spicy nashville hot chicken tenders (Printable)

Crispy, spicy chicken tenders bring Nashville flavor and heat with every delicious bite.

# What you'll need:

→ For the Marinade

01 - 500 grams chicken breast tenders
02 - 240 ml buttermilk
03 - 2 teaspoons kosher salt
04 - 1 teaspoon black pepper

→ For the Coating

05 - 220 grams all-purpose flour
06 - 1 tablespoon paprika
07 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
09 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
10 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt

→ For Frying

11 - 1 liter vegetable oil

→ For Nashville Hot Sauce

12 - 60 ml vegetable oil
13 - 3 tablespoons cayenne pepper
14 - 1 tablespoon brown sugar
15 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
16 - 1 teaspoon paprika
17 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ For Serving

18 - 220 grams sliced dill pickles
19 - 4 slices thick-cut white bread

# Method:

01 - Combine buttermilk, kosher salt, and black pepper in a large mixing bowl. Submerge chicken tenders and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to tenderize and flavor.
02 - Whisk together flour, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, onion powder, and salt in a separate bowl to form a uniform coating blend.
03 - Remove marinated chicken from the buttermilk, shaking off excess liquid. Coat each tender thoroughly in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing lightly to adhere.
04 - Fill a deep heavy-bottomed pan with vegetable oil. Heat to 180°C (355°F), monitoring temperature with a thermometer for even frying results.
05 - Carefully add coated chicken tenders to the hot oil in batches, avoiding overcrowding. Fry for 4–5 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Transfer to a wire rack over paper towels.
06 - In a heatproof bowl, whisk together cayenne pepper, brown sugar, garlic powder, paprika, and salt. Ladle 60 ml of hot frying oil over the spice mixture and stir to blend.
07 - Brush or drizzle the hot sauce over fried tenders immediately for maximum flavor infusion.
08 - Arrange chicken tenders on slices of thick-cut white bread. Garnish with sliced dill pickles and serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Crispy coating that stays crunchy
  • Perfect level of heat with easy spice control
  • Requires only everyday supermarket ingredients
  • Ready in under an hour with minimal prep
02 -
  • Packed with protein for hearty meals
  • Bold heat level but easy to adjust for milder palates
  • Stays crispy even after saucing
03 -
  • Always check your oil temperature and avoid crowding the pan for perfect crunchy crust
  • Do not rush the marinade step The spicy oil is the key finish so do not skip brushing every inch Serve hot for best experience

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