Nashville Chicken
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
3 hrs 20 mins
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Cook Time
10 mins
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Total Time
3 hrs 30 mins
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Servings
8 servings
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Calories
225 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Nashville Chicken
Description
Nashville Chicken uses boneless chicken breast tenders marinated in hot sauce, pickle juice, salt, and pepper to absorb flavor and tenderize the meat. The dredging process involves coating the chicken first in seasoned flour, then a buttermilk and egg wash mixture, and finally back in flour to achieve a crispy crust when cooked. The accompanying sauce blends cayenne pepper, dark brown sugar, chili powder, garlic powder, and paprika with olive oil, balancing spicy and sweet notes for a classic Nashville flavor profile. Air frying at 375 degrees allows the chicken tenders to cook evenly with a crisp exterior without excess oil.
This chicken is well suited as a main dish, served alone or alongside sides like coleslaw or fries. The tangy and spicy sauce also doubles as a dipping sauce enhancing the texture contrast between the juicy chicken and the crust.
The marinating step, done for at least an hour, aids in flavor infusion and moisture retention. Air frying is done in batches with a light coating of cooking spray to promote even browning. After coating, allowing the chicken to air dry for 10 minutes before cooking helps develop a crispier crust during air frying.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken breast tenders boneless
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper coarsely ground
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce
- 2 tablespoons pickle juice
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cups buttermilk
- cooking spray olive oil
Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 cup olive oil
Instructions
- In a large bowl, toss together the chicken, 1 tablespoon hot sauce, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, 1 tablespoons of pickle juice until well combined.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Pour the flour into a bowl and mix in remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.
- Whisk the eggs, buttermilk, and remaining tablespoon of hot sauce and pickle juice in a separate bowl.
- To dredge the chicken, first place it in the flour toss each piece to evenly coat.
- Then place it into the buttermilk mixture, and then back into the flour.
- Place the breaded chicken on a baking sheet in a single layer.
- Continue to finish the other tenders.
- Let air dry for 10 minutes.
- Set your Air Fryer to the chicken setting or 375 degrees and spray your basket with olive oil cooking spray.
- Place your tenders in the Air Fryer dish (in batches) in a single layer and lightly coat with cooking spray.
- Cook for 5-6 minutes or as your Air Fryer sets on its chicken settings. Then turn over the chicken and coat with cooking spray. Cook until golden brown 5-7 minutes longer.
Sauce:
- To make the hot spicy sauce, whisk together the spices, brown sugar, and 1/2 cup of olive oil until evenly combined.
- Immediately pour it over the fried chicken tenders.
- Serve with pickles.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 225 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 8 | |
| Calories | 225kcal | 11% |
| Carbohydrates | 17g | 6% |
| Protein | 27g | 54% |
| Fat | 5g | 8% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 101mg | 34% |
| Sodium | 555mg | 23% |
| Potassium | 507mg | 11% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 814IU | 16% |
| Vitamin C | 5mg | 6% |
| Calcium | 35mg | 4% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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