Nashville Hot Chicken Sauce – The sauce that bites you back!

Nashville hot chicken sauce is known for its bold and spicy flavor profile. It typically combines the heat from cayenne pepper with a rich and buttery base that brings tongue-searing ATOMIC heat to your dinner table.

Air Fryer Nashville hot chicken tenders on a board with ranch dressing.

This rich and fiery sauce often has a balance of savory and tangy elements, achieved through ingredients like garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. The result is a mouthwatering combination of heat and savory notes that make Nashville hot chicken a flavorful and iconic dish. Of course, the spice level can be adjusted to personal preference, but the overall taste is spicy. If you enjoy a sweet note, you can always add a little sweetness to the overall heat by adding a tablespoon of brown sugar or honey to your sauce.

WARNING: Nashville Chicken Hot Sauce isn’t for Everyone

Before we get too far, let’s talk about the kids for a second. If you’re looking for a kid or family-friendly option – try these Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tenders or Bacon-Cheddar Chicken Tenders instead. My kiddo just loves them! If your family prefers a sweet chicken sauce try these Sticky Honey Chicken Tenders. The Nashville Hot Chicken Sauce is much too hot for the youngins or even adults with an aversion to spicy food. This one is for the peeps in the house who have an affinity for all things SPICY!

Do you make your travel plans around where you can also experience great local food? We do, too!

Recently, on our way to Tennessee, we made our way over to Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack in Asheville, NC which has some of the best Hot Chicken this side of Nashville.

Hot and delicious, this chicken will get your taste buds’ attention — as the Nashville Hot Chicken Sauce bites you back! I’m a spice wimp when it comes to spicy-hot foods, but even still I’m addicted to Hot Chicken. My husband who is a spice-lover was sweating over these spicy chicken tenders – and he didn’t even get the XXHot Sauce!!

Ingredients

Light up your taste buds with this Nashville Hot Chicken Sauce! A fiery blend of butter and spices for the perfect spicy kick to your next meal.

  • Vegetable oil: Forms the base of the sauce.
  • Butter: Adds richness and a smooth texture to balance the heat.
  • Paprika: Contributes a smoky and earthy undertone.
  • Cayenne Pepper: Amplifies the heat and intensifies the spiciness.
  • Garlic Powder: Enhances the savory profile with a hint of garlic flavor.
  • Onion Powder: Adds depth and complements the overall taste.
  • Salt: Balances flavors and heightens the overall seasoning.
  • Black Pepper: Brings a mild heat and additional depth to the sauce.
Air Fryer Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders piled high on a stack of white bread.

How to make Nashville Hot Chicken Sauce

Creating Nashville Hot Chicken Sauce is quick and simple! You can make it from scratch or spice up your favorite wing sauce. It’s just that easy! Now your homemade Nashville Hot Chicken Sauce will always be at the ready to spice up any dish!

  1. Combine the Nashville Hot Sauce ingredients in a bowl and set aside.
  2. Heat the vegetable oil in a small saucepan [paid link] and when it is very hot, add it to the spice mix, whisking until smooth. It will sizzle briefly when you add it to the spices.

PRO KITCHEN TIP: A shortcut to this sauce is to add the Nashville Hot Sauce ingredients into Frank’s Red Hot Wing Sauce [paid link]. This is a sauce we already keep on hand and starts with the same basic ingredients used in the recipe. Instructions for making it from scratch or the shortcut method are both included in the recipe.

Why this Recipe Works

  1. Balanced Heat: The combination of hot sauce and cayenne pepper creates a well-balanced and customizable level of spiciness.
  2. Richness and Smoothness: The addition of butter adds a luxurious and smooth texture, balancing the heat and enhancing the overall mouthfeel.
  3. Complex Flavor Profile: The blend of spices, including paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder, results in a multi-dimensional flavor that goes beyond mere spiciness, making the sauce deliciously distinctive.

Recipe tips and kitchen tricks

  1. Adjust Spice to Taste: Tailor the spiciness by tweaking the amount of cayenne pepper and hot sauce to match your preference.
  2. Simmer for Depth: Allowing the sauce to simmer for 5-7 minutes enhances the flavors, creating a more robust and well-developed taste.

Recipe Variations

  1. Sweet Heat Twist: Add a tablespoon of brown sugar, honey, or maple syrup for a sweet and spicy variation.
  2. Smoky Infusion: Incorporate a teaspoon of liquid smoke for a smoky undertone, enhancing the overall flavor.
  3. Citrus Zing: Squeeze fresh lime or lemon juice into the sauce for a citrusy kick, balancing the richness and adding a refreshing element.

Serving Suggestions

  1. Classic Hot Chicken: Brush the sauce generously over fried chicken pieces for the iconic Nashville hot chicken experience.
  2. Spicy Chicken Sandwich: Slather the sauce on a crispy chicken sandwich for a fiery and flavorful kick.
  3. Dipping Delight: Use the sauce as a zesty dip for chicken tenders, wings, or even vegetable sticks.
  4. Taco Topping: Drizzle the sauce over tacos or burritos to add a spicy and savory element to your Mexican-inspired dishes.
  5. Buffalo Cauliflower Bites: Toss roasted cauliflower in the sauce for a vegetarian twist on the classic buffalo wing flavor.

What to serve with Nashville Hot Sauce

Bourbon Glazed Brussels Sprouts:

  1. Jalapeño Mac and Cheese: Spice up traditional mac and cheese by adding diced jalapeños for a grown-up twist.
  2. Chipotle Mashed Potatoes: Infuse mashed potatoes with smoky chipotle peppers for a flavorful and adult-friendly side.
  3. Bourbon Glazed Brussels Sprouts: Roast Brussels sprouts and finish them with a bourbon glaze for a sophisticated and savory accompaniment.
Close up of Air Fryer Nashville Hot CHicken Tenders piled high on white bread

 Storing, freezing, and reheating instructions

Storing:

  • Store leftover Nashville hot chicken sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
  • It can be refrigerated for up to 1-2 weeks.

Freezing:

  • Allow the sauce to cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container.
  • Freeze for up to 2-3 months.

Reheating:

  • Thaw frozen sauce in the refrigerator overnight.
  • Reheat on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through.
  • Adjust consistency with a splash of hot sauce or water if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I adjust the spice level?

Absolutely! Feel free to tweak the amount of cayenne pepper and hot sauce to match your preferred spiciness.

How long does the sauce last in the fridge?

Stored in an airtight container, the sauce stays fresh for 1-2 weeks in the refrigerator.

Can I freeze the Nashville hot chicken sauce?

Yes, you can freeze it for up to 2-3 months. Ensure it’s in a freezer-safe container after cooling.

What dishes can I use this sauce for?

It’s versatile! Perfect for brushing on fried chicken, as a dip for tenders, topping tacos, or even enhancing a chicken sandwich.

Angle shot of Air Fryer Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders

Does Nashville Hot Chicken Taste Good?

We think so! But if you’re like me and need some help pushing back the heat, serve these spicy chicken tenders with a cooling ranch or homemade blue cheese dressing. It’s amazing.

List 3 each for Wine, Cocktail, and Beer Pairings

Wine Pairings:

  1. Riesling: The slight sweetness of Riesling complements the spiciness of the sauce, creating a harmonious balance.
  2. Zinfandel: Zinfandel’s bold fruitiness and peppery notes can stand up to the heat, making it a great pairing.
  3. Rosé: A dry Rosé with its refreshing acidity can contrast and enhance the flavors of the hot chicken sauce.

Cocktail Pairings:

  1. Spicy Margarita: The heat from the sauce pairs well with the bold flavors of a Spicy Margarita, creating a delightful combination.
  2. Bloody Mary: The savory and spicy notes in the Bloody Mary complement the sauce’s flavor profile.
  3. Mule Variation: A Moscow Mule or a Kentucky Mule with ginger beer can add a refreshing kick to balance the spiciness.

Beer Pairings:

  1. IPA (India Pale Ale): The hoppy bitterness of an IPA can cut through the heat, providing a flavorful contrast.
  2. Wheat Beer: A light and crisp wheat beer can offer a refreshing balance to the spicy chicken sauce.
  3. Brown Ale: The maltiness of a brown ale can complement the richness of the sauce without overwhelming it.
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Air Fryer Nashville Hot Chicken

Air Fryer Nashville Hot Chicken Sauce

Ronda Eagle | Kitchen Dreaming
Nashville hot chicken sauce is known for its bold and spicy flavor profile. It typically combines the heat from cayenne pepper with a rich and buttery base that brings tongue-searing ATOMIC heat to your dinner table.
5 from 3 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 258 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil [See Note 1]
  • 1 – 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper – more or less to taste
  • 1 teaspoon paprika , regular or sweet
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 to 1 teaspoon salt – more or less to taste

Instructions
 

  • Combine the Nashville Hot Sauce ingredients in a bowl. Heat the vegetable oil in a small saucepan [paid link] and when it is very hot, add it to the spice mix, whisking until smooth. It will sizzle briefly when you add it to the spices.

Notes

  1. A shortcut to this sauce is to add the hot sauce spices (minus the oil) into 1/2 cup of Frank’s Red Hot Wing Sauce. This sauce starts with the same basic ingredients, including oil.

Nutrition

Serving: 1oz servingCalories: 258kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 1gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 16gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.2gSodium: 293mgPotassium: 101mgFiber: 1gSugar: 0.5gVitamin A: 1807IUVitamin C: 3mgVitamin E: 4mgVitamin K: 54µgCalcium: 9mgFolate: 5µgIron: 0.5mgZinc: 0.2mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

5 thoughts on “Nashville Hot Chicken Sauce – The sauce that bites you back!”

  1. This chicken is RIDICULOUS, it is SO GOOD! The only thing I added was a sprinkle of a bbq potato chip seasoning mix that I made, bc the hot chicken takeout that I like does that. So the crispy panko, the seasoning, & your ingenious sauce all together made this the BEST. I ate it with mashed cauli-potato instead of on a sandwich, & it was so good that I made it 3x in a row in one week haha! Thank you!

    Reply
  2. I appreciated that you told me how to scale the heat up and down to satisfy the people around my table. We’ve been wanting to try hot chicken but we’re afraid of ending up with water food too hot to eat. This was perfect!

    Reply
  3. Love your hack for starting with Franks Buffalo Wing sauce. That really made this sauce easy. We liked that you could adjust the heat level by adding more or less cayenne. I like less heat and the hubs likes a lt more so we added a ton more cayenne pepper to his sauce. You weren’t kidding, these tenders made him sweat. But it’s also flavorful because you’re not tasting just the cayenne in the sauce.

    Reply

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