Nashville Hot Honey Chicken Sliders

These Nashville Hot Honey Butter Chicken Sliders bring together spicy Southern flavor and sweet heat in a perfectly sized package. Inspired by memories of fiery chicken sandwiches in Nashville, this recipe is perfect for casual weeknight dinners and game day gatherings, featuring crispy fried chicken with hot honey butter glaze on soft Hawaiian rolls.

I've made these for countless gatherings and they're always the first thing to disappear from the table. My teenage son and his friends inhale them during football watch parties, and I love being able to control the spice level by adjusting the cayenne in the butter sauce.

Gather Your Ingredients

• 2 large chicken breasts: Cut into slider sized pieces. Use similar thickness pieces for even cooking. Pound if needed to get uniform pieces.
• 1 cup buttermilk: Tenderizes chicken and helps coating stick beautifully. The acidity keeps the meat juicy.
• 1 tsp hot sauce (for marinade): Adds tang and slight heat, any Louisiana style sauce works.
• 1 cup all purpose flour: Base of your crispy coating. Use unbleached for best texture.
• ½ cup cornstarch: Secret to an extra crispy exterior that stays crunchy after saucing.
• 1 tsp paprika: Provides color and mild sweet pepper flavor to the breading.
• ½ tsp smoked paprika: Adds depth and smokiness that mimics traditional charred flavor.
• ½ tsp garlic powder: Savory depth to the coating without overpowering.
• ½ tsp salt: Essential for proper seasoning so every bite is complete.
• ½ tsp black pepper: A subtle background heat and aromatic quality.
• 2 cups oil (for frying): Neutral, high smoke point oil like vegetable or peanut oil.
• 3 tbsp butter, melted: Base of the Nashville style sauce that adds richness.
• 1 tbsp hot sauce (like Frank's Red Hot): For finishing butter, adds tangy heat.
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper: Main heat in the butter sauce. Start with less for milder spice.
• 8 Hawaiian rolls: Toasted. Sweet, soft rolls balance the heat and are slider sized.
• 8 pickle chips: Acidity and crunch cut through the richness for classic Nashville flavor.
• ¼ cup mayo mixed with 1 tsp garlic powder: Creamy sauce adds moisture and another layer of flavor.

How to Make It

Marinate the Chicken:

Place chicken pieces in a bowl or zip bag. Pour buttermilk and hot sauce over, submerge all pieces, and refrigerate at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.

Prepare the Breading Station:

In a wide shallow dish, combine flour, cornstarch, paprika, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to distribute spices evenly.

Coat the Chicken Pieces:

Remove chicken from buttermilk, let excess drip off. Press into flour mixture to coat all sides, then let breaded pieces sit on a rack about 5 minutes.

Heat the Oil Properly:

Pour oil into a heavy skillet to about one inch deep. Heat to 350°F. Test with a pinch of flour; it should sizzle and float when ready.

Fry the Chicken to Golden Perfection:

Fry chicken in batches, 5 to 7 minutes per side, until golden brown and 165°F inside. Transfer to a wire rack to stay crispy.

Create the Nashville Hot Butter:

Combine melted butter, hot sauce, and cayenne in a bowl; whisk until smooth and vibrant orange red. Adjust cayenne to taste.

Apply the Signature Glaze:

Brush hot butter sauce over hot fried chicken to coat generously for Nashville flavor.

Toast the Hawaiian Rolls:

Split and toast roll halves in a dry skillet or under the broiler until lightly golden.

Assemble Your Sliders:

Spread garlic mayo on each roll bottom, top with chicken, pickles, then the top roll. Serve immediately while hot and crispy.

The smoked paprika is a touch I added after experimenting to achieve authentic flavor without smoking the meat. My family now insists on this version, and even my picky daughter always comes back for seconds by adding extra mayo.

Flavor Boosters

Try adding honey drizzled over the sliders before serving for balanced sweet heat. For extra zest, toss in a pinch of chili powder or add extra hot sauce to the butter. Fresh dill or chives brighten the slider along with bonus acidity from more pickles or coleslaw.

Serving Suggestions

Serve sliders on a large platter with extra pickles, garlic mayo, and hot sauce on the side so guests can customize. Pair with crispy fries, sweet potato fries, green salad, or corn on the cob for a classic Southern touch. A beverage like cold beer, lemonade, or sweet tea helps mellow the heat.

Creative Twists

Swap in chicken thighs for juicier sliders, use brioche or butter lettuce wraps for a lower carb option, or make a vegetarian batch with battered cauliflower steaks. The breaded chicken also works with an air fryer or baked for a lighter version. Bulk-prep the breading mix for quick weeknight meals.

These sliders are a game day winner and guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Make an extra batch to freeze for quick weeknight meals, and enjoy the irresistible combination of crunch, spice, and sweetness every time.

Common Questions About This Recipe

→ How can I make the chicken extra crispy?

For extra crispiness, dredge the chicken in a mix of flour and cornstarch before frying. Ensure the oil is hot before adding the chicken to avoid sogginess.

→ Is buttermilk necessary for marinating?

Buttermilk helps tenderize the chicken and adds tang, but if unavailable, use milk with a splash of lemon juice as a substitute.

→ What rolls pair best with these sliders?

Soft, slightly sweet Hawaiian rolls are ideal, but any soft slider buns will work well for this dish.

→ Can I adjust the spice level?

Adjust the cayenne pepper and hot sauce quantities to your taste. For milder sliders, reduce the spices or use a milder hot sauce.

→ How should I serve the sliders for a gathering?

Serve the sliders warm with a side of extra pickles and a drizzle of honey butter sauce for guests to customize their sandwiches.