Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders

Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders are everything you want from a spicy Southern comfort dish—crispy, juicy, sweet, smoky, and unapologetically fiery. Born in the heart of Tennessee, this dish is famous for its shatteringly crisp fried chicken that’s tossed in a mouthwatering blend of cayenne, paprika, and other bold spices soaked into spicy oil. It’s the kind of food that hits you with heat but keeps you coming back for more. These tenders are soaked in a seasoned buttermilk marinade for extra juiciness, then breaded and fried to golden perfection before being drenched in that signature Nashville hot oil. The result? A kick-you-in-the-teeth level of flavor that’s balanced out with just enough sweetness, crunch, and heat. Whether you serve them with white bread and pickles like the traditional Nashville way or stuff them in a sandwich with slaw and ranch, these tenders are here to steal the show.

Ingredients

For the Chicken Tenders:
• 2 lbs chicken tenders or boneless chicken breast cut into strips
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp hot sauce
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• Vegetable oil for frying

For the Nashville Hot Oil:
• ½ cup of the hot frying oil (safely scooped from your fry pot)
• 1 tbsp cayenne pepper (adjust for heat preference)
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp chili powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

For Serving (Optional but Classic):
• Sliced white bread
• Dill pickle chips
• Ranch or comeback sauce for dipping

Instructions

Marinate the Chicken:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together buttermilk, egg, hot sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
2. Add the chicken tenders and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for maximum tenderness and flavor.

Prepare the Breading:

1. In a shallow dish, mix the flour and cornstarch.
2. Remove each chicken tender from the marinade, letting the excess drip off, and dredge thoroughly in the flour mixture. Press firmly to coat well.
3. For an extra crispy crust, you can double-dip: dunk back into the marinade and coat in flour again.
4. Let the breaded tenders rest on a tray for 10–15 minutes while you heat the oil.

Fry the Chicken:

1. Heat vegetable oil in a large deep skillet or pot to 350°F (175°C), making sure the oil is deep enough to submerge the tenders.
2. Fry in batches, 3–4 tenders at a time, for about 4–6 minutes or until golden brown and the internal temp reaches 165°F.
3. Transfer fried tenders to a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate to drain.

Make the Nashville Hot Oil:

1. Carefully ladle ½ cup of the hot frying oil into a heatproof bowl.
2. Stir in cayenne, brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper until combined.
3. Brush the hot oil mixture generously over the fried chicken tenders while they’re still warm. Use more or less depending on how fiery you want it.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve tenders on top of sliced white bread with dill pickle chips for that iconic Nashville presentation
• Drizzle with honey for a sweet-hot combo
• Add to a toasted bun with coleslaw and ranch for the ultimate spicy chicken sandwich
• Serve with waffle fries, sweet potato fries, or creamy mac and cheese for the perfect comfort plate
• Pair with a glass of sweet tea or lemonade to cool down the heat
• Add to wraps, tacos, or chopped into grain bowls for a bold flavor twist

Tips for Success

• Don’t skip the buttermilk marinade—it’s key to juicy, flavorful chicken
• Let breaded tenders rest before frying to help the crust set and stick
• Use a thermometer to keep frying oil at the right temp—too hot and it burns, too cool and it gets greasy
• Adjust cayenne level to control the heat—1 tbsp gives a solid kick, 2 tbsp is fiery
• For an ultra-crunchy crust, add crushed cornflakes or panko to your flour mix
• Always brush the spicy oil while the chicken is hot so it soaks into the crust
• Serve fresh for the best texture and crunch

Why You’ll Love It

These Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders bring restaurant-level flavor to your home kitchen. They’re bold, spicy, juicy, and coated in a crave-worthy crust that holds up to dips, sandwiches, or straight-up snacking. They’ve got heat without being one-note spicy, thanks to the balance of sweet brown sugar, smoky paprika, and that slow cayenne burn. The outside is crispy and aggressive, the inside is tender and buttery, and the whole thing is guaranteed to make you sweat a little in the best way.

Final Thoughts

If you’re a fried chicken fan and you love heat that doesn’t mess around, Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders are your new obsession. They’re the kind of meal that hits hard and lingers with flavor long after the plate is clean. Spicy, saucy, crispy, and addictive—this is Southern heat turned all the way up.

Stick around—every visit tastes better than the last at The Buttered Bliss.