Ready to make a hot chicken sandwich that your family loves? That your friends will be begging you to bring to every party? Let’s take a deep dive into everything you need to know about cooking up the greatest Nashville hot chicken sandwich in the land.<\/p>\n\n\n There are a few non-negotiable tips I have for making a truly great fried chicken sandwich. I’m going to spill the beans on what you need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chicken thighs are the ideal cut of meat for Nashville hot chicken. They are juicy and tender, and when breaded, they fit perfectly on a bun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do not buy bone-in thighs with the skin on. You don’t want to be biting into a bone when you’re eating a sandwich.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can use chicken breasts to make Nashville hot chicken sandwiches, but they won’t be as tasty. Chicken breast is a leaner, less flavorful cut of meat than the thigh. If you use chicken breasts, you’ll have a sandwich that’s more dry and tough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also, chicken breasts from the supermarket are typically too big for a bun once the breading is applied. You’ll need to trim them down. Breasts work in a pinch, but for the ultimate hot chicken sandwich, buy thighs.<\/p>\n\n\n For thighs, you’re shooting for a temperature of 170\u00b0F. That’s the ideal temperature for dark poultry meat. Chicken breasts should be cooked to 160\u00b0F or 165\u00b0F internal temperature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A good instant-read thermometer is your best friend when cooking Nashville hot chicken sandwiches. It will allow you to pull the thighs from the hot oil at the right doneness temperature. It will also allow you to monitor the temperature of the frying oil. 360\u00b0F-375\u00b0F is the perfect temperature for frying the chicken.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Good food starts with good ingredients. Your hot chicken sandwiches will only be as tasty as the chicken you use to make them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I like Miller Amish Country Poultry chicken products. If those are available at your grocery store, grab them. If not, look for organic or farm-raised chickens. You’ll pay a couple of bucks more, but you’ll taste the difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Frying chicken thighs is a messy task. Get yourself set up for success before you start frying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While your frying oil is coming up to temperature, get your workspace ready. You’ll need to bread, season, and dredge the chicken. Have the ingredients in separate bowls and ready to go. I like to place the bowls on a sheet pan – any spills land on the pan, not my counter, and I stick the pan in the dishwasher for easy cleanup later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You could also line your cooking station with plastic wrap to keep the mess in check.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Enough of my tips – let’s get to cooking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These sandwiches are hot! I’d put them at a solid 6 on a scale of 1 to 10. Some of my Midwestern friends that I’ve served these bad boys wince in physical discomfort when biting into one. You can increase or decrease the spicy heat by adjusting the amounts of hot sauce and cayenne pepper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I don’t recommend making these in an air fryer. Nashville hot chicken is meant to be fried. It’s not a health food. It’s a gloriously messy and tasty sandwich, and the deep frying process is a critical step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Prep time: <\/strong>15 minutes<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cook time: <\/strong>10 minutes per chicken thigh<\/p>\n\n\n\n Serves: <\/strong>4<\/p>\n\n\n\n Frying temperature: <\/strong>360\u00b0F-375\u00b0F<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"nashville](\"https:\/\/pitmastercentral.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/nashville-hot-chicken-sandwich.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\nKeys to the Cook<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Use Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Boneless,](\"https:\/\/pitmastercentral.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Boneless-Skinless-Chicken-Thighs-with-Herbs-and-Pink-Salt-1200x800.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nCook to the Correct Internal Temperature<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Buy Good Chicken<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Get Set Up for Success<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich Recipe<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Cooking Ingredients<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Sauce Ingredients<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Ingredients for the Sandwiches<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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![\"Chicken](\"https:\/\/pitmastercentral.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Chicken-Sandwich-and-Other-Ingredients-1200x800.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nCooking Instructions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Note: you can use melted butter instead of hot oil. In fact, some would argue that butter is a more traditional fat to use for Nashville hot chicken sandwiches. I like the airy crispness that comes from the oil – try it side-by-side, dipping a different piece of chicken in a Nashville hot sauce made from both fats. See which you like better!<\/li>\n\n\n\n
![\"Fried](\"https:\/\/pitmastercentral.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Fried-Chicken-Sandwich-with-Cheese-on-a-Black-Plate-1200x800.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Spicy](\"https:\/\/pitmastercentral.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Spicy-Seasoning-Sauce-1200x800.jpg\")
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