If you love spicy chicken, you have to try these Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders. This recipe was inspired by KFC’s Nashville Fried Chicken (which is so good). It’s quick, easy, and made entirely in the air fryer, so there’s no deep frying or extra grease! It’s perfect for a busy weeknight meal or party appetizer.
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The Nashville sauce is wonderfully spicy with a hint of sweetness and a tangy pop from the pickle juice. I love to add a little brine to the sauce to tie all the flavors together. It’s traditional to serve Nashville hot chicken with dill pickles!
If you like air fryer chicken recipes, you will love my air fryer lemon pepper chicken bites and these juicy air fryer fried chicken thighs.
Why You’ll Love This Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders Recipe
- It’s ready in 20 minutes: It takes just 20 minutes to prepare and cook these Nashville chicken tenders.
- They pair with anything: Make these chicken tenders with any side you want from veggies to potatoes or pasta! They make a great appetizer, too.
- It’s budget-friendly: The ingredients for these spicy chicken strips are affordable and won’t break the bank.
Ingredients
Here are all of the components you will need for this Nashville chicken recipe. This includes what I use to dredge the chicken as well as what you’ll need for the homemade Nashville hot sauce.
For the chicken tenders
- Chicken breasts: I use chicken breasts because they are best for tenders. They are easy to slice and cook perfectly. Feel free to purchase tenderloins to skip a step.
- Flour: A light coating of flour helps the rest of the ingredients stick to the chicken tenders. I use all-purpose flour in this recipe.
- Panko breadcrumbs: I love the crunch of panko breadcrumbs, and they create the perfect crispy coating on the chicken in the air fryer. Feel free to try this recipe with plain breadcrumbs.
- Cayenne pepper: I add some cayenne pepper to the flour for a little extra heat because it helps to bring all the flavors together at the end.
- Dill pickles: Traditional Nashville hot tenders are served with dill pickle slices, so I do the same. They go together so well!
- Eggs: I use eggs so the panko sticks to the chicken as it cooks. They also add flavor and texture to the breading.
For the Nashville hot sauce
- Butter: Not only does the butter add richness to the sauce, but it also helps the sauce to stick to the tenders.
- Brown sugar: The brown sugar adds a subtle sweetness with notes of molasses and caramel. It adds depth to the sauce without affecting the heat level.
- Spices: I use cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. These spices add heat and savory flavor to balance the brown sugar and pickle juice.
- Pickle juice: I use some dill pickle juice since I serve the spicy chicken tenders with pickle slices. It adds tang and a subtle vinegar taste.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Maple: Swap some of the brown sugar in the hot sauce for maple syrup to add depth of flavor.
- Asian-style: Add ginger to the spices and a splash of soy sauce to the eggs for an Asian-inspired flair.
- Lemon pepper: Use lemon pepper seasoning in the flour and the sauce for a zesty citrus version.
How to Make Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders
Here are the instructions on how to make Nashville spicy tenders. I recommend slicing your chicken breasts into strips first to streamline the process.
Step 1: Prepare the dredging components. Combine the flour and cayenne pepper in one bowl, whisked eggs in a second bowl, and panko breadcrumbs in a third bowl.
Step 2: Coat in flour and egg. Place a chicken strip into the flour mixture and ensure it is fully coated. Then, place it into the beaten egg.
Step 3: Coat in breadcrumbs. Once fully coated in the egg, place the chicken into the panko and cover both sides.
Step 4: Place the chicken in the air fryer. Repeat the process and arrange some of the chicken tenders in the air fryer basket. Spray with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Step 5: Cook. Air fry the chicken for 5 minutes at 400°F. Flip and lightly spray again. Then, cook for an additional 5 minutes. Repeat this process for any remaining pieces of chicken.
Step 6: Make the sauce. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat and whisk in the brown sugar, cayenne, garlic, paprika, and pickle juice. Cook the sauce for about 5 minutes, and then remove the pan from the heat.
Step 7: Coat the tenders. Pour the sauce over the chicken and toss to coat.
Step 8: Serve. Enjoy with sliced dill pickles and a side dish like fries!
Recipe Tips
- Serve the sauce on the side: Instead of coating your chicken in the Nashville hot sauce, serve it as a dipping sauce on the side.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket: For maximum crispiness and even cooking, don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the chicken in batches if needed.
- Ensure the chicken is dry: Pat the chicken tenders dry to ensure the breading sticks to them.
- Preheat before cooking: Preheat your air fryer before cooking the chicken tenders to ensure that they cook evenly!
If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy these sweet and spicy Hot Honey Chicken Tenders or this Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken recipe!
Storage Directions
- Storing: Store leftover Nashville tenders in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. I recommend wrapping each tender in plastic wrap before placing them into a freezer bag and storing in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: These are best reheated in the oven or air fryer. The microwave will make them soggy.
- Make Ahead: Dredge your chicken strips and lay them on a wire rack over a baking sheet. Place them in the refrigerator for a couple of hours before you cook them. This makes dinner easy!
Serving Suggestions
- Various creamy dips go perfectly with these spicy tenders. Some of my favorites are buffalo ranch, buttermilk ranch, and homemade tzatziki sauce.
- Serve these tenders with these easy air fryer steak fries for a quick and easy meal.
- Make a side of bacon mac and cheese or slice the chicken and serve it right on top!
Recipe FAQs
Sure! Set your oven to 400°F and bake them for 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway.
Yes! I like to spray them with olive oil cooking spray but you can brush them instead.
For thicker breading, dip the chicken into egg and panko twice. Just ensure that the chicken is fully cooked before serving it and you may need more egg and breadcrumbs.
More Delicious Chicken Tender Recipes
If you try this recipe and love it please leave a star rating in the recipe card below or even better, drop a review in the comment section, I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to follow along with me on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube for more easy recipes!
Nashville Chicken Strips
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts boneless and skinless
- 1 cup flour
- ½ tablespoon cayenne pepper
- ½ cup dill pickles sandwich slices
- 2 large eggs beaten
Nashville sauce
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons pickle juice
Instructions
For the Chicken
- Get out and measure all of your ingredients.
- Place chicken breasts on a cutting board and cut into strips.
- Prepare the dredging station. Add flour and cayenne pepper to a bowl and stir to combine. Whisk eggs in a separate bowl. Add panko bread crumbs to the final bowl.
- One by one, dredge the chicken first into the flour.
- Then, dip into the eggs.
- Lastly, dip into the panko crumbs.
- Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper. Place chicken tenders into the basket, carefully space to prevent them from sticking to one another. Spray the chicken tenders with canola oil or cooking spray.
- Set air fryer to 400°F. Cook for 5 minutes. Flip, then spray lightly with canola oil. Cook for an additional 5 minutes.
For the Nashville Sauce
- While the chicken tenders are cooking, prepare Nashville sauce. In a small saucepan, add butter over medium heat.
- Allow butter to melt.
- Whisk in brown sugar, cayenne pepper, garlic, paprika, and pickle juice.
- Cook for 5 minutes over medium low heat. Remove from heat.
- Remove chicken strips from air fryer.
- Place in a heat resistant bowl.
- Pour Nashville sauce over chicken strips and toss to coat.
- Serve immediately with dill pickles. Enjoy every bite!
Notes
- You can serve the sauce on the side instead of tossing them in it if you prefer. This works great when you have a few picky eaters.
- It's best to cook the chicken in batches rather than overcrowding the basket. This will cook them up much crispier and aid in more even cooking.
- Use one hand to dip the chicken in the wet ingredients and one to dip in the wet so you avoid messy fingers.
Nutrition
This post was originally published March 2021. It's been updated with new content.
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