Air Fryer Nashville Hot Chicken
Ready in about 44 minutes.
Updated 7 September 2026
Crunchy fried chicken brushed with a fiery cayenne-and-brown-sugar oil, the fiery Tennessee classic. The air fryer gives you a crackly crust with less mess, then a hot paste brings the signature blazing red heat.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken thighs, bone-in
- 200 ml buttermilk
- 150 g plain flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 egg
- 3 tbsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 4 tbsp neutral oil
Method
- 1Soak the chicken in buttermilk and egg for 30 minutes.
- 2Dredge in seasoned flour, pressing to coat well.
- 3Preheat the air fryer to 190°C (375°F) and spray the chicken with oil.
- 4Cook for 22-26 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crisp.
- 5Warm the oil with cayenne, sugar and paprika into a hot paste.
- 6Check the chicken reaches 74°C (165°F), then brush generously with the hot oil.
Tips for the best results
- Adjust the cayenne to your heat tolerance, it is seriously spicy.
- Serve on white bread with pickles the traditional way.
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature and time for air fryer nashville hot chicken?+
Cook at 190°C / 375°F for 22-26 min, flip halfway.