Jul 14 2026
RestaurantsLocal TacoNashville Hot Chicken Recipe

Nashville Hot Chicken Recipe

Inspired by Local Taco
Time2h
Serves4

fried chicken, spicy hot sauce, poblano cream sauce, coleslaw, wickles pickles, flour tortilla

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Ingredients

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Chicken Marinade

Spicy Hot Sauce

Poblano Cream Sauce

Serving

Method

Chicken Marinade

  1. 1

    Marinate the Chicken

    In a large bowl, whisk together buttermilk and hot sauce. Add the chicken thighs, ensuring they are fully submerged. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight for best results.

Breading

  1. 2

    Prepare the Breading

    In a shallow dish, combine flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to ensure an even distribution of spices.

Frying

  1. 3

    Heat the Oil

    In a large, deep skillet or pot, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat until shimmering (about 350°F / 175°C).

  2. 4

    Fry the Chicken

    Remove chicken from the marinade, allowing excess buttermilk to drip off. Dredge each piece in the flour mixture, pressing lightly to adhere. Carefully place the chicken in the hot oil, frying in batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry for about 6-8 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F / 74°C). Remove chicken and place on a wire rack to drain excess oil.

Spicy Hot Sauce

  1. 5

    Prepare the Hot Sauce

    In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine hot sauce, brown sugar, and cayenne pepper. Stir until the sugar is dissolved and the sauce is heated through. Remove from heat.

Poblano Cream Sauce

  1. 6

    Make the Poblano Cream Sauce

    In a mixing bowl, combine roasted and diced poblano peppers, sour cream, and lime juice. Stir until smooth and well combined. Adjust seasoning with salt if needed.

Coleslaw

  1. 7

    Prepare the Coleslaw

    In a large bowl, combine shredded cabbage and shredded carrots. In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss until well coated. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Serving

  1. 8

    Assemble the Dish

    To serve, place a piece of fried chicken on a flour tortilla. Drizzle with spicy hot sauce and top with poblano cream sauce and coleslaw. Add a few wickles pickles on the side. Roll up the tortilla and enjoy!

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