Oven Fried Nashville-inpsired Hot Chicken Tenders
I LOVE legit Nashville Hot Chicken! In my opinion, unless you’ve been to Prince’s or Hattie B’s, you’ve never had authentic NHC IMHO. The plethora of other joints in Music City aren’t even close, well enough those who try to replicate it across the country. I’ve found some pretty tasty spicy chicken; however, there’s nothing like the yard bird offered at the two OG Nash establishments. I’m not even claiming my interpretation of Oven Fried Nashville-inpsired Hot Chicken Tenders are a distant cousin…hence using the word “inspired.” My version is yummy though, crispy, super simple, as hot as you choose to make it, and makes a great app or meal on the fly. Let’s get cookin’, shall we?
Oven Fried Nashville-inpsired Hot Chicken Tenders
Equipment
- 2 pie tines, or shallow pans
- 1 gallon zip bag
- whisk
- rolling pin and large gallon zip bag (or food processor)
- large baking sheet, prepped with non-stick spray
Ingredients
- 2 lbs white meat chicken tenders
- 1 pint buttermilk
- 2 large eggs slightly beaten
- 4 cups corn flake cereal
- 2 cups panko bread crumbs
- 3 tbsp your choice Nashville Hot Seasoning Blend
- extra cayenne pepper optional: too desired heat level
- 2 tsp dried thyme
- 2 tbsp paprika
- ground sea salt amount to add will vary depending on how much is in your Seasoning Blend
Instructions
- Place tenders in one gallon zip bag. Add buttermilk and [optional] cayenne. I use about a tbsp.
- Shake an store bag in refrigerator for at least 3 hours, up tp 24...much better! Makes sure the chicken stays so tender and juicy...even if you overcook it a bit.
- While chicken is marinating, make breading mixture. I make double batches and keep in my pantry to save time for the next batch.
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
- Place corn flakes in one gallon zip bag. Remove most air before sealing. Using a rolling pin, crush flakes until about the same size as panko crumbs. This only takes a few minutes and is easier than digging out the food processor. If you have one handy, blast away!
- Add panko, Nashville Hot Chicken Seasoning, dried thyme, salt [if needed], and cayenne [if desired] to the crushed corn flakes. Shake shake shake, until thoroughly combined. Pour mix into a pie tin.
- Pour slightly beaten eggs into the other pie tin. I like to add some seasoning and spice to the egg wash as well so the flavors are layered. Completely up to you.
- Remove a tender from bag, gently shake off extra buttermilk. Coat thoroughly in egg wash. Move to breading and coat heavily, and evenly.
- Place breaded tender on prepared sheet pan.
- Lightly spray top of tenders with oil.
- Bake for 20 minutes or internal temperature of thickest piece reaches 165 degrees. Turn pan halfway through time to ensure even cooking [ovens vary].
- For extra crispy, crank oven up to 450 degrees and cook for an additional five minutes.
- Serve with white bread and sliced pickles.
I really hope you enjoy my version of Oven Fried Nashville-inpsired Hot Chicken Tenders. Tweak the recipe to your liking. Spice it up; tone it down! please let me know what you think in a comment [login not required]. And remember to always have fun in the kitchen!
Buy Gillie Chester’s Nashville Authentic Nashville Hot Chicken Seasoning HERE.
