Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich

History

Nashville hot chicken traces back to Prince's Hot Chicken Shack, founded by Thornton Prince in the 1930s — legend has it a scorned girlfriend doused his fried chicken in hot spices as revenge, and he loved it so much he built a restaurant around it. The sandwich form exploded nationally when chains like Hattie B's and eventually fast-food giants brought the cayenne-paste-slathered bird to the masses in the 2010s.

Ingredients

• Brioche bun
• Boneless skinless chicken breast or thigh
• Buttermilk (for marinade)
• Cayenne pepper paste (cayenne, brown sugar, garlic powder, paprika, lard or oil)
• All-purpose flour (for dredge)
• Dill pickle chips
• Coleslaw
• Hot sauce (optional)

How to Make

1. 1Marinate chicken in buttermilk, hot sauce and salt for at least 4 hours or overnight.
2. 2Mix cayenne paste: combine cayenne, brown sugar, garlic powder, smoked paprika and a ladle of hot frying oil.
3. 3Dredge marinated chicken in seasoned flour, shaking off excess.
4. 4Fry in oil at 350°F (175°C) for 12–15 minutes until cooked through and golden.
5. 5Immediately brush the hot fried chicken generously with the cayenne paste.
6. 6Toast the brioche bun lightly on a griddle.
7. 7Layer coleslaw on the bottom bun, place the hot chicken on top, crown with dill pickle chips and the top bun. Serve immediately.

Known for it

• 
  Prince's Hot Chicken ShackNashville, TN