Experience the fiery, flavorful taste of Nashville Hot Chicken right in your kitchen with this incredibly easy Air Fryer Nashville Hot Chicken Nuggets recipe. These bite-sized delights are perfectly brined for maximum tenderness, double-dredged for an irresistible crunch, and tossed in a signature spicy oil. Get ready for tender, juicy chicken with a crispy exterior and an explosion of Nashville’s famous heat!
Air Fryer Nashville Hot Chicken Nuggets: Your Ultimate Spicy Snack or Meal
Are you ready to elevate your chicken game and bring the iconic flavors of Nashville to your dinner table, all with the convenience of your air fryer? Look no further! This recipe for Air Fryer Nashville Hot Chicken Nuggets delivers on all fronts: incredible flavor, satisfying texture, and a simple cooking process. Forget the deep fryer mess; we’re achieving that coveted crispy exterior and succulent interior with significantly less oil, making this a healthier and easier option for enjoying this Southern classic.
Nashville Hot Chicken has captivated taste buds worldwide with its unique blend of heat, spice, and tender chicken. Traditionally deep-fried and slathered in a scorching, cayenne-infused oil, it’s a dish meant to awaken your senses. Our air fryer version captures that authentic taste and texture without the fuss. Each nugget is carefully brined in a buttermilk and pickle juice mixture, ensuring every bite is bursting with flavor and moisture. Then, they’re coated in a seasoned flour blend, air-fried to golden perfection, and finally, tossed in a homemade Nashville hot sauce that balances fiery cayenne with a hint of sweetness. Whether you’re planning an appetizer spread for a party or a fun, spicy weeknight dinner, these nuggets are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Serve them simply with cool dill pickles and slices of white bread, and you’ve got an authentic Nashville experience at home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Air Fryer Nashville Hot Chicken Nuggets
Absolutely! Chicken tenderloins are a fantastic alternative to chicken breasts for these Nashville Hot Chicken Nuggets. They are naturally smaller and often cook slightly faster, which can be convenient. Just ensure you use the same total amount by weight as specified for chicken breasts to maintain the correct ingredient ratios for the brine and coating. Cut them into similar nugget-sized pieces for consistent cooking.
For air frying, olive oil spray is my top recommendation. It provides excellent non-stick properties and contributes to a beautiful golden-brown crisp without leaving residue. While vegetable oil spray can be used, prolonged use can sometimes lead to a sticky, gummy buildup on your air fryer basket and interior, making it harder to clean over time. Opting for olive oil spray helps maintain your air fryer’s condition and ensures easy food release.
To achieve the best possible flavor penetration and incredibly tender chicken, I highly recommend brining the chicken for at least 2 hours. This allows the buttermilk, pickle juice, and hot sauce to work their magic, tenderizing the meat and infusing it with a delicious tangy, savory base. If you’re really pressed for time, a minimum of 30 minutes will still make a noticeable difference, but for that truly exceptional Nashville Hot Chicken experience, commit to the full 2 hours.
The double coating method is key to achieving that perfectly crispy, crunchy exterior that contrasts wonderfully with the tender chicken inside. By first coating the chicken in seasoned flour, then dipping it in egg, and finally coating it again in flour, you create a robust breading layer. This thicker coating fries up beautifully in the air fryer, forming a textured crust that locks in moisture and provides an incredibly satisfying crunch with every bite. It’s a small extra step that makes a huge difference in the final result.
Buttermilk is a crucial ingredient in many fried chicken recipes, especially for its unique ability to tenderize meat and contribute a distinct tangy flavor. For these Nashville Hot Chicken Nuggets, it’s genuinely indispensable for achieving the authentic taste and texture. I strongly advise against substituting it with regular milk, as you won’t get the same tenderizing or flavor benefits. The good news is, you can easily make your own buttermilk at home! Simply combine ½ cup of whole milk with ½ tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice. Let the mixture sit for about 5-10 minutes until it slightly curdles, then stir it and use it as directed. This homemade version works perfectly.
Leftover Nashville Hot Chicken Nuggets are delicious and store well. Place them in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If you want to store them for longer, they can also be frozen. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer them to an airtight freezer container or bag. They will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, defrost them overnight in the refrigerator if frozen. Then, for the best crispiness, place them in your air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for about 3-5 minutes, or until heated through and crisp.
Absolutely! The beauty of making your own Nashville Hot Chicken Nuggets is customizing the spice to your preference. The recipe calls for 1 ½ tablespoons of cayenne pepper, which delivers a significant kick. If you prefer a milder heat, start with 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper and add more to taste. For those who crave extreme heat, you can increase the cayenne pepper up to 2 tablespoons or even add a pinch of ghost pepper powder or finely chopped habanero peppers to the sauce. Always taste as you go and remember that a little extra heat goes a long way!
Essential Ingredients for Nashville Hot Chicken Nuggets
Crafting these sensational Air Fryer Nashville Hot Chicken Nuggets requires a few key components that work together to create the signature flavor and texture. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need to gather:
- Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are diced into perfect nugget-sized pieces. You can also use tenderloins for convenience.
- Buttermilk: Essential for the brine, it tenderizes the chicken and infuses it with a tangy base.
- Pickle Juice: A secret ingredient in the brine that adds an extra layer of flavor and moisture. Don’t skip it!
- Hot Sauce (for brine): A dash of your favorite hot sauce in the brine enhances the initial flavor profile.
- Eggs: Act as a binder for the seasoned flour, helping the coating adhere to the chicken.
- All-Purpose Flour: Forms the base of our crispy coating.
- Kosher Salt & Black Pepper: Fundamental seasonings for the flour mixture.
- Chili Powder, Garlic Powder, Paprika, Cumin: A blend of spices for the seasoned flour that builds depth and warmth.
- Cayenne Pepper (for sauce): The star of the Nashville hot sauce, delivering intense heat. Adjust to your desired spice level.
- Dark Brown Sugar: Balances the heat of the cayenne with a touch of sweetness and molasses flavor in the hot sauce.
- Olive Oil: Used for spraying the air fryer basket, coating the chicken before frying, and as the base for the Nashville hot sauce.
- Sliced Dill Pickles: The classic accompaniment, providing a cool, tangy counterpoint to the spicy chicken.
How to Prepare Air Fryer Nashville Hot Chicken Nuggets: A Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these detailed steps to create your own batch of perfectly spicy and crispy Nashville Hot Chicken Nuggets in the air fryer:
Step 1: Prepare the Flavor-Infusing Brine
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine ½ cup of rich buttermilk, 1 tablespoon of tangy pickle juice, and 1 tablespoon of your favorite hot sauce. Whisk these ingredients together until they are thoroughly combined. This brine is crucial for not only tenderizing the chicken but also infusing it with layers of savory, slightly sour, and subtly spicy flavor from the inside out.
Step 2: Brine the Chicken for Maximum Tenderness
Take your boneless, skinless chicken breasts and dice them into uniform, nugget-sized pieces. Evenly sized pieces ensure consistent cooking. Add the diced chicken to the prepared buttermilk mixture, making sure all the chicken pieces are submerged and well-coated. Allow the chicken to brine for a minimum of 2 hours in the refrigerator. While you can get away with 30 minutes if you’re really short on time, the full 2 hours makes a significant difference in the chicken’s tenderness and overall flavor, making it incredibly moist and juicy after cooking.
Step 3: Set Up Your Double-Dredging Station
Prepare your dredging station for coating the chicken. In a large Ziploc bag (or a wide, shallow bowl), combine 1 cup of all-purpose flour with 2 teaspoons of kosher salt, ½ teaspoon of chili powder, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder, ½ teaspoon of paprika, ½ teaspoon of cumin, and ½ teaspoon of black pepper. Shake the bag (or whisk the ingredients in the bowl) until all the spices are evenly distributed throughout the flour. In a separate bowl, whisk 2 large eggs until they are well beaten. This two-part station is essential for creating that irresistible crispy crust.
Step 4: Execute the Double-Dredge
Now it’s time to coat your chicken for that ultimate crispiness. Working in small batches to avoid overcrowding, remove the brined chicken pieces from the buttermilk mixture, allowing any excess liquid to drip off. First, add the chicken to the Ziploc bag with the seasoned flour and shake vigorously until each piece is thoroughly coated. Next, remove the flour-coated chicken and dip it into the whisked eggs, letting any excess egg drip back into the bowl. Finally, return the egg-dipped chicken to the seasoned flour in the Ziploc bag and toss again to create a second, thick layer of coating. This double dredge is the secret to a super crispy texture.
Step 5: Air Fry to Crispy Perfection
Lightly spray your air fryer basket with olive oil non-stick cooking spray. Arrange the double-dredged chicken nuggets in a single layer in the basket, ensuring not to overcrowd them. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you will likely need to cook these in 2 or even 3 batches to allow for even airflow and crisping. Once arranged, lightly spray the tops of the chicken nuggets with more olive oil spray. Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cook for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, carefully flip each nugget and cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and is beautifully golden brown and crispy.
Step 6: Prepare the Signature Nashville Hot Sauce
While your chicken nuggets are cooking, prepare the fiery Nashville hot sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together 1 ½ tablespoons of cayenne pepper, 1 tablespoon of dark brown sugar, and ½ cup of olive oil. Mix vigorously until the ingredients are well combined and the sugar has dissolved. This creates a rich, spicy oil that will coat your crispy nuggets with that unmistakable Nashville heat and flavor. Feel free to adjust the amount of cayenne to match your preferred spice level.
Step 7: Toss and Serve!
Once the chicken nuggets are cooked through and crispy, transfer them immediately to the bowl with the prepared Nashville hot sauce. Toss gently to ensure each nugget is thoroughly coated in the fiery oil. Serve these incredible Air Fryer Nashville Hot Chicken Nuggets immediately with plenty of sliced dill pickles. The cool, tangy pickles offer a perfect contrast to the spicy chicken, completing the classic Nashville experience. Enjoy every tender, crispy, and spicy bite!
There you have it – a mouthwatering batch of Air Fryer Nashville Hot Chicken Nuggets, ready to be devoured! These aren’t just chicken nuggets; they’re an experience, packed with flavor, spice, and that satisfying crunch we all crave. Perfect for a casual get-together, a spicy snack attack, or a fun family meal, these nuggets are guaranteed to become a new favorite. Don’t forget those refreshing dill pickles to cool things down between bites!
Tips for Making the Best Air Fryer Nashville Hot Chicken Nuggets
- Don’t Skip the Brine: The buttermilk and pickle juice brine is not just for flavor; it significantly tenderizes the chicken, ensuring moist and juicy nuggets. A minimum of 2 hours is ideal.
- Uniform Pieces: Dice your chicken breasts or tenderloins into roughly equal-sized pieces to ensure they cook evenly.
- Proper Dredging Technique: The double dredge is key to a super crispy crust. Make sure the chicken is fully coated at each stage.
- Avoid Overcrowding: Cook the nuggets in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Overcrowding reduces airflow, leading to steamed rather than crispy chicken. Work in batches if necessary.
- Use Olive Oil Spray: Opt for olive oil spray for your air fryer basket and the chicken itself. It promotes crispiness and helps prevent sticky residue buildup over time, unlike some other cooking sprays.
- Check Internal Temperature: Always use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for food safety.
- Adjust the Heat: The cayenne pepper in the Nashville hot sauce is where the spice comes from. Start with a smaller amount (e.g., 1 teaspoon) if you prefer milder heat, and gradually add more to reach your desired level of fire.
- Serve Immediately: For the best texture, toss the cooked chicken in the hot sauce just before serving. The sauce is best enjoyed when the nuggets are fresh and warm.
- Classic Accompaniments: Don’t forget the essential side of sliced dill pickles and soft white bread. The pickles offer a refreshing tang and coolness that perfectly balances the heat, while the bread can soak up any delicious excess sauce.
Serving Suggestions for Your Nashville Hot Nuggets
While classic dill pickles and white bread are non-negotiable for an authentic Nashville Hot Chicken experience, these versatile nuggets can be enjoyed with a variety of sides. Here are some ideas to complete your meal:
- Creamy Coleslaw: The cool, crunchy slaw offers a fantastic contrast to the spicy chicken.
- Macaroni and Cheese: A rich, cheesy mac and cheese is a comforting pairing that helps temper the heat.
- Potato Salad: Another Southern classic that complements the flavors wonderfully.
- French Fries or Sweet Potato Fries: Crispy fries are always a hit with chicken nuggets, especially if you have extra hot sauce for dipping!
- Corn on the Cob: Sweet corn adds a touch of freshness and sweetness that can be very enjoyable.
- Green Salad with Ranch Dressing: A simple salad with a cooling ranch dressing can lighten the meal while providing another layer of flavor.
Craving More Delicious Recipes?
If you loved these Air Fryer Nashville Hot Chicken Nuggets, explore some of our other fantastic chicken and air fryer creations:
- Classic Nashville Hot Chicken
- Crock Pot Shredded Nashville Hot Chicken
- Easy Baked Ranch Chicken Nuggets
- Homemade Boneless Chicken Wings
- Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets
- Air Fryer Chick-Fil-A Chicken Nuggets
- Crispy Cornflake Chicken Nuggets
- Hearty Air Fryer Meatloaf
- The Best Southern Fried Chicken
- Flavorful BBQ Baked Chicken Thighs
- Crispy Baked Chicken Wings
- Delicious Air Fryer Halloumi
- Quick Air Fryer Chicken Bites
Originally published: March 2022
Updated with new photos and republished: April 2023
Air Fryer Nashville Hot Chicken Nuggets
A tasty appetizer or main dish, these Air Fryer Nashville Hot Chicken Nuggets are tender, spicy and absolutely delicious!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Brine Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
Servings: 5
Author: Brandie Skibinski
Ingredients
Brine:
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 Tablespoon pickle juice
- 1 Tablespoon hot sauce
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Seasoned Flour:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For coating:
- 2 large eggs
Nashville Hot Sauce:
- 1 ½ Tablespoon cayenne pepper
- 1 Tablespoon dark brown sugar
- ½ cup olive oil
For serving:
- ½ cup sliced dill pickles
Instructions
- In a medium sized mixing bowl, prepare brine. Whisk ½ cup buttermilk, 1 Tablespoon pickle juice, and 1 Tablespoon hot sauce together.
- Dice the 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Add to the buttermilk mixture bowl. Let brine for 2 hours. (This makes a big difference but if you are super short on time, try to brine for at least 30 minutes)
- Prepare dredging station: Add 1 cup all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, ½ teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon cumin and ½ teaspoon black pepper in a large ziploc bag (or bowl).
- In a second bowl whisk together 2 large eggs.
- Dredge the chicken (you’ll do this in batches): First, remove chicken from the buttermilk brine and add to the flour in the ziploc bag and shake to coat evenly with flour, then dip the chicken into the whisked eggs and allow the excess egg to drip off.
- Add back to the flour in the ziploc bag and toss to coat.
- Air Fry Chicken: Spray air fryer basket with olive oil non-stick cooking spray. Add the chicken to the basket in a single layer, depending on the size of the basket this may take 2 batches.
- Spray the chicken with more olive oil spray. Set air fryer to 400°F and cook for 5 minutes. Flip, and cook for an additional 5 minutes (or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F).
- While the chicken is cooking, prepare sauce: In a bowl, whisk together 1 ½ Tablespoon cayenne pepper, 1 Tablespoon dark brown sugar and ½ cup olive oil.
- Toss the chicken in the sauce. Serve immediately with ½ cup sliced dill pickles.
Notes
- Chicken tenderloins can be used for this.
- These can be frozen, see tips above.
- Make sure you spray your air fryer with olive oil spray so these won’t stick.
- I prefer to use olive oil spray for air frying as it is less likely to gunk up your air fryer basket over time.
- You will need to cook these in batches, you do not want to overcrowd them.
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Nutrition
Calories: 445kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 27g | Sodium: 1329mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Did you make this recipe? Share it on Instagram @thecountrycook and mention us #thecountrycook!