There’s nothing like the perfect bite of a crispy, spicy Nashville Hot Chicken Slider. The heat, the crunch, the tangy pickles, and that creamy dill mayo all come together to make a sandwich that keeps you coming back for more. Whether you’re making these for game day, a backyard cookout, or just because, this recipe will always be in rotation!

What you need to make Nashville Hot Chicken Sliders

For the Homemade Nashville Hot Seasoning:

Cayenne pepper – For the heat.
Paprika – Smoked or regular.
Brown sugar – To balance out all of the heat.
Garlic powder – Adds depth of flavor.
Kosher salt & black pepper
Ground cinnamon – A subtle warm spice. The secret ingredient!
Onion powder

You can always buy a pre-made Nashville hot seasoning if you prefer.

For the Sliders:

Slider buns – I like to use brioche but you can use any that you like!
Boneless chicken thighs (cut in half) – Juicy and perfect for frying. You can use breasts if you prefer, you should be able to get 4 sliders from 1 breast.
Buttermilk – For the marinade, help tenderize the chicken.
Pickle juice – For the marinade, adds tangy moisture.
¼ of the Seasoning blend – add to the marinade
Lettuce and pickles – for slider toppings
Oil for frying – any neutral oil works. Will also use some of the frying oil for the nashville hot sauce

Dry Ingredients:

All-purpose flour – Creates the crispy crust.
1/4 of the seasoning blend

For the Dill Mayo:

Mayo – Creamy and cooling.
Fresh dill (chopped) – Brings a fresh, herby taste.
Lemon juice – Adds brightness.
Dijon mustard – A slight tang and sweetness
Salt and pepper to taste

How to Make Nashville Hot Chicken Sliders

Make the Nashville Hot Seasoning – In a bowl, combine all the spices to create your seasoning blend.
Marinate the Chicken – In another bowl, mix the buttermilk, pickle juice, and 1/4 of the seasoning blend. Add the chicken, cover, and refrigerate for at least a couple of hours or overnight.
Prepare the Mayo – Combine the mayonnaise, fresh dill, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Mix well and set aside.
Heat the Oil – Preheat your frying oil to 350°F.
Coat the Chicken – In a bowl, mix the flour with 1/4 of the seasoning blend. Dredge each piece of chicken in the seasoned flour, pressing it in to ensure it sticks.
Fry the Chicken – Place the coated chicken on a baking rack while the oil heats. Fry each piece until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F, about 5-6 minutes.
Make the Nashville Hot Oil – Mix some of the hot frying oil (about ¾ cup) with the remaining seasoning blend to create the spicy sauce. Baste it over the freshly fried chicken.
Assemble the Sliders – Spread dill mayo on the buns, add lettuce and pickles, then top with the hot chicken. Serve and enjoy!

Why You Will Love These Nashville Hot Chicken Sliders

The perfect balance of crispy, spicy, and tangy flavors.
Great for parties, gatherings, or a fun dinner at home.
The homemade Nashville hot seasoning adds an authentic kick.
Easy to make and even easier to eat!

Tips for the Best Nashville Hot Chicken Sliders

Let the chicken marinate overnight for the best flavor.
Press the flour coating firmly onto the chicken to create a crispier crust.
Use a thermometer to keep the oil at a steady 350°F for even frying.
Serve immediately for the crispiest, juiciest results.

Nashville Hot Chicken Sliders

Crispy, spicy, and packed with flavor, these sliders are the ultimate party food with a fiery kick!

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Total Time 40

Course Appetizer

Servings 12

Ingredients

For the Seasoning:

4 tbsp cayenne pepper
2 tbsp paprika
2 tbsp brown sugar
2 tsp garlic powder
1 tbsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp onion powder

For the Sliders:

12 slider buns
6 boneless chicken thighs cut in half
2 cups buttermilk
Cooking oil vegetable, canola, or avocado for frying
1/4 cup pickle juice
1/4 of the seasoning blend

Dry Ingredients:

3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 of the seasoning blend

For the Dill Mayo:

1/2 cup mayo
2 tbsp fresh dill chopped
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

In a bowl, mix the buttermilk, pickle juice, and 1/4 of the seasoning blend. Add the chicken, cover, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
In another small bowl, mix the mayonnaise, fresh dill, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
Preheat oil to 350°F.
In a separate bowl, mix the flour with 1/4 of the seasoning blend. Dredge chicken in the flour mixture, pressing firmly to coat.
Place coated chicken on a baking rack while oil finishes heating.
Fry chicken for 5-6 minutes, until golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
In a separate bowl, mix some of the hot frying oil (about ¾ cup) with the remaining seasoning blend to create the hot oil. Baste over the fried chicken.
Assemble sliders by spreading dill mayo on the buns, adding lettuce and pickles, then topping with the hot chicken.
Serve immediately and enjoy!