Description
Sizzling Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich blends fiery southern spice with sweet honey drizzle, creating a flavor explosion that tantalizes taste buds. Crispy, golden chicken nestled between soft buns promises a culinary adventure you won’t forget.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Protein:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (pounded to even thickness)
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 eggs (whisked)
Breading and Dry Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
Sauce and Additional Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 4 brioche buns (toasted)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/2 cup pickles
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken for a flavor-packed marinade by whisking buttermilk with salt and pepper, then submerge chicken breasts completely, allowing them to soak in the refrigerator for at least 60 minutes or ideally overnight.
- Heat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and create a three-stage coating station: one bowl with whisked eggs, another with seasoned flour and panko mixture containing paprika and salt, positioning them for a thorough dredging process.
- Carefully coat each marinated chicken piece by first rolling in the flour mixture, then dipping into eggs, and finally returning to the flour blend to create a robust, textured exterior that promises crunchiness.
- Position the breaded chicken on a wire rack atop a baking sheet, lightly misting with cooking spray to encourage an even golden crust, then slide into the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, rotating midway to ensure uniform cooking until the internal temperature reaches a safe 165°F (75°C).
- Craft the signature Nashville hot sauce by gently melting butter and incorporating cayenne, paprika, garlic powder, brown sugar, and oil, stirring until the mixture transforms into a vibrant, spicy coating.
- Enhance brioche buns with a quick toasting to amplify their richness, then generously brush the perfectly baked chicken with the fiery sauce, creating a glistening, bold exterior.
- Construct the ultimate sandwich by placing the sauced chicken on the bottom bun, drizzling with golden honey, layering crisp pickles, and crowning with the top bun for a harmonious blend of heat, sweetness, and texture.
Notes
- Enhance the buttermilk marinade by adding hot sauce or garlic powder for deeper flavor complexity.
- Experiment with different flour types like cornmeal or almond flour for gluten-free alternatives and varied textures.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure precise chicken doneness without overcooking, maintaining juicy interior and crispy exterior.
- Customize heat levels by adjusting cayenne pepper quantity in hot sauce, catering to individual spice tolerance.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 61 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg