If you’re craving a bold, smoky twist on creamy indulgence, this Nashville Hot Smoked Cream Cheese Recipe is exactly what your kitchen needs. Imagine velvety cream cheese infused with spicy Nashville hot chicken seasoning, gently smoked to perfection, then crowned with tender pieces of hot chicken and tangy pickles. It’s a flavor-packed powerhouse that’s irresistible whether you’re serving it as a party dip, a game-day snack, or a show-stopping appetizer. Let me take you through this fun, fiery, and downright delicious dish that’s sure to become a new favorite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of the Nashville Hot Smoked Cream Cheese Recipe lies in its simplicity and quality of ingredients. Each component plays a special role in building layers of taste and texture—from the smoky richness of the cream cheese to the kick of hot chicken seasoning and the crunchy contrast of pickles and chips.
- 2 x 8oz Blocks of Cream Cheese: The creamy foundation that softens beautifully with smoking, perfect for soaking up flavors.
- 1 tbsp Nashville Hot Chicken Seasoning: This spicy blend brings the signature heat and depth to the dish.
- 6 Tenders of Local Nashville Hot Chicken, chopped: Adds hearty, flavorful bites that elevate the cream cheese’s smoky base.
- 2 tbsp Pickles, chopped: Offers a refreshing tang and crisp texture to balance the richness.
- 1 tbsp Honey for garnish: A sweet drizzle that mellows the heat and adds a beautiful finishing touch.
- 1.5 tsp Canola Oil: Helps the seasoning stick and promotes a nice crust on the cream cheese.
- Thick Cut Wavy Chips for dipping: The perfect crunchy vehicle to scoop up all the smoky, spicy goodness.
How to Make Nashville Hot Smoked Cream Cheese Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Smoker and Cream Cheese
Start by preheating your smoker to 275°F using indirect heat—this low and slow approach lets the cream cheese soak up that wonderful smoky flavor without melting away. For extra aroma, toss in a handful of wood chips or chunks, like hickory or apple, to infuse a subtle fruity smoke. Meanwhile, score the top side of each cream cheese block with a crosshatch pattern—this simple step increases the surface area and helps the seasoning penetrate deep into the cheese.
Step 2: Season and Set in the Skillet
Give each cream cheese block a light coat of canola oil to help the seasoning stick and promote a slight crust during cooking. Next, sprinkle your Nashville Hot Chicken Seasoning generously onto the scored side. Grease a cast iron skillet well, then nestle the cream cheese blocks side by side, scored side up at the center. This method anchors them and collects any delicious melting juices for an extra tasty dip base.
Step 3: Smoke the Cream Cheese
Place the skillet in your smoker and let it work its magic for about 1.5 hours. You’ll know it’s ready when the edges become soft and creamy, almost melting but still holding form. This gentle smoke infuses the cheese with flavor while keeping a luscious, spreadable texture that’s absolute heaven.
Step 4: Add Hot Chicken and Pickles
About 20 minutes before the cream cheese is finished smoking, scatter your chopped Nashville hot chicken tenders around the blocks in the skillet. This step warms the chicken through and lets its savory heat mingle with the cheese. Top the cream cheese itself with the chopped pickles, adding a burst of briny crunch as the last smoky minutes tick away.
Step 5: Finish and Serve with Style
Once the smoking is done, carefully remove the skillet. Drizzle the entire dish with a bit of honey to balance the spice with gentle sweetness. Serve immediately alongside thick cut wavy chips for dipping, and prepare for nonstop compliments as everyone digs in.
How to Serve Nashville Hot Smoked Cream Cheese Recipe
Garnishes
The simple drizzle of honey is the star garnish here, tempering the heat with a touch of natural sweetness. For an added pop of color and freshness, sprinkle chopped green onions or fresh herbs like cilantro on top. These little extras brighten the plate and add another flavor dimension.
Side Dishes
You can keep things casual and crowd-pleasing with a platter of crunchy veggies—think celery sticks, cucumber slices, or colorful bell peppers. A side of pickled jalapeños or a crisp coleslaw also pairs beautifully, bringing additional acidity and crunch that complements the creamy richness.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, turn the Nashville Hot Smoked Cream Cheese Recipe into stuffed jalapeño poppers by chilling the smoked cheese, then spooning it into halved jalapeños before crisping them under the broiler. Alternatively, spread the cooled cheese onto toasted baguette slices and top with the hot chicken and pickles for a stunning appetizer platter. The possibilities to get creative and wow your guests are endless.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftovers tightly covered in the refrigerator, ideally in the skillet or transferred to an airtight container. The flavors meld overnight and actually deepen, making for a fantastic next-day snack or addition to sandwiches.
Freezing
While cream cheese can be frozen, be aware that the texture may change slightly upon thawing, becoming a bit crumbly. If you wish to freeze, wrap the cream cheese blocks tightly with plastic wrap and foil to avoid freezer burn. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating gently.
Reheating
To reheat leftover Nashville Hot Smoked Cream Cheese, place it back into a greased oven-safe dish or skillet and warm at a low temperature (around 275°F) until soft and melty again. Avoid microwave reheating when possible to preserve texture and smoky flavor.
FAQs
Can I make the Nashville Hot Smoked Cream Cheese Recipe without a smoker?
Absolutely! You can replicate some of the smoky flavor by using a grill with wood chips or even adding a few drops of liquid smoke to the seasoning. Baking the cream cheese in the oven will also work; just keep an eye so it doesn’t melt completely.
What kind of wood chips should I use for smoking?
Fruit woods like apple or cherry add a mild, slightly sweet smoke that pairs beautifully with cream cheese and hot chicken. Hickory or oak provide a stronger smoke for a bolder taste. It’s all about your personal preference.
Is Nashville Hot Chicken seasoning very spicy?
It varies by brand, but the classic Nashville Hot seasoning brings a moderate to robust heat with flavors of cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic, and other warming spices. If you prefer milder heat, start with less seasoning and increase to taste.
Can I substitute cream cheese with another cheese?
Cream cheese is ideal because of its smooth, spreadable texture when smoked, but you could experiment with ricotta or mascarpone. Keep in mind these cheeses have different melting points and flavors that will change the overall result.
How long does the Nashville Hot Smoked Cream Cheese Recipe keep after cooking?
When properly stored in the refrigerator, it stays fresh for about 3 to 4 days. Enjoy it within this window for the best texture and flavor experience.
Final Thoughts
This Nashville Hot Smoked Cream Cheese Recipe is such a delight to make and share. Its vibrant flavors and creamy texture make it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for gatherings, game days, or just a cozy night in. Don’t hesitate—grab your ingredients, fire up the smoker, and treat yourself to this luscious, spicy, smoky treat that’s bursting with personality and warmth.
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Nashville Hot Smoked Cream Cheese Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
Description
This Nashville Hot Smoked Cream Cheese is a smoky, spicy, and creamy dish perfect for sharing as a main course or appetizer. Infused with the iconic Nashville hot chicken seasoning, smoked to perfection, and topped with chopped hot chicken and pickles, it offers a delightful blend of bold flavors and textures, ideal for dipping with thick cut wavy chips.
Ingredients
Cream Cheese Base
- 2 x 8oz blocks of cream cheese
- 1 tbsp Nashville Hot Chicken seasoning
- 1.5 tsp canola oil
Toppings
- 6 tenders of local Nashville Hot Chicken, chopped
- 2 tbsp pickles, chopped
- 1 tbsp honey for garnish
For Serving
- Thick cut wavy chips for dipping
Instructions
- Preheat the smoker: Set your smoker to 275°F for indirect cooking. Add your choice of wood chips or wood chunks to infuse extra smoky flavor into the dish.
- Prepare the cream cheese: Create a crosshatch scoring pattern on one side of each cream cheese block to allow better smoke penetration and seasoning absorption.
- Season the cheese: Brush the scored sides of the cream cheese with canola oil, then generously coat with Nashville Hot Chicken seasoning.
- Set up the skillet: Grease a cast iron skillet to prevent sticking. Place the cream cheese blocks, scored side up, close together in the center of the skillet.
- Smoke the cream cheese: Place the skillet in the preheated smoker and cook for 1.5 hours, or until the cream cheese edges are very soft and infused with smoke.
- Prepare toppings: While the cream cheese smokes, chop the Nashville Hot Chicken tenders into bite-sized pieces and dice the pickles.
- Add toppings to skillet: About 20 minutes before the cream cheese is done, scatter the chopped hot chicken around the cheese in the skillet and sprinkle the diced pickles on top of the cream cheese.
- Finish cooking: Continue smoking until the cream cheese is fully softened and the toppings are heated through. Remove the skillet from the smoker.
- Serve: Drizzle honey over the top of the cheesy mixture to add a sweet contrast to the spicy heat. Serve immediately with thick cut wavy chips for dipping.
Notes
- Use local Nashville Hot Chicken tenders for the most authentic flavor; if unavailable, spicy fried chicken tenders can be a substitute.
- Adjust the amount of hot chicken seasoning depending on your desired heat level.
- The scoring pattern on the cream cheese helps it absorb smoky flavor and seasoning better.
- Maintain smoker temperature consistently at 275°F for even cooking.
- Honey drizzle provides a balance of sweetness against the spicy heat, but can be omitted for a purely savory experience.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Smoking
- Cuisine: American
