Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders
These Nashville hot chicken tenders are crispy, juicy, and coated in the signature spicy cayenne oil glaze. A bold Southern classic that's easy to make at home and ready in about 40 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken tenders
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1½ cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Vegetable oil for frying
- ½ cup hot frying oil
- 2 –3 teaspoons cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- White bread slices for serving
- Dill pickle slices for serving
Instructions
- In a bowl combine chicken tenders, buttermilk, hot sauce, and salt. Marinate at least 30 minutes.
- In a shallow dish mix flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt.
- Remove chicken from marinade and dredge in flour mixture. Press coating firmly onto the chicken.
- Heat oil in a skillet or Dutch oven to 350°F.
- Fry chicken tenders for 5–6 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a wire rack.
- In a bowl whisk together hot frying oil, cayenne pepper, brown sugar, paprika, and garlic powder.
- Brush or drizzle the spicy oil sauce over the fried chicken tenders.
- Serve hot on white bread with pickle slices.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken in buttermilk keeps it tender and juicy.
- Maintain frying oil at 350°F for the crispiest coating.
- Let breaded chicken rest briefly before frying so the coating adheres.
- Adjust cayenne pepper to control the heat level.
- Serve immediately for the best crispy texture.