Craving a dish that delivers a fiery kick with an irresistible crunch? These Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders are your ultimate answer. Forget driving to your favorite fried chicken joint; you can recreate the iconic taste of this Southern classic right in your own kitchen! Picture perfectly seasoned chicken, pan-fried to a golden-brown perfection in a trusty cast iron skillet, resulting in tenders that are gloriously crispy on the outside and wonderfully juicy on the inside. If you’re a true fan of bold flavors and that signature Nashville heat, prepare to find your new favorite recipe.
For those who adore the legendary Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders from places like KFC, this homemade rendition will become your go-to. This recipe brings together spicy, crunchy, and incredibly crispy chicken tenders that are ready in approximately 30 minutes, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or relaxed weekend gatherings. The secret lies in a carefully crafted, fiery seasoning blend and a generous coating of spicy oil, delivering that authentic Nashville heat you crave. While southern fried chicken has evolved through many cooking methods over generations, we firmly believe that cooking it in a cast iron skillet yields unparalleled results.
Utilizing a cast iron skillet is more than just a cooking preference; it’s a cornerstone for achieving that coveted, irresistible crust on these Nashville hot chicken tenders. The skillet’s superior heat retention and even distribution ensure each tender cooks consistently, developing a perfectly golden-brown and crispy exterior while keeping the meat tender and moist. To enjoy these fiery tenders in true Southern style, serve them nestled over a slice of soft white bread, adorned with cooling pickle slices, and accompanied by a refreshing side of coleslaw. Don’t forget the dipping sauces – they’re essential! Explore options like our honey hot mustard, creamy ranch dressing, smoky BBQ sauce, or even our vibrant easy Asian dipping sauce. This recipe promises to satisfy every single craving, offering a complex symphony of spicy, crunchy, and juicy flavors with every unforgettable bite.
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Why These Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders Are a Must-Try
Nashville Hot Chicken has taken the culinary world by storm, celebrated for its signature heat and addictively crispy texture. Our homemade chicken tenders capture that essence, offering numerous compelling reasons to make them your next meal:
- Authentic Restaurant-Quality Flavor at Home: Experience the true, bold taste of Nashville hot chicken without leaving your kitchen. This recipe delivers a deep-fried flavor profile, but with the simplicity of pan-frying, eliminating the need for a bulky deep fryer. You get all the zest and spice expected from a top-tier hot chicken establishment.
- Quick, Easy, and Convenient: Life is busy, and delicious meals shouldn’t be complicated. This recipe is designed for efficiency, coming together in under 30 minutes from start to finish. It’s the perfect solution for satisfying your cravings on even the most hectic weeknights, proving that gourmet flavor doesn’t require hours in the kitchen.
- Unforgettably Crispy Texture: The magic of a cast iron skillet truly shines here. It ensures each chicken tender develops a perfectly golden, incredibly crispy coating that crackles with every bite. Beneath that satisfying crust, the chicken remains wonderfully tender and moist, creating an exquisite contrast that defines great fried chicken.
- Customizable Heat Levels: Whether you like a gentle warmth or a scorching inferno, this recipe is easily adaptable. Adjust the cayenne pepper in the spicy butter sauce to match your personal preference, making it perfect for everyone at the table.
- Versatile Serving Options: These tenders are fantastic on their own, but they also shine in various meals. Serve them in sandwiches, wraps, over salads, or as part of a hearty platter with classic Southern sides. Their versatility makes them a staple for any meal plan.
The Essential Ingredients and Clever Substitutions
Crafting the perfect Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders starts with selecting the right ingredients and knowing how to adapt them to your pantry or dietary needs. Here’s a breakdown:
- Chicken: For the best results, use chicken tenderloins. Their natural size and shape cook quickly and evenly, ensuring consistent tenderness. You can use fresh tenderloins or those thawed from frozen. If tenderloins aren’t available, boneless, skinless chicken breasts work just as well; simply slice them into uniform 2-inch strips.
- Cooking Oil: A high smoke point oil is crucial for pan-frying. Canola oil, vegetable oil, or peanut oil are excellent choices as they can withstand the necessary high heat without breaking down, contributing to a truly crispy crust.
- Flour: All-purpose flour provides the foundational crispy and crunchy exterior. For a gluten-free alternative, almond flour can be used, though it may result in a slightly different texture. Experiment to find your preferred crunch!
- Spicy Butter Sauce: This iconic sauce is made with melted butter, cayenne pepper, ground paprika, and salt. This blend offers the core Nashville flavor. Feel free to adjust the amount of cayenne to control the heat level—more for a fierier experience, less for a milder warmth.
- Buttermilk: Buttermilk is key to tenderizing the chicken and helping the breading adhere. We pair it with a dash of Frank’s Red Hot or Louisiana Hot Sauce for an added layer of flavor and heat in the wet batter. However, any hot sauce you enjoy will work, including Sriracha for an extra kick.
A note on sweetness: you might notice that this original Nashville Chicken Tenders copycat recipe does not include brown sugar. I specifically designed it without sugar for those who prefer a purely savory and spicy profile. However, if you crave that classic sweet-heat balance, you can easily add 2 tablespoons of brown sugar to the butter-basting sauce at the very end of the cooking process.
🎯 Pro Tip: Perfect Chicken Strips
Slicing chicken breasts into uniform strips ensures even cooking. Here’s how:
1. Identify the small, often triangular piece of meat loosely attached to the side of the main breast. This is the tenderloin; detach it. This will be your first tenderloin strip.
2. For the remaining breast, place it flat on your cutting board. Using a sharp knife, slice it from top to bottom into strips approximately 2 inches wide. If you have particularly large chicken breasts, you might also slice them horizontally first (butterfly them) by placing your hand flat against the top of the meat and carefully slicing through it horizontally, away from you, to create thinner pieces before cutting into strips.
Recipe Variations to Explore
Once you’ve mastered the classic Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders, feel free to experiment with these delicious variations:
- No-Breading Spicy Option: If you’re looking for all the flavor without the breading, try our Cajun chicken tenderloins for a similar spicy kick.
- Quick Cooking Method: Short on time? Our chicken tenders in the Instant Pot offer a rapid cooking solution while maintaining excellent flavor and tenderness.
- Healthy Pairings: Balance the richness of the chicken by serving it alongside a fresh kale salad with tahini dressing or a vibrant Tex Mex salad bowl.
- Extra Crispy Coating: For an even crunchier crust, perform a “double-dredge.” After coating the chicken in flour, then buttermilk, dip it back into the flour for a second time before frying. This creates a thicker, more textured breading.
- Spice Blend Customization: Elevate the flavor profile by adding more spices to your seasoned flour or the butter sauce. Consider garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, chili powder, a pinch of smoked paprika for depth, or a touch of celery salt for an authentic touch.
- Sweet & Spicy Twist: As mentioned, a spoonful of brown sugar in the spicy butter sauce can introduce a delightful sweet counterpoint to the heat, creating a more complex flavor.
Don’t forget to explore our other fantastic poultry recipes, such as Shake N’ Bake chicken and our delightful Caprese chicken recipe for more delicious meal ideas.
Equipment for Nashville Hot Chicken Perfection
Having the right tools makes all the difference in achieving restaurant-quality Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders at home. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 11″ – 12″ Cast Iron Skillet (or Heavy Skillet): The star of the show! A heavy-bottomed skillet, preferably cast iron, is essential for even heat distribution and maintaining a consistent oil temperature, which is crucial for a perfectly crispy, golden crust.
- Shallow Bowls or Dipping Trays: You’ll need at least two—one for your seasoned flour and one for your buttermilk mixture—to streamline the breading process.
- Instant-Read Thermometer: Critical for ensuring your cooking oil reaches and maintains the ideal temperature (around 350°F) for frying, and for verifying the internal temperature of the chicken (165°F) for safety and perfect doneness.
- Small Saucepan: Used for gently melting butter and whisking in the spices to create that signature spicy butter basting sauce.
- Basting Brush: The tool that applies the vibrant, fiery butter sauce evenly over your freshly fried chicken tenders, giving them their characteristic Nashville glow and kick.
- Wire Rack with Paper Towels: Essential for draining excess oil from the fried chicken, which helps maintain crispiness and prevents the tenders from becoming soggy.
- Whisk: For thoroughly combining ingredients in both your flour and buttermilk mixtures, and for creating a smooth spicy butter sauce.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders
Follow these detailed steps to create truly unforgettable Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders:
- Prepare the Breading Stations: Set up two shallow bowls or dipping trays. In the first bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, garlic salt, and ground pepper until well combined. In the second shallow bowl, whisk the buttermilk and your chosen hot sauce (like Frank’s Red Hot or Louisiana Hot Sauce) until thoroughly mixed. This creates your dry and wet stations for breading.
- Bread the Chicken: Take each chicken tenderloin and first dredge it completely in the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated. Shake off any excess flour. Next, dip the tender into the buttermilk mixture, allowing any excess to drip off. Finally, return it to the seasoned flour for a second coating, pressing gently to adhere the flour. Shake off any final excess flour. Repeat this process for all chicken pieces.
- Heat the Oil: Pour the cooking oil (canola, vegetable, or peanut) into a large, heavy-bottomed skillet, preferably a cast iron skillet, to a depth of about 1 inch. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches a temperature of 350°F (175°C) on an instant-read thermometer. Achieving the correct oil temperature is vital for crispiness and preventing soggy chicken.
- Fry the Tenders: Once the oil is hot, carefully add the breaded chicken tenders in batches of 4-5 at a time. Do not overcrowd the skillet, as this will drop the oil temperature and prevent even cooking and crisping. Fry for approximately 6 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is a deep golden brown and cooked through.
🎯 Pro Tip: Achieve Ultimate Crispiness
For the crispiest coating imaginable, allow your breaded chicken tenders to rest on a wire rack for 10-15 minutes before frying. This crucial step helps the coating adhere more firmly, creating crispy chicken tenders that maintain their crunch long after cooking. Additionally, always ensure your oil is adequately hot (around 350°F / 175°C) before adding the chicken—this seals in moisture quickly and guarantees that beautiful golden-brown crust.
- Monitor Browning: The chicken should develop a rich, deep golden-brown color before you turn it to cook the other side. This indicates a crispy crust forming.
- Check Internal Temperature: Before removing the chicken from the skillet, always use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken tenderloins reaches at least 165°F (74°C). This confirms they are safely cooked.
- Drain Excess Oil: As each batch finishes cooking, transfer the fried tenders to a wire rack placed over a layer of paper towels. This setup allows air to circulate, keeping the chicken crispy while the paper towels absorb any excess oil.
- Prepare the Spicy Butter Sauce: In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Once melted, stir in the ground paprika, salt, and cayenne pepper (and brown sugar, if using) with a whisk until thoroughly combined and warm.
- Baste and Serve: Use a basting brush to generously coat each hot, fried chicken tender with the spicy butter sauce. Ensure an even layer for maximum flavor and visual appeal. Serve immediately and enjoy the irresistible heat!
These Nashville hot chicken tenders pair wonderfully with hearty grains like our brown rice in an Instant Pot and brown basmati rice in Instant Pot.
Cooking in the Air Fryer (Alternative Method)
For a slightly lighter take with less oil, the air fryer is a fantastic alternative:
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Place the breaded tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Cook for 12 minutes, flipping them halfway through to ensure even crisping.
- Once cooked, immediately brush with the prepared spicy butter mixture and serve hot with your preferred dipping sauce.
Cooking in the Oven (Alternative Method)
If you prefer a hands-off approach, baking these tenders in the oven is another great option:
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Lightly grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper.
- Arrange the breaded tenders on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and thoroughly cooked through, with an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Remove from the oven, brush generously with the spicy butter mixture, and serve immediately with your dipping sauce of choice.
Serving Suggestions for Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders
These Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders are truly versatile and pair beautifully with a variety of sides to complete your meal:
- Classic Southern Spread: Embrace tradition by serving them hot and fresh over a slice of soft white bread with crunchy pickle slices and a generous helping of creamy coleslaw. This classic combination perfectly balances the heat.
- Hearty Sides: Mac and cheese, seasoned fries, or sweet potato fries are indulgent and satisfying companions that absorb the spicy drippings wonderfully.
- Freshness & Balance: For a lighter meal, pair the tenders with a crisp garden salad, roasted vegetables, or steamed green beans to cut through the richness and spice.
- Dipping Sauces Galore: Beyond the spicy butter sauce, offer an array of dips like ranch, blue cheese dressing, honey mustard, or a cooling yogurt dip to complement or temper the heat.
- Sandwich or Wrap: Shred the cooked tenders and pile them into buns with coleslaw and pickles for an amazing Nashville Hot Chicken sandwich, or wrap them in tortillas with your favorite toppings.
Frequently Asked Questions about Nashville Hot Chicken
Absolutely! If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can easily create a substitute. Simply add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to a measuring cup, then fill the rest of the cup with regular milk (any fat percentage will work) until it reaches the ¾ cup mark. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it slightly curdles. This DIY buttermilk will work perfectly for tenderizing the chicken and helping the breading stick. For more substitutes, you can explore resources on buttermilk alternatives.
Yes, you can certainly use chicken breasts for this recipe. To do so, you’ll need to prepare them properly. Begin by slicing the chicken breasts into uniform strips or “tenders” approximately 2 inches wide and about ½ inch thick. If the breasts are particularly thick, you might want to slice them horizontally first (butterfly them) to create thinner cutlets before cutting them into strips. Refer to the “Pro Tip: Perfect Chicken Strips” section above for detailed guidance on how to cut chicken breasts into tenders.
Nashville hot chicken is traditionally served with simple yet effective accompaniments that balance its intense flavor. A slice of soft white bread and cooling dill pickles are classic choices, allowing you to fully savor the crispy, juicy chicken and fiery sauce. Other popular sides that complement the heat include creamy coleslaw, crispy tater tots, potato salad, baked beans, or even fresh green beans. For drinks, sweet tea or a cold beer are perfect for cooling things down.
To properly store leftovers, place any cooled Nashville hot chicken tenders in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. For optimal crispiness when reheating, avoid the microwave. Instead, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake for about 10-12 minutes, or use an air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 5-6 minutes, until they are thoroughly heated and crispy once more. If you plan to freeze them, wrap each tender individually in plastic wrap, then store them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Reheat from frozen using the oven or air fryer for the best texture.
Explore More Easy Weeknight Recipes To Love…
- Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole
- Smoked Pork Tenderloin Recipes
- Penne Pomodoro Pasta
- Cast Iron Dutch Oven Pot Roast
If you tried this Nashville chicken tender recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Your feedback helps others discover delicious meals!
Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders
Renae Gerhardstein
Pin Recipe
Equipment
- skillet
- shallow glass dish
- instant-read thermometer
- saucepan
- basting brush
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds raw chicken tenderloins frozen and thawed; to use chicken breasts, see notes below
- 2½ cups canola oil or vegetable cooking oil
Seasoned Flour Batter
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Buttermilk Batter
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce I prefer Frank’s Red Hot or Louisiana Hot Sauce
Spicy Butter Sauce
- 3 tablespoons butter melted
- 2 teaspoons ground paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper or ground red pepper
Instructions
Prepare the Batter and Dip Chicken
- In a shallow bowl or dipping tray, thoroughly whisk together the flour, garlic salt, and black pepper. In a separate shallow bowl, whisk the buttermilk and hot sauce together until well combined.
- Dredge each chicken tender first in the seasoned flour (shake off excess), then in the buttermilk mixture (let excess drip off), and finally back into the seasoned flour, pressing gently for full coverage. Shake off any remaining excess flour.
Fry the Chicken Tenders
- Add enough cooking oil to a large, heavy skillet (preferably cast iron) to reach a depth of about 1 inch. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C) on an instant-read thermometer.
- Carefully place chicken tenders into the hot oil in batches of 4-5, ensuring not to overcrowd the skillet. Fry for about 6 minutes per side, turning once, until the chicken is a deep golden brown. Before removing, check that the internal temperature of the thickest part of the tenderloins reaches at least 165°F (74°C). Transfer the fried strips to a wire rack with paper towels underneath to drain excess oil.
Brush on the Spicy Butter Sauce
- While the chicken drains, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir in paprika, salt, and cayenne pepper with a whisk until smooth and warm. Use a basting brush to generously coat the hot, fried chicken tenders with this spicy butter sauce. Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- For the crispiest coating, let your breaded chicken rest for 10–15 minutes before frying. This helps the coating stick better and results in crispy chicken tenders that stay crunchy even after cooking. Also, make sure your oil is hot enough (about 350°F / 175°C) before adding the chicken—this seals in moisture and gives that golden-brown crust.
How to Cut Chicken Breasts into Tenders:
- Take the chicken breast and locate the small, attached piece that hangs off the side; this is often the tenderloin. Gently pull or slice it away from the main breast. This will be your first tenderloin strip.
- For the remaining breast, place it flat on your cutting board. Using a sharp knife, slice it evenly from top to bottom into strips approximately 2 inches wide. If the chicken breasts are very large, you can first slice them in half horizontally (butterflying them) by placing your hand flat against the top of the chicken and carefully slicing through the middle, away from you, before cutting into strips.
Recipe Variations:
- This Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders recipe is designed without brown sugar for a purely savory-spicy flavor. However, if you prefer a sweeter spicy sauce, feel free to add 2 tablespoons of brown sugar to the butter basting sauce at the end.
- For a spicy option without breading, consider trying our Cajun chicken tenderloins.
- If you’re looking for a quick and convenient chicken tender recipe, our Instant Pot chicken tenders are a great choice.
- Pair this recipe with refreshing sides like our fresh kale salad with tahini dressing or a hearty Tex Mex salad bowl.
Storing and Reheating Instructions:
- Store any leftover Nashville hot chicken tenders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
- To keep them crispy, reheat in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 10–12 minutes, or in an air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 5–6 minutes, until heated through and crispy again. Avoid microwaving to preserve the crunchy coating.
- If freezing, wrap each tender individually in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Reheat from frozen in the oven or air fryer for best results.
*Nutritional facts include a small portion of the cooking oil as most of it is discarded and not consumed*
Nutrition
Calories: 395kcal |
Carbohydrates: 26g |
Protein: 28g |
Fat: 19g |
Saturated Fat: 6g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g |
Monounsaturated Fat: 5g |
Trans Fat: 0.3g |
Cholesterol: 91mg |
Sodium: 1011mg |
Potassium: 516mg |
Fiber: 1g |
Sugar: 2g |
Vitamin A: 590IU |
Vitamin C: 2mg |
Calcium: 50mg |
Iron: 2mg