The Best Nashville Hot Chicken Sliders Recipe

Bring a taste of Nashville right to your kitchen with these irresistibly bold and fiery hot chicken sliders. Bursting with juicy chicken, crisp slaw, and that signature spicy kick, these sliders are surprisingly easy and wildly satisfying—exactly what your weeknight menu has been missing! This recipe leans into simple techniques and pantry staples, letting anyone create restaurant-worthy sliders with minimal fuss and maximum kick. Tender, crunchy, spicy, and creamy in every bite, they’re the ultimate solution for busy nights, game-days, or anytime you’re craving a meal that’s downright exciting.

Ingredients You’ll Need

All your slider dreams can come true with these easy-to-find ingredients and a few essential tips:

• Chicken Tenders: The star! Go for tenders for faster cooking and perfect slider sizing. Chicken breasts cut into strips work too.
• Egg Whites & Buttermilk: The key to extra juicy, flavorful chicken. If buttermilk is missing from your fridge, milk with a bit of lemon or vinegar is a flawless substitute.
• Salt & Pepper: Don’t skimp here—season every layer to bring out the best flavors.
• All-Purpose Flour & Cornstarch: This combo makes the breading shatteringly crisp. Cornstarch isn’t optional; it’s magic.
• Baking Powder: Just a touch for an airy, light crust. Don’t leave it out!
• Vegetable Oil: Choose an oil with a high smoke point for clean frying (like canola or sunflower).
• Cayenne Pepper & Spices (for Nashville Sauce): The authentic fiery kick. Adjust the cayenne to fit your heat tolerance. Sweet paprika, brown sugar, and garlic powder balance the boldness.
• Slaw Mix (Cabbage): A tangy, crunchy counterbalance to the spicy chicken—buy bagged slaw or shred your own mix of purple and green cabbage.
• Mayonnaise, Vinegar, Sugar: For a creamy, tangy slaw dressing and slider sauce. Real mayo makes all the difference—don’t use low fat unless you love it.
• Ketchup: Adds body and a gentle sweetness to your slider sauce.
• Slider Buns: Soft, slightly sweet buns are perfection. Hawaiian rolls or potato slider buns are highly recommended.
• Pickles: Don’t skip these! Sliced dill pickles are bite-sized bursts of zesty flavor that are essential for a true Nashville slider experience.

Variations

Love to tinker? Here are some inspired twists you can try:

• Mild Version: Downplay (or skip) the cayenne for a version kids will love.
• Gluten-Free: Use your favorite gluten-free flour blend and gluten-free buns.
• No Deep Frying: Air fry the chicken at 400°F until crisp and golden, flipping halfway through.
• Extra Hot: Add chili flakes or a splash of hot sauce to the Nashville oil for a fiery finish.
• Vegan: Substitute chicken with crispy tofu planks or cauliflower, and swap in vegan mayo for sauces.
• Alternative Slaws: Toss in shredded carrots, apple, or jalapeños for something new.

How to Make the Best Nashville Hot Chicken Sliders

Step 1: Marinade and Prep the Chicken

Start by whisking together egg whites, buttermilk (or the milk/vinegar blend), salt, and pepper. Toss in your chicken tenders, making sure each piece is nicely coated. Let them marinate for at least 10 minutes—longer if you have time—so the flavors really get in there.

Step 2: Set Up the Coating

In a large bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and pepper. The cornstarch is what gives the chicken that addictively crunchy shell, so don’t skip it.

Step 3: Bread and Fry

Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Dredge each marinated chicken piece in the flour mixture, pressing lightly so it sticks well. Fry in batches—don’t crowd the pan—until deeply golden and cooked through, about 4–5 minutes per side. Drain on a rack or paper towels.

Step 4: Make the Nashville Hot Sauce

In a small heatproof bowl, combine cayenne, paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Carefully ladle in 1/2 cup of the hot frying oil from your skillet. Stir—watch out, it’ll bubble up—and brush this spicy oil generously over each piece of fried chicken.

Step 5: Mix Up the Coleslaw and Slider Sauce

Toss shredded cabbage with mayo, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper until creamy and crisp. For the slider sauce, blend equal parts mayo and ketchup with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Step 6: Assemble the Sliders

Slice your slider buns and toast them lightly if you like. Spread the bottom bun with slider sauce, layer on hot chicken, a pile of slaw, and a few pickle slices. Crown with the top bun and try, just try, not to devour them immediately.

How to Serve

Nashville hot chicken sliders practically beg to be eaten with your hands—no utensils needed. They’re perfect finger food for casual gatherings, but they also shine as a fun family dinner alongside:

• Classic Sides: Serve with fries, sweet potato wedges, or kettle chips.
• Fresh Veggies: Pair with carrot sticks, crunchy celery, or a crisp cucumber salad to cool off the heat.
• Pickle Platter: Offer extra pickles, pickled jalapeños, or even a little coleslaw on the side.

These sliders are just as delicious as game-day snacks as they are the star of an easy weeknight meal.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store assembled sliders in the fridge for up to 24 hours (the buns may soften a bit), or refrigerate the cooked chicken, slaw, and sauces separately for up to 3 days.

Freezing

Freeze cooked, unsauced fried chicken in an airtight container for up to 2 months—just let it cool completely first. Defrost in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

Reheat chicken in a 375°F oven until hot and crispy, then brush with the Nashville hot sauce just before assembling for fresh-from-the-fryer flavor.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Nashville hot chicken sliders are proof that great food doesn’t have to be complicated. Spice, crunch, and creamy slaw all combine to create something seriously crave-worthy, and you’ll be amazed at how easy (and fun) these are to make at home. So don’t wait for your next trip to Nashville—bring the heat, the crunch, and the flavor to your own table tonight! Give them a try, and watch them disappear faster than you ever expected.

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