Air Fryer Nashville Hot Chicken

Name: Air Fryer Nashville Hot Chicken
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 210 min
Ingredients: 3 cups (709ml) buttermilk; 4 tablespoons hot sauce (such as Frank’s Red Hot or Louisiana sauce); 5 cloves garlic (finely minced); 20 ounces (568g) chicken thighs (4 boneless and skinless thighs); vegetable oil (for frying); 1 ½ cups (360g) all-purpose flour; 2 tablespoons cornstarch; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper powder; 1 teaspoon salt; ½ cup (113g) butter (1 stick, cut into pieces); 3 tablespoons cayenne pepper; 3 tablespoons light brown sugar; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; ½ teaspoon chili powder

Jump to Recipe

Air Fryer Nashville Hot Chicken is a healthier and easier version of the super popular dish. This recipe gives you hot chicken that is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside with a perfectly spicy kick that’s perfect for dinner on busy weeknights.

the air fryer nashville hot chicken served on bread and topped with pickle slices

If you’re a fan of spicy food, then you’re going to love this Air Fryer Nashville Hot Chicken recipe! I’m a big fan of Nashville hot chicken, but I don’t always have the time or patience to fry it.

That’s exactly why I love this air fryer recipe. It’s quick, easy, and the air fryer hot chicken turns out just as crispy and flavorful as if it was fried. So if you’re looking for a delicious and easy way to make Nashville hot chicken, this is the recipe for you.

For even more awesome air fryer chicken recipes, check out my crispy Air Fryer Chicken Legs, zesty Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas, and the best Air Fryer Whole Chicken.

a serving spoon placing a pice of air fryer nashville hot chicken onto a plate

What is Nashville Hot Chicken

A fried chicken dish that delivers a nice amount of heat made famous in Nashville Tennessee, the chicken is first marinated in a mixture of buttermilk, hot sauce, and garlic, which gives it a ton of flavor.

It’s then coated in a crispy breading and air fried until it’s golden brown and cooked through. And the final step is to toss the chicken in a spicy sauce made with butter, cayenne pepper, brown sugar, and garlic powder. Everything comes together for a meal that’s sweet and spicy and bursting with flavor.

Nashville hot chicken is traditionally served on white bread with pickles, but you can serve it on a bun with your favorite toppings, on a bed of rice or mashed potatoes, in a salad with your favorite greens, or as a finger food with your favorite dipping sauces.

Yeap, no matter how you serve it, air fryer Nashville hot chicken will surely be a hit!

Why Make This Recipe

It’s Easy To Make. Nashville hot chicken air fryer ingredients are simple, and the instructions are straightforward. Even if you’re not a confident cook, you can still make this recipe with ease.
It’s Flavorful. The chicken is marinated in a mixture of buttermilk, hot sauce, and garlic, which gives it a ton of flavor. Then, it’s coated in a crispy breading and air fried until it’s golden brown and cooked through. The final step is to toss the crispy chicken in a spicy sauce made with butter, cayenne pepper, brown sugar, and garlic powder. The result is a delicious and flavorful air fryer hot chicken that’s sure to please.
It’s Healthier than Deep Frying. Air frying means it’s a healthier option than traditional deep frying. The air fryer uses hot air to cook the chicken, which results in a crispy and flavorful dish without all the unhealthy fat in fried chicken.
It’s Versatile. You can serve Nashville hot chicken in a variety of ways. It’s traditionally served on white bread with pickles, but you can also serve it on a bun, on a bed of rice or mashed potatoes, or as a finger food.

close up view of air fryer nashville hot chicken served on white bread and topped with pickles

Ingredient Notes

For the Chicken

Buttermilk – Buttermilk is used to tenderize the meat and adds a tangy flavor to the chicken. You can substitute sour cream, yogurt, or even milk if you don’t have buttermilk. You can also mix 1 tablespoon of vinegar with 1 cup of milk and let it sit for 5 minutes. Check out my complete post for details on How to Make Buttermilk.
Hot Sauce – Hot sauce adds heat and flavor to the chicken. You can use any hot sauce that you like, but I recommend using a hot sauce that you enjoy the taste of. If you’re not a fan of spicy food, you can reduce the amount of hot sauce that you use.
Garlic – Fresh garlic adds flavor to the chicken. If you don’t have fresh garlic, you can use garlic powder.
Chicken – Boneless, skinless chicken thighs with the fat pieces trimmed off are a good choice for this recipe because they are more flavorful than chicken breasts. If you don’t have chicken thighs, you can use chicken breasts or chicken strips.
Flour – All-purpose flour helps to make the batter. You can substitute gluten free flour if you need to.
Cornstarch – Cornstarch helps to create a crispy crust on the chicken. You can substitute arrowroot powder or potato starch if you don’t have cornstarch.
Garlic Powder and Onion Powder – These add flavor to the breading.
Cayenne Pepper Powder – Cayenne pepper powder adds heat to the chicken. You can adjust the amount of cayenne pepper powder that you use to taste.
Salt – Use sea salt or kosher salt to season the chicken.

For the Sauce

Butter – Butter is used as the base of the hot sauce. You can substitute margarine.
Cayenne Pepper Powder – Cayenne pepper powder adds heat to the hot sauce. You can adjust the amount of cayenne pepper powder that you use to taste.
Light Brown Sugar – Brown sugar adds sweetness to the hot sauce. You can substitute granulated sugar or dark brown sugar if you don’t have brown sugar. You can also use honey or maple syrup.
Garlic Powder – Garlic powder adds an earthy flavor to the hot sauce.
Chili Powder – Chili powder adds flavor to the hot sauce and helps to give it a smoky flavor and that signature red color. You can substitute cumin or paprika if you don’t have chili powder.

the ingredients for making air fryer nashville hot chicken

Ready to learn how to make this Nashville Hot Chicken Recipe Air Fryer? Gather your ingredients, and I will show you…

How To Make Air Fryer Nashville Hot Chicken

Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

In a large bowl, combine the buttermilk, hot sauce, and garlic. Add the chicken thighs to the buttermilk mixture and toss to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or up to overnight.
When you’re ready to cook, preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees F / 190 degrees C.
In a shallow bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and salt.
Remove the chicken from the marinade and dip it in the flour mixture, coating both sides.
Place the chicken in the air fryer basket and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until cooked through and golden brown. Flip the chicken halfway through cooking.
While the chicken is cooking, make the sauce. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the cayenne pepper powder, brown sugar, garlic powder, and chili powder. Cook, stirring constantly, for 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce is thickened and smooth.
Remove the chicken from the air fryer and immediately toss it in the hot sauce. Serve hot.

image collage showing the steps for making this nashville hot chicken air fryer recipe

Note: Always check for doneness with a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should be 165 degrees F / 74 degrees C when inserted into the thickest part of the chicken.

Expert Tips

Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Chicken thighs are more flavorful than chicken breasts, and they hold up well to the marinating and cooking process.
Marinate the chicken for at least 3 hours, or up to overnight. The longer the chicken marinates, the more flavorful it will be.
Don’t overcrowd the air fryer. If you overcrowd the air fryer, the chicken will not cook evenly.
Cook the chicken in batches. This will help to ensure that the chicken cooks evenly.
Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F / 74 degrees C.
Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. This will help the juices to redistribute throughout the chicken, resulting in a more tender and juicy chicken.
Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper powder to taste. If you’re not a fan of spicy food, you can reduce the amount of cayenne pepper powder that you use.
Make the sauce ahead of time. This will save you time on the day of cooking.
Toss the chicken in the sauce just before serving. This will ensure that the chicken is evenly coated in the sauce.
Serve the chicken with your favorite dipping sauce. Some popular options include ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, or honey mustard sauce.

top down view of nashville hot chicken in air fryer basket

Delicious Variations

Use Different Cuts of Chicken – You can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts, bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, or even chicken tenders in this recipe. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Swap the Hot Sauce – There are many different types of hot sauce available, so feel free to experiment with different flavors and heat levels.
Add Different Spices – You can add other spices to the marinade and sauce to customize the flavor of the chicken. Some popular options include paprika, cumin, or chili powder.
Add Pickle Juice – Add a little pickle juice to the Nashville chicken buttermilk marinade for even more flavor.

Prep And Storage

Prep Ahead – Marinate the chicken for at least 3 hours, and up to overnight.
Store – Leftover air fryer Nashville hot chicken can be refrigerated for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
Freeze – Cool completely and freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheat – The chicken is best served fresh. To reheat, cook in a hot air fryer for several minutes until warmed through and the chicken is crispy.

a brush adding sauce to a piece of air fryer nashville hot chicken

FAQs

Is Nashville Hot Chicken Super Spicy?

The heat level of this recipe is easily adjustable. If you want a spicier chicken, you can add more cayenne pepper powder to the marinade and sauce. You can also add other spicy ingredients, such as red pepper flakes or chipotle powder.

If you want a less spicy chicken, you can reduce the amount of cayenne pepper powder that you use. You can add other ingredients to the marinade and sauce to balance the heat, such as honey, brown sugar, or yogurt.

The heat level of this recipe is easily adjustable. If you want a spicier chicken, you can add more cayenne pepper powder to the marinade and sauce. You can also add other spicy ingredients, such as red pepper flakes or chipotle powder. If you want a less spicy chicken, you can reduce the amount of cayenne pepper powder that you use. You can add other ingredients to the marinade and sauce to balance the heat, such as honey, brown sugar, or yogurt.

Can I Make This Without an Air Fryer?

If you don’t have an air fryer, cook the chicken in a preheated oven at 400 degrees F / 204 degrees C for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown. We recommend baking it on an oven-safe rack on a baking sheet.

For complete instructions, check out my Nashville Hot Chicken recipe post.

Can I Use Other Chicken Cuts?

Yes, you can use other types of chicken in this recipe. Boneless, skinless chicken breast, bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, or even chicken tenders would work well. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.

the completed air fryer nashville hot chicken recipe

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