, then dip in the buttermilk mixture, then into the second flour combination.
14Dredge each thigh in the first flour combination, then dip in the buttermilk mixture, then into the second flour combination.
15Dredge each thigh in the first flour combination, then dip in the buttermilk mixture, then into the second flour combination.
16Carefully and slowly, place the chicken pieces in the hot oil. Fry for 16 to 18 minutes or until deep golden brown and a thermometer inserted into the center registers 165 to 170 degrees. Place chicken on the wire rack and place in the oven to keep warm if working in batches.
17Carefully and slowly, place the chicken pieces in the hot oil. Fry for 16 to 18 minutes or until deep golden brown and a thermometer inserted into the center registers 165 to 170 degrees. Place chicken on the wire rack and place in the oven to keep warm if working in batches.
18Carefully and slowly, place the chicken pieces in the hot oil. Fry for 16 to 18 minutes or until deep golden brown and a thermometer inserted into the center registers 165 to 170 degrees. Place chicken on the wire rack and place in the oven to keep warm if working in batches.
19Whisk together brown sugar, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika and chipotle chile powder in a heat-proof bowl. When chicken is cooked through, turn the heat off the oil and allow any particles to settle to the bottom for a few minutes. Then ladle out 3/4 cup of the frying oil in the small heatproof bowl with the spices and whisk together. Immediately before serving, brush each piece with the sauce. Stir to keep the spices from falling to the bottom of the bowl.
20Whisk together brown sugar, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika and chipotle chile powder in a heat-proof bowl. When chicken is cooked through, turn the heat off the oil and allow any particles to settle to the bottom for a few minutes. Then ladle out 3/4 cup of the frying oil in the small heatproof bowl with the spices and whisk together. Immediately before serving, brush each piece with the sauce. Stir to keep the spices from falling to the bottom of the bowl.
21Whisk together brown sugar, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika and chipotle chile powder in a heat-proof bowl. When chicken is cooked through, turn the heat off the oil and allow any particles to settle to the bottom for a few minutes. Then ladle out 3/4 cup of the frying oil in the small heatproof bowl with the spices and whisk together. Immediately before serving, brush each piece with the sauce. Stir to keep the spices from falling to the bottom of the bowl.
22Serve on white bread with dill pickle slices
23Serve on white bread with dill pickle slices
24Serve on white bread with dill pickle slices
Ingredients
2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 tablespoon chipotle chile powder
1 tablespoon chipotle chile powder
1 tablespoon chipotle chile powder
1.5 teaspoons salt
1.5 teaspoons salt
1.5 teaspoons salt
1 cup hot sauce (such as Tabasco or Frank's)
1 cup hot sauce (such as Tabasco or Frank's)
1 cup hot sauce (such as Tabasco or Frank's)
8 chicken thighs (about 4 pounds) on the bone with the skin
8 chicken thighs (about 4 pounds) on the bone with the skin
8 chicken thighs (about 4 pounds) on the bone with the skin
5.5 cups all-purpose flour
5.5 cups all-purpose flour
5.5 cups all-purpose flour
4 tablespoons cayenne pepper
4 tablespoons cayenne pepper
4 tablespoons cayenne pepper
4 teaspoons salt
4 teaspoons salt
4 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 cups full-fat buttermilk
2 cups full-fat buttermilk
2 cups full-fat buttermilk
1 cup hot sauce (such as Tabasco or Frank's)
1 cup hot sauce (such as Tabasco or Frank's)
1 cup hot sauce (such as Tabasco or Frank's)
3 inches vegetable oil
3 inches vegetable oil
3 inches vegetable oil
2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon chipotle chile powder
1 teaspoon chipotle chile powder
1 teaspoon chipotle chile powder
0.75 cup hot cooking oil
0.75 cup hot cooking oil
0.75 cup hot cooking oil
8 slices white bread
8 slices white bread
8 slices white bread
8 dill pickle slices
8 dill pickle slices
8 dill pickle slices
Equipment
Stainless Steel Mixing BowlsMeasuring Cups and SpoonsTongsCuisinart Deep FryerRimmed Sheet PanCooling Racks
Tips
If you’re unsure about the heat level, just back off the spices and hot sauce. You can always drizzle some extra hot sauce over the Nashville chicken or serve it on the side.
If you need to fry in batches, preheat an oven to 175 degrees to hold the chicken warm.
FREEZER-FRIENDLY: Wrap securely and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator then reheat in the oven at 350 degrees until heated through to 165 degrees in the thickest part