Description
This easy sandwich combines crispy Nashville hot chicken with melty cheese and buttery toasted bread, perfect for a cozy family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 tbsp hot sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 to 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1–2 tbsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 tbsp brown sugar (optional)
- 1 tsp paprika
- 8 slices sandwich bread or 4 sandwich rolls, buttered on the outside
- 6–8 slices cheddar or American cheese
- Dill pickle slices (optional)
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise (optional)
Instructions
- Pat chicken dry and pound to even thickness. Place chicken in a bowl with buttermilk, hot sauce, and salt. Chill at least 30 minutes or up to overnight.
- Pour oil into a deep skillet or pan to a 1/2-inch depth. Heat over medium-high until it reaches about 350°F.
- Mix flour, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish. Dredge each chicken piece in the flour mix, pressing to coat well.
- Fry chicken 3–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a wire rack to rest.
- In a small saucepan, melt butter with cayenne, paprika, and brown sugar. Stir until smooth, then remove from heat.
- Brush or spoon the spicy oil over the fried chicken until nicely coated.
- Butter the outsides of bread slices. On the inside, spread a little mayo if desired. Place a slice of cheese, the hot chicken, pickles, and another cheese slice if you want extra melt. Top with another slice of bread.
- Heat a skillet over medium-low heat and cook sandwiches 2–3 minutes per side until bread is golden and cheese is melted.
Notes
For less heat, use 1 tbsp cayenne or swap for sweet paprika. Store cooled chicken in airtight containers for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg