Nashville Hot Chicken

Ingredients

• 3 lbbone-in chicken pieces$9.17
• 2 cupbuttermilk$1.08
• 2 cupall-purpose flour$0.39
• 4 cupvegetable oil for frying$3.60
• 4 tbspunsalted butter$0.35
• 3 tbspcayenne pepper$0.10
• 1 tbspbrown sugar$0.02
• 1 tbsppaprika$0.27
• 2 tspkosher salt$0.02
• 4 eachwhite bread slices$0.30
• 1 cupdill pickle chips$2.70
• Total for 4 servings$18.00

Most of the cost is bone-in chicken pieces ($9.17) and vegetable oil for frying ($3.60). With oil, spices and staples already at home, the shop drops to about $13.40. Prices are estimated for the amount used, at average US grocery prices (November 2026).

Steps

1. In a large bowl, mix the bone-in chicken pieces with the buttermilk and 1 tsp of the kosher salt. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
2. Place the all-purpose flour and 1/2 tsp of the kosher salt in a shallow dish and whisk together. Remove the chicken pieces from the buttermilk, letting excess liquid drip off, then press each piece firmly into the flour until completely coated.
3. Pour the vegetable oil for frying into a deep heavy pot or Dutch oven and heat over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (180°C). Working in batches to avoid crowding, fry the chicken pieces for 14 to 18 minutes, turning once or twice, until the crust is deep golden brown and an instant-read thermometer registers at least 165°F (74°C) at the bone.
4. Transfer the fried chicken to a wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet. Meanwhile, melt the unsalted butter in a small saucepan over low heat for 1 to 2 minutes, then whisk in the cayenne pepper, brown sugar, paprika, and the remaining 1/2 tsp kosher salt until fully combined and aromatic.
5. Brush the warm spiced butter glaze generously over every side of the hot fried chicken.
6. Lay one white bread slice on each plate, place the hot spiced chicken on top, and crown with the dill pickle chips.