NASHVILLE-STYLE HOT CHICKEN SANDWICH

Nashville-Style Hot Chicken Sandwich image

Our take on the Nashville specialty relies on spicy paprika and hot sauce for its fiery kick. Tame the heat with sweetened pickles sandwiched between thick slices of crispy toast and a simple, lightly dressed coleslaw on the side.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Time 1h15m

Number Of Ingredients 19

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Ingredients

1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon white vinegar
4 cups finely shredded cabbage
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 teaspoon hot paprika
1/4 cup hot sauce, such as Frank's RedHot
2 teaspoons packed light-brown sugar
4 small boneless chicken thighs, lightly pounded (12 ounces total)
4 cups vegetable or other neutral-flavored oil, for frying
1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning or hot sauce, such as Frank's RedHot
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
2 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
Unsalted butter
8 slices white or Texas toast
Bread-and-butter pickles, for serving
1 teaspoon baking powder

Steps:

Coleslaw: Whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon, and vinegar. Pour over cabbage and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Coleslaw will keep in the refrigerator, covered, up to 3 days.
Hot Chicken Sauce: Stir together Frank's RedHot sauce, melted unsalted butter, hot paprika, and brown sugar.
Sandwich: Remove oyster from chicken thigh and set aside. Working one at a time, pound each thigh between two pieces of plastic to an even 1/8-inch thickness. Let sit, covered with plastic, at room temperature while preparing remaining ingredients, at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Fill a medium heavy pot, preferably cast-iron, about halfway with oil. Heat oil over medium-high to 375 degrees. Meanwhile, whisk together buttermilk and Old Bay or hot sauce in a medium bowl; season with salt and pepper. In a shallow dish, season 1 cup flour with salt and pepper; whisk to combine. In a separate shallow dish, season remaining 1 1/2 cups flour with baking soda, salt, and pepper and whisk to combine. Add 1/3 cup buttermilk mixture and stir together to create ragged clumps. Working with two pieces at a time, dredge chicken in plain flour mixture, then buttermilk mixture. Let excess drip off, then dip in clumpy flour mixture, pressing firmly to adhere and making sure chicken is completely coated. If wet spots are visible, press in more coating.
Fry until golden brown and cooked through, adjusting heat as needed to keep oil between 360 and 380 degrees, about 3 minutes. Drain on a rimmed baking sheet fitted with a wire rack. Repeat with remaining chicken. To serve, lightly butter both sides of roll and place in the oven to lightly toast. Brush chicken with hot chicken sauce, then place on white or Texas toast with pickles and coleslaw.