Description
This Nashville Chicken recipe delivers spicy, crispy, and flavorful chicken tenders with a perfect balance of heat and sweetness. Marinated in hot sauce and pickle juice, then coated in a seasoned flour batter and air fried for a healthier twist, this dish is ideal for a quick and delicious meal that packs a punch.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 2 pounds boneless chicken breast tenders
- 1 teaspoon salt (divided)
- 1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper (divided)
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce (divided)
- 2 tablespoons pickle juice (divided)
Breading
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- Cooking spray (olive oil)
Spice Mix
- 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 cup olive oil
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, toss together the chicken tenders with 1 tablespoon hot sauce, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and 1 tablespoon of pickle juice until well combined. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to infuse.
- Prepare Flour Mixture: Pour the flour into a separate bowl and mix in the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper to evenly season the coating.
- Prepare Wet Mixture: In another bowl, whisk together the egg, buttermilk, and remaining 1 tablespoon each of hot sauce and pickle juice to create the dipping batter.
- Dredge the Chicken: First, toss each marinated chicken tender in the seasoned flour until fully coated. Next, dip them into the buttermilk mixture to moisten, then return them to the flour for a second coating to ensure a crispy crust.
- Rest the Breaded Chicken: Arrange the breaded chicken tenders on a baking sheet in a single layer and allow them to air dry for 10 minutes, helping the coating to set properly.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to the chicken setting or 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Air Fry the Chicken: Place the tenders in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd. Lightly spray the top of the tenders with cooking spray. Cook for 5-6 minutes, then flip each tender, spray again, and continue cooking for another 5-7 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. Repeat in batches if necessary.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken in pickle juice and hot sauce tenderizes the meat and adds signature Nashville heat.
- Double dredging the chicken in flour and wet batter ensures a crispy, flavorful crust.
- Allowing the breaded chicken to air dry before cooking helps the coating adhere better and crisp up in the air fryer.
- If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake in a 400°F oven for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, but the crispiness may vary.
- Adjust cayenne pepper to your preferred spice level for milder or hotter chicken.
