Homemade Nashville Hot Grilled Chicken
Introduction
Turn up the heat with Homemade Nashville Hot Grilled Chicken—a spicy, juicy twist on classic grilled chicken that brings bold Southern flavors right to your backyard. With a crave-worthy combination of smoky char and fiery spice, this recipe is guaranteed to become your go-to for summer cookouts and casual weeknight dinners alike. Impress your family or friends with a dish that hits all the right notes: crispy, tender, and bursting with flavor in every bite.
Why Homemade Nashville Hot Grilled Chicken Is a Must-Make
Classic Nashville hot chicken is famous for its ultra-crispy, fiery fried crust. This grilled spin gives you the same zesty punch but with less mess and fewer calories—no deep frying required. The spice-packed marinade delivers authentic Nashville flavor, while grilling imparts irresistible smokiness. It’s a fuss-free way to enjoy a fiery crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for serving at gatherings or prepping for easy weeknight lunches.
Unlocking Deep Flavor with the Hot Chicken Marinade
The secret to outstanding Nashville hot chicken is in the marinade—a blend of tangy buttermilk, fiery hot sauce, and fragrant spices. Marinating the chicken not only infuses it with flavor but also keeps every bite juicy and tender. For extra depth, the marinade doubles as a spicy mop sauce for brushing onto the chicken as it grills, building up a layered, mouth-tingling glaze.
Grilling Your Nashville Hot Chicken to Perfection
After marinating, the chicken is grilled until beautifully charred on the outside and perfectly juicy inside. Frequent basting with the reserved spicy butter infuses it with iconic Nashville heat and a fabulously rich, glistening finish. Finish the chicken with a final brush of hot sauce just before serving for maximum kick. For best results, use bone-in chicken thighs or drumsticks for extra tenderness and flavor.
Serving Suggestions for a Crowd-Pleasing Nashville Hot Chicken
Serve your spicy grilled chicken on a slice of soft white bread with homemade pickles for a true Nashville experience. Round out the meal with creamy coleslaw, crisp potato wedges, or tangy pickled vegetables to cool off the heat. This dish shines both as a main entrée or chopped into spicy chicken wraps and bowls for make-ahead lunches.
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
This recipe serves 4 and, when made with skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs, each serving contains roughly 350-400 calories depending on the amount of spicy butter used for basting. For a lighter version, substitute boneless, skinless cuts and reduce the basting butter if desired.
Homemade Nashville Hot Grilled Chicken (Recap)
By marrying fiery hot spices with smoky, juicy grilled chicken, this recipe brings iconic Nashville flavor to your next cookout or weeknight meal. Mouthwatering, vibrant, and easy enough for any griller, it’s sure to win fans of spicy food and classic comfort alike.
Ingredients
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Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together buttermilk, hot sauce, paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Add chicken, turning to coat well. Cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Meanwhile, combine all hot butter baste ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
- Remove chicken from marinade and shake off excess. Pat dry lightly, but don’t rinse. Oil grill grates to prevent sticking.
- Grill chicken over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, for about 20–25 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear.
- During the last 10 minutes of grilling, repeatedly baste chicken with the hot butter mixture, turning to glaze all sides. Reserve a tablespoon of baste for serving.
- Transfer grilled chicken to a platter. Brush with any remaining hot butter baste. Serve hot on bread with pickles and coleslaw if desired.
Weekly Meal Planning
This recipe is perfect for weekly meal prep, offering bold flavor that holds up well for days. Save and schedule this recipe to your meal planner to auto-generate a smart shopping list, merging ingredients needed for all your planned meals.
Benefits of planning with CookifyAI:
- Calculates total ingredient amounts across your whole meal plan, so you only buy what you need
- Organizes your shopping list by grocery store aisle for speedy trips
- Eliminates duplicate items, prevents forgotten ingredients, and reduces food waste
- Simplifies weekly meal prep with a single tap
Pro tip: Plan your smoky Nashville Hot Grilled Chicken alongside other grill recipes (like veggie skewers or grilled corn) and CookifyAI will auto-combine and update the shopping list, keeping you organized and minimizing kitchen stress.
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus 2+ hours marinating)
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes (including marinate time)
