Air Fryer Nashville Hot Chicken

4 from 3 votes

Air fryer Nashville hot chicken is a healthier version of the classic spicy fried chicken! Crispy buttermilk-soaked chicken thighs are fried until perfectly crispy and brushed in a spicy cayenne sauce.

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Marinating Time 1 hour

Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes

Servings servings

Calories 409kcal

Ingredients

Fried Chicken

1-1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
1-1/2 cups buttermilk
Kosher salt and pepper
1 tablespoon hot sauce
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour (or whole wheat)
1/2 cup cornstarch
Canola or vegetable oil spray

Sauce

2 tablespoons cayenne pepper (or more depending on your spice tolerance)
1 tablespoon light brown sugar (or coconut sugar)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
Dill pickles for serving

Instructions

Fried Chicken

In a large bowl, whisk buttermilk, hot sauce, 1 tablespoon salt, and several shakes of pepper. Add chicken to buttermilk mixture, making sure chicken is fully submerged. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate chicken at least 1 hour or up to 8.
Remove chicken from fridge and mix beaten egg into mixture until combined. Set aside for a moment.
In a large shallow bowl or pie plate, combine flour, cornstarch, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Drizzle 2 tablespoons buttermilk marinade over top and toss to combine.
Add the chicken to the flour mixture, turning and tossing in flour mixture until evenly coated. Allow chicken to sit in flour mixture 10 minutes. Meanwhile, spray the grate on a 4-qt air fryer and preheat 3 minutes at 400F.
Working in two batches, spray both sides of two breaded chicken thighs well with pan spray. Place in a single layer in air fryer and fry at 400F 10 minutes until chicken registers 165F, flipping thighs halfway through cooking. Repeat frying process with remaining breaded chicken.

Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk all sauce ingredients until smooth and season with salt and pepper to taste. Brush sauce evenly over hot fried chicken and serve hot with pickles. Enjoy!

Video

Nutrition