Nashville Hot Chicken Wings 🌶🔥🍗 — Crispy, Spicy Southern Classic

Finger-licking good Nashville Hot Fried Chicken Wings will have you smacking your lips! These deep-fried wings are crispy, spicy, sweet, and dripping with homemade Nashville hot sauce. You don’t want to miss these!

Wings are the perfect party food! Sitting around with friends watching football, having a game night with the family, or whenever you are out tailgating, wings are a must. These incredible Nashville hot-fried chicken wings are calling your name.

HOW TO MAKE CRISPY NASHVILLE HOT WINGS

Hot chicken or Nashville hot chicken is a type of fried chicken that is a local specialty of Nashville, TN. In its typical preparation, it is a portion of breast, thigh, or wing that has been marinated in a water-based blend of seasoning, floured, fried, and finally sauced using a paste that has been spiced with cayenne pepper. It is served atop slices of white bread with pickle chips. It is both the application of a spicy paste and the presentation that differentiates it from similar dishes, such as Buffalo wings.

Nashville Hot Chicken Wings 🌶🔥🍗

Crispy fried wings tossed in a fiery-cayenne Nashville hot oil, finished the traditional way on white bread with pickle chips. Bold heat, light sweetness, loud crunch. 💥

Prep: 15 mins (+ marinate)

Cook: 20–25 mins

Total: ~45–60 mins

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

• 2 lbs chicken wings, flats & drummettes

Buttermilk Marinade

• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 large egg
• 1–2 tsp hot sauce
• 1 tsp kosher salt

Dredge

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp cayenne (more to taste)

Nashville Hot Oil

• 1/2 cup hot frying oil (reserved) or neutral oil warmed on stove
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 2–3 tbsp cayenne pepper (adjust heat)
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt

To Serve

• Slices of soft white bread
• Dill pickle chips

Instructions (Traditional Fry)

1. Marinate: Whisk buttermilk, egg, hot sauce, and salt. Add wings, toss, and chill 30–120 mins (up to 8 hours).
2. Heat oil: In a deep pot, heat 2–3 inches neutral oil to 350°F/175°C.
3. Dredge: Combine flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne. Shake marinade off wings, coat in dredge, press to adhere. Rest 5–10 mins while oil returns to temp.
4. Fry: Fry in batches 8–10 mins, turning, until deep golden and at least 175°F internal (crisp & tender). Drain on a rack. Reserve 1/2 cup hot oil safely.
5. Hot oil: In a heat-safe bowl, whisk reserved hot oil, melted butter, cayenne, brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, and salt until smooth.
6. Toss & serve: Toss wings in hot oil mixture (or brush). Lay on white bread, top with pickles. Serve immediately.

Oven / Air Fryer Options

• Oven: Mix 1 tbsp baking powder with 1 tsp salt; toss on dry wings. Bake on a rack at 425°F/220°C for 40–50 mins, flipping once. Toss in warm Nashville hot oil.
• Air Fryer: 390–400°F for 18–22 mins, shaking halfway. Toss in warm Nashville hot oil.

Tips

• Heat Control: Start with 2 tbsp cayenne; add to taste.
• Extra Crunch: Double-dredge (dip back into marinade then dredge again).
• Safety: Always add spices to off-heat oil in a heat-safe bowl.

Nutrition (per ~6 wings)

~520 kcal • Protein 30g • Fat 36g • Carbs 18g (est.).

Nashville Hot Wings FAQ

How spicy are Nashville hot wings?

Traditional versions are hot. Start with 2 tbsp cayenne in the hot oil and add more to taste. A pinch of brown sugar balances heat.

Can I bake or air-fry instead of deep frying?

Yes—see the Oven/Air Fryer options above. Toss in warmed Nashville hot oil after cooking to preserve crispness.

Why serve with white bread and pickles?

It’s the classic Nashville presentation—the bread soaks up spicy oil and the pickles cut the heat with acidity.

How do I keep wings crispy after saucing?

Sauce while wings are hot, toss quickly, don’t over-sauce, and serve immediately. You can brush instead of dunking for more crunch.

What oil should I use for frying?

Neutral high-smoke oils like peanut, canola, or safflower. Maintain 325–350°F for best results.