A Nashville Chicken Burger is a hot, bold, and seriously crispy food that brings hot flavours together with warm textures. Hot chicken was a staple in Nashville’s Black communities for nearly 70 years. But over the past decade, it has become increasingly popular, moving to menus across the country. As its popularity grew, so did its history become part of local food lore, contributing to its legendary status. To create some irresistibly great fried chicken, the start begins in a very well-seasoned marinade. A good marinade fills the chicken with deep and strong flavours that will make each bite full of goodness. Whether a homemade choice or taking a bite out of Burger Takeaways, hot chicken’s secret to being top of the line is that it is first cooked with strong flavours.
Chicken Fillet
The center of a Nashville Chicken Burger is the chicken. A boneless, skinless fillet is ideal, with thighs being the more juicy choice while breasts provide a leaner option. Thighs retain more flavour and remain tender after frying, so they are a high recommendation. For an even fry, the fillet needs to be pounded out to an even thickness. This ensures it cooks all the way through without becoming dry.
Buttermilk Marinade
A fine Nashville chicken begins with a savoury buttermilk marinade. The chicken should be marinating in a mix of buttermilk, salt, black pepper, and a dash of hot sauce for at least a few hours, preferably overnight. This not only adds flavour way down deep in the meat, but it tenderises the chicken as well so that every bite is juicy. The acidity of the buttermilk dissolves the proteins, and the chicken ends up being moist and soft when fried. Omitting this step results in a dry, less palatable burger.
Spiced Flour Coating
Nashville Chicken Burger is never complete without its crispy coating. The chicken, after marinating, is then dredged through a seasoned flour mixture that coats it with a golden, crunchy texture. The flour should be mixed with key spices like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and salt. Some recipes add a little cornstarch for extra crispiness. Doubling up is the secret to a rich, craggy crust: “dredge” the buttermilk-marinated chicken in the flour, then dip it again in the buttermilk and dredge in flour. This provides a further crunchy coating that resists the spicy oil well.
Hot Oil Coating
Nashville chicken is what gives it its uniqueness, the hot oil it is coated with after frying. This isn’t a drissle of hot sauce, it’s a spiced oil mixture that infuses into the crispy coating, adding depth and heat. The oil is made by blending cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, brown sugar, and garlic powder into a small amount of hot frying oil. Brushing with the spicy oil on the recently fried chicken keeps the flavour trapped and gives it that distinctive red hue. Dampen down the cayenne to your taste, but a true Nashville chicken needs a little kick.
Brioche Bun
A soft, lightly sweet bun is the perfect accompaniment to the bold flavours of a Nashville Chicken Burger. Brioche is an excellent option since it is light and buttery, which serves to balance the heat without losing its strength. Toast the bun lightly to prevent it from getting soggy when adding the sauce and pickles. There is a slight crispiness about the edges to add texture and bite.
Pickles
Sour pickles are a condiment sine qua non. They cut through the greasiness of the fried chicken and create a refreshing respite from spiciness. Dill pickles are to be preferred because their fresh, salty flavour accompanies the powerful spicy flavours of the chicken. Pickled jalapeños are thrown in for a bit of extra heat in some versions, or bread-and-butter pickles for a touch of sweetness. Whatever version you choose, pickles elevate the burger to the next level by providing balance and crunch.
Slaw or Sauce
No good Nashville Chicken Burger is complete without the inclusion of a cooling element to balance out the heat. For others, that is creamy coleslaw, made up of shredded cabbage, mayo, vinegar, and the barest hint of sugar. The slaw’s crunch adds a second texture to the burger while the creaminess works to calm the heat. Others like a simple spicy mayo or ranch dressing, which adds a smooth, creamy contrast to the crispy chicken. Whatever you choose, this added finishing touch brings the flavours together and puts everything together.
Conclusion
A Nashville Chicken Burger is not another fried chicken sandwich—it’s a full-on sensory experience. The crunch of the breading, the spice kick, the cooling crunch of the pickles, and the rich, buttery bun all combine to create something you’ll never forget. Whether you heat it in your kitchen or grab one on the way from your favourite stop, knowing what goes into it makes you love every bite just that much more.
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