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Air Fryer Nashville Hot Chicken Recipe

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4.4 from 49 reviews

  • Author: Patricia
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Description

Air Fryer Nashville Hot Chicken is a flavorful, spicy dish that delivers the iconic Nashville heat without the need for deep frying. This recipe features juicy, tender boneless skinless chicken thighs soaked in a tangy buttermilk and hot sauce marinade, then double-coated in seasoned flour and air fried to crispy perfection. It’s topped with a rich, buttery Nashville hot sauce that adds a smoky, spicy kick, making it an irresistible weeknight meal.

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs (4-6 thighs depending on size)
  • ½ cup buttermilk
  • ¼ cup hot sauce
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature, beaten
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper (or to taste)
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp kosher salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • Olive oil spray

For the Nashville Sauce:

  • 8 tbsp salted butter
  • ¼ cup hot sauce
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper

Instructions

  1. Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine the buttermilk and ¼ cup hot sauce. Add the chicken thighs and toss well to coat. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to deeply infuse the chicken.
  2. Prepare the Flour Coating: In a shallow dish, whisk together the all-purpose flour, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp paprika, kosher salt, and black pepper until evenly mixed.
  3. Whisk the Eggs: In a separate bowl, whisk the two large eggs until well beaten and smooth.
  4. Double Coat the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off. Dredge each piece in the seasoned flour mixture to coat thoroughly. Next, dip each one into the beaten egg, then back into the flour mixture for a second coat. This double breading ensures a crispy, crunchy crust after air frying.
  5. Preheat and Arrange Chicken: Preheat your air fryer to 365°F (185°C). Arrange the coated chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding. Lightly spray the chicken pieces with olive oil spray to promote crispiness.
  6. Air Fry the Chicken: Cook the chicken at 365°F for 25-30 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time. The chicken should be golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure it is safely cooked and juicy inside.
  7. Make the Nashville Hot Sauce: While the chicken cooks, melt the 8 tablespoons of salted butter in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Whisk in ¼ cup hot sauce, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon paprika, and ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper until the sugar is dissolved and the sauce is well blended. Remove from heat and set aside.
  8. Rest and Serve: When done, transfer the chicken to a wire rack or baking sheet and let it rest for about 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. Drizzle the prepared Nashville hot sauce over the crispy chicken pieces before serving.
  9. Serving Suggestions: Serve the Nashville Hot Chicken with classic sides such as white bread slices, potato salad, coleslaw, french fries, macaroni and cheese, or biscuits to complete the meal.

Notes

  • Marinate the chicken overnight for the best flavor and tenderness.
  • Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for safety.
  • Adjust the cayenne pepper in the coating and the amount of hot sauce in the marinade or sauce to control heat level.
  • Lightly spraying the chicken with oil before air frying helps achieve a crispy crust similar to deep frying.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Air Frying
  • Cuisine: Southern American

Find it online: https://patriciarecipes.com/air-fryer-nashville-hot-chicken-recipe/