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Nashville Hot Chicken Wings

Nashville Hot Chicken Wings – Crispy chicken wings marinated in a buffalo buttermilk sauce that are then coated in the blend of spices before being baked. They are then coated with a spicy homemade sauce! A flavorful and delicious appetizer!

Nashville Hot Chicken Wings

With summer in full swing, I have been on the hunt for new appetizers to serve at parties! One of the most popular recently has been this Nashville hot chicken wings recipe which is inspired by a Nashville hot chicken sandwich served at one of my favorite local restaurants. Now I’ll be honest, this is a spicy recipe so if you don’t like some heat, you might want to steer clear of this one. The recipe uses 3/4 cup of buffalo sauce plus additional spices such as cayenne to bring the heat. The chicken wings are marinated and covered in sauce so ever bite is bursting with flavor.

Common Questions About Making Nashville Hot Chicken Wings

What are nashville hot chicken wings?

Dry rub chicken wings are chicken wing portions that are marinated and then coated in a blend of spices before being baked or air fryed. They are served coated with a homemade hot sauce.

How many servings does this recipe make?

This recipe makes about 4 servings but it can easily be doubled or tripled if you want to make them for a bigger group of people.

How long do they last?

They don’t last long as they start to loose their crispy exterior so I suggest enjoying them immediately after they come out of the oven.

What other chicken wing recipes can I make?

Some of my other favorite chicken wing recipes include –

Ingredient Notes –

  • I’m using chicken wing portions– where the flat and drummet are separated but you could use whole wings if you prefer.
  • Buttermilk helps tenderize the chicken wings– it also keeps them moist and helps balance out some of the spice.
  • Buffalo sauce adds a bit of spice and sweetness that pairs well with the other flavors in the breading and sauce.
  • Cayenne is the main source of spice in these wings– just like in traditional Nashville Hot Chicken. If spice isn’t your thing, feel free to reduce the amount as much as needed.
  • Flour helps coat the chicken wings so they become crispy.
  • Garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika add even more flavor to the chicken wings!
  • Butter helps thin the sauce so it coats the chicken wings smoothly.
  • Light brown sugar adds just a hint of sweetness– trust me, it’s delicious!

Looking for more appetizer recipes? Check these out!

Yield: 4 Servings

Nashville Hot Chicken Wings

Nashville Hot Chicken Wings

Nashville Hot Chicken Wings – Crispy chicken wings marinated in a buffalo buttermilk sauce that are then coated in the blend of spices before being baked. They are then coated with a spicy homemade sauce! A flavorful and delicious appetizer!

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Additional Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 35 minutes

Ingredients

For the Chicken Wings

  • 1 pound chicken wing portions
  • 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
  • 1/4 cup buffalo sauce
  • 4 tablespoons cayenne pepper, divided
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

For the Hot Sauce

  • 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
  • 4 tablespoon butter (melted)
  • 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

Instructions

Prep

  1. Place the chicken wings, buttermilk, buffalo sauce, and 2 tablespoons cayenne in a large bowl and toss to combine. Cover and place the chicken in the fridge to marinate for 2 hours. If you are pressed for time, you can skip the marinating but it really makes the chicken tender and juicy.
  2. Remove the chicken wings from the buttermilk marinade and pat them dry with a paper towel.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Add the chicken wings to the flour mixture and toss to combine.

Cooking Instructions

For the Air Fryer

  1. Spray the air fryer basket with non-stick spray and place as many chicken wings as will fit in the basket - you don't want to overcrowd the basket.
  2. Spray the chicken wings with non-stick spray and cook at 385 degrees F for 10 minutes. Flip the chicken wings and then cook them at 400 degrees F for another 8-10 minutes, or until they are crispy and the internal temperature registers 165 degrees F on an instant read thermometer.

For the Oven

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and place a baking rack over a rimmed sheet pan.
  2. Place the chicken wings skin side up on the baking sheet and cook for 20 minutes.
  3. Flip the chicken wings and cook for an additional 15 minutes.

For the Hot Sauce and Assembly

  1. Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl. If the sugar doesn't dissolve, microwave the mixture for 30 seconds and then stir.
  2. Set aside until the chicken wings are ready.
  3. Brush the cooked chicken wings with the sauce and enjoy immediately.
  4. These chicken wings are best enjoyed immediately but they can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days.

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