Nashville Hot Chicken

Fried chicken has no right to be this good - it’s spicy, sweet, and smoky!

At some point, I would love to have Nashville Hot Chicken in Nashville. We live in East TN and I don’t think I’ve even had any here. I’ve always made homemade hot chicken. Regardless, my family really loves it. The hot sauce is spicy but also sweet and a little smoky too. This recipe is slightly different than one I’ve made before because of the fantastic spice rub. It really adds so much depth of flavor to the chicken!

What you need:

For the Spice Rub:

• 1 1/2 Tbsp. salt

• 1 Tbsp. paprika

• 1 Tbsp. onion powder

• 1 Tbsp. garlic powder

• 1 Tbsp. chili powder

• 2 tsp. ground black pepper

• 1 tsp. oregano

• 1 tsp. basil

• 1 tsp. cayenne pepper

For the Buttermilk Marinade:

• 2 cups buttermilk

• 2 bay leaves

For the Chicken:

• 4 lb bone-in chicken pieces (drumsticks, wings, split breasts, and thighs)

• Vegetable oil for frying

• 2 eggs

• 1 cup buttermilk

• 1/4 cup hot sauce

• 3 1/2 cups all purpose flour

• 1 Tbsp. baking powder

For the Nashville Hot Sauce:

• 2 Tbsp. hot sauce

• 1 Tbsp. cayenne pepper

• 2 Tbsp. brown sugar

• 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika

• 3/4 cup vegetable oil

• 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted

Directions:

1. For the Spice Rub: Whisk together all the ingredients for the Spice Rub. Remove 1 1/2 Tbsp. to a large bowl and set aside. Remove 1 tsp. to a medium bowl and set aside for after marinating.

2. For the Buttermilk Marinade: In large bowl with reserved 1 1/2 Tbsp. Spice Rub, add 2 cups buttermilk and bay leaves.

3. Add chicken and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 3 hours.

4. For the Nashville Hot Sauce: After marinating the chicken, combine all ingredients except butter for Nashville Hot Sauce together with reserved 1 tsp. Spice Rub in medium bowl.

5. For the Chicken: Combine 2 eggs, 1 cup buttermilk, and 1/4 cup hot sauce in a medium bowl.

6. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and remaining Spice Rub in a large bowl.

7. Dredge chicken in flour, buttermilk egg wash, and once again in flour.

8. Fry chicken in 3 inches of vegetable oil heated to 375 degrees a few pieces at a time until cooked through, flipping if needed. Then remove to a paper towel lined plate.

9. While chicken is frying, whisk melted butter into Nashville hot sauce until smooth.

10. Let chicken cool slightly then brush with Nashville hot sauce - as much or little as desired.

Recipe from Carlsbad Cravings