Go Back
+ servings
Nashville hot chicken tenders on bread with pickles
Print

Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders

These Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders are brined in buttermilk and breaded with the best seasoning. From there the chicken strips are baked or fried to get them extra crispy and tender. Drizzle the chicken fingers in a hot and spicy butter sauce for amazing flavor.
Course dinner, lunch
Cuisine American, Nashville, Southern
Keyword Nashville hot chicken, Nashville hot chicken tenders
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 361kcal

Ingredients

Nashville Hot Sauce Mixture

Instructions

  • Combine the flour, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to taste in a bowl large enough to dredge the chicken tenders.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and egg in a bowl large enough to dredge the chicken.
  • Dredge the chicken tenders in the flour mixture, then the buttermilk and egg mixture, and again in the flour mixture. Keep a moist towel nearby. Your hands will get sticky.

Air Fryer Instructions

  • Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil. Add the breaded tenders to the basket. Spritz the tenders with cooking oil spray.
  • Air fry for 8 minutes at 400 degrees.
  • Open the air fryer and flip the tenders. Be careful so that you do not lose any of the breading. Air fry for an additional 4-8 minutes at 400 degrees or until the chicken is crisp.
  • Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. 
  • Combine the melted butter, Louisiana Hot Sauce, cayenne pepper, brown sweetener or sugar, smoked paprika, and chili powder in a bowl. Taste the sauce repeatedly and make adjustments as needed. The sauce will provide the flavor for the chicken tenders.
  • Remove the tenders from the air fryer. Drizzle the tenders in the hot sauce mixture.
  • Serve.

Oven Baking Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Place an oven-safe baking rack on a baking sheet or a sheet pan. Lightly spray with non-stick spray. (The baking rack will produce crispy tenders and is optional. You can use just the sheet pan with parchment paper if you wish).
  • Place the breaded tenders on the rack or sheet pan. Spritz the tenders with cooking oil spray.
  • Bake for 10 minutes.
  • Flip each chicken tender, be careful so that you do not lose any of the breading. Bake for another 10 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. 
  • Combine the melted butter, Louisiana Hot Sauce, cayenne pepper, brown sweetener or sugar, smoked paprika, and chili powder in a bowl. Taste the sauce repeatedly and make adjustments as needed. The sauce will provide the flavor for the chicken tenders.
  • Remove the tenders from the oven. Drizzle the tenders in the hot sauce mixture.
  • Serve.

Notes

If you want mild heat on the lower end of the spectrum, I recommend using The Original Brand Louisiana Hot Sauce.
If you want medium-level spice, I recommend using The Original Brand Louisiana Hot Sauce with 1-2 teaspoons of cayenne pepper.
If you want hot, I recommend using Louisiana's Hotter than Hot Sauce along with 1-2 teaspoons of cayenne pepper.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 361kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 14g