It’s one of the “hot” things on the food scene right now. Nashville Style Hot Chicken. Read on to learn how to make it at home.
The phenomenon of “Hot Chicken” began in Nashville, TN. In case you don’t know, hot chicken is basically fried chicken that is then dipped in a vat of hot sauce made from spices and oil. Some places will then add a shake of even more hot spices on top of that. The most well known source for hot chicken is probably “Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack”, but I’ve become a fan of Bolton’s Spicy Chicken and Fish, just because it’s the first place I had the dish. This image is from July 2014, when we were passing through.
A few weeks ago, I headed down to Southern, a relatively new establishment in St. Louis. They’re right next to the famous BBQ place, Pappy’s Smokehouse, which is only like the best ‘cue in St. Louis, and nationally known. Southern serves up “Hot Chicken”. with all the southern sides you’d expect. I got the “medium” heat level, which was pretty good, but not as crazy hot as Bolton’s.
I decided to make my own hot chicken and shoot images for my Stocksy United portfolio. I read several recipes, and then just kind of winged it. So, here you go.
Nashville Style Hot Chicken
- one whole chicken cut up
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Wash and dry chicken parts. Combine salt, pepper and garlic powder. Rub all over chicken and let sit in the refrigerator overnight to dry brine.
- two eggs
- 1 pint buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 2 cups flour, more if needed
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- vegetable oil
Whisk eggs with buttermilk and hot sauce in a bowl. In another bowl, combing flour and garlic powder. In a cast iron skillet, pour one inch or so of oil. Heat oil until a drop of water makes it spit. Dredge chicken part in flour mixture first, then into egg mixture and back into flour. Gently lay into oil. Oil should come up chicken halfway or more on the side. For a large breast, wait ten minutes and flip. For smaller pieces, 5-6 minutes and flip.
- 4 tablespoons cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Combine spices. Add a shake of salt and pepper. Carefully take 1/3 – 1/2 cup of hot oil from the skillet and add to spices. Mix thoroughly. Add fried chicken part, and spoon hot sauce over. Serve with sweet pickles and white bread to soak up the sauce.
So, until you go to the store to get yourself a chicken, enjoy these images from my Hot Chicken series at Stocksy United. Thanks!
