Air Fryer Nashville Hot Chicken
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
30 mins
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Additional Time
1 hr
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Total Time
1 hr 50 mins
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Servings
6 servings
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Calories
454 kcal
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Course
Main Course, Lunch
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Cuisine
American
Air Fryer Nashville Hot Chicken
Description
The chicken is marinated for at least one hour in a blend of dill pickle juice, hot pepper sauce, and salt, which both flavors the meat and tenderizes it. After dredging in seasoned flour, then a wet mixture of egg, buttermilk, pickle juice, and hot sauce, and again in flour, the tenders are air fried at 375-380 F in batches until crisp and golden on both sides, around 10-12 minutes total per batch.
The finishing spice mix combines olive oil, cayenne pepper, dark brown sugar, paprika, chili powder, and garlic powder to coat the fried chicken, delivering the signature Nashville heat with a touch of sweetness that tempers the heat. Dill pickle slices and burger buns are traditional accompaniments to balance the spice.
The recipe provides guidance to adjust the cayenne pepper quantity to levels from mild to super hot based on preference. It warns that the dish is quite spicy and should be served cautiously to children. Leftovers keep refrigerated for two to three days and reheat well in the air fryer or oven.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons dill pickle juice divided
- 2 tablespoons hot pepper sauce divided (Tabasco or Frank’s)
- 1 teaspoon salt divided
- 2 pounds chicken tenderloin or chicken breast strips
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 egg
- ½ cup buttermilk
- cooking spray or olive oil in a pump mister
- ½ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper (or adjust to your preferred level using the guide in the recipe notes)
- 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- dill pickles sliced
- burger buns if desired
Instructions
- In a shallow dish, combine 1 tablespoon pickle juice, 1 tablespoon hot sauce, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
- Add chicken and turn to coat.
- Refrigerate, covered for at least 1 hour. Drain chicken and discard the marinade.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375-380 F.
- In a shallow bowl, mix flour, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and the pepper.
- In another shallow bowl, whisk together the egg, buttermilk, remaining 1 tablespoon pickle juice, and 1 tablespoon hot sauce.
- Dip chicken in flour to coat both sides; shake off any excess.
- Dip in egg mixture, then again in flour mixture.
- Working in batches, arrange the chicken in a single layer on a well-greased tray in the air fryer basket; spritz with spray/oil.
- Cook until golden brown, 5-6 minutes.
- Turn and spritz with spray/oil. Cook additional 5-6 minutes or until second side is browned. Remove from the air fryer. Continue with additional batches until all the chicken is cooked.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, cayenne pepper, brown sugar, and seasonings.
- Pour over hot chicken and toss to coat.
- Serve with pickles on a bun.
Notes
- Adjust cayenne pepper to control heat: mild (2 tsp), medium (2 tbsp), hot (3 tbsp) according to your spice tolerance.
- Traditionally serve Nashville hot chicken with white bread slices or buns and dill pickles to help cut the heat.
- This recipe is quite spicy and should be served to children with caution.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.
- Reheat leftovers in the air fryer at 380°F for about 5 minutes or in a low oven.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 454 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 | |
| Calories | 454kcal | 23% |
| Carbohydrates | 22g | 7% |
| Protein | 36g | 72% |
| Fat | 24g | 37% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 15g | 75% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 126mg | 42% |
| Sodium | 717mg | 30% |
| Potassium | 678mg | 14% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 944IU | 19% |
| Vitamin C | 7mg | 8% |
| Calcium | 46mg | 5% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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