Get all that crunchy, spicy goodness in this healthier version of Nashville hot chicken. Baked, not fried, and insanely delicious!
Looking for the perfect side, try this Dill Pickle Coleslaw.
These chicken tenders are doused in the signature Nashville Hot Chicken red-hot spice and have juiciness from a good dunk in buttermilk. Dredged in breadcrumbs, then baked in the oven till crispy, these Nashville hot chicken tenders are a flavor bomb made a bit healthier by baking rather than frying.
Let's get cooking!
Ingredients
- Buttermilk – The chicken is marinated in buttermilk for at least 6 hours. Yes, this is a “think ahead” meal but it is worth every single second of waiting.
- Hot Chicken Spice – I made my own spice blend of cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic powder, coconut palm sugar, salt and pepper full recipe is linked. You can also find some store-bought brands of pre-mixed Nashville Hot Chicken Spice.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast – Slice the chicken breast into strips (tenders) or you can purchase pre-sliced tenders. This recipe would also work with chicken thighs.
- Eggs – For dredging
- Arrowroot Powder – May be replaced with white flour, but I find arrowroot produces a crispier finished product
- Panko Breadcrumbs – Can easily be replaced with gluten-free breadcrumbs
- Spray Avocado Oil – or coconut oil or olive oil will work
Tools
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Whisk
- Several shallow bowls
- A large sheet pan with a rack
How To Make Healthy Baked Nashville Hot Chicken in the Oven
- Whisk buttermilk and hot spice together in a mixing bowl.
- Slice chicken into strips and place chicken in buttermilk. Coating the strips in the buttermilk mixture.
- Marinate the chicken in the buttermilk in the refrigerator for 6 hours or overnight
- Set up three shallow bowls or dishes. In one place the arrowroot powder and whisk in the hot spice mix. In the second crack and whisk two eggs. In the third put the panko breadcrumbs.
Wipe the excess buttermilk off the chicken tender then dredge in the arrowroot, dip in the egg, and cover in the panko breadcrumb. Repeat breading procedure with all of the chicken.- Place chicken tenders on a large sheet tray.
Wipe the excess buttermilk off the chicken tender then dredge in the arrowroot, dip in the egg, and cover in the panko breadcrumb. Repeat breading procedure with all of the chicken.
- Spray the chicken with avocado oil.
- Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes.
How To Make Nashville Hot Chicken Sauce
The fiery sauce that Nashville hot chicken is typically dredged in is optional. The chicken itself is quite spicy so I prefer a drizzle or dip of sauce rather than a dredge. I also love to drizzle hot honey on top of the chicken tenders.
- Melt 4 tbsp of butter in a saucepan, alternatively heat 4 tbsp of avocado oil for a dairy-free version
- Add in 1.5 tablespoons of Hot Chicken Spice mix.
- Simmer for a few minutes until well combined.
Storage, Reheating and Freezing
- STORAGE – Nashville hot chicken will last 5 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
- REHEATING- You can eat this chicken cold (it is DELICIOUS!) or reheat for 10 minutes in a 350° oven.
- FREEZING- Once the chicken is baked and cooled, you can freeze the tenders on the sheet tray. Once they are frozen pop them into a freezer bag. Then return the bag to the freezer.
Serving Suggestions
How to serve Nashville Hot Chicken
Nashville hot chicken is traditionally served on a piece of bread with a pile of pickles on top.
I prefer to drizzle the hot sauce over the chicken paired with a drizzle of hot honey, for the perfect sweet and spicy hit!
What to serve with Nashville Hot Chicken
Think traditional BBQ side dishes, here are a few ideas:
FAQ
FAQNashville hot chicken is traditionally fried chicken that has been marinated in buttermilk and doused in a hot chicken spice mix. The spice blend contains cayenne pepper and sugar, among other things, to create the signature kick of heat that this dish is famous for.
No. The buttermilk oven fried chicken is not spicy like the Nashville hot chicken. Nashville hot chicken will always have a fiery blend of spices that is added to either the buttermilk, the breadcrumb/batter, or made into a hot sauce to drizzle on top
Chicken tenders are often used to make baked chicken. They cook quickly and have the white meat that is universally popular.
The hot flavor in Nashville hot chicken comes from the cayenne pepper. Often times there is a good amount of black pepper in the mix which will also lend some heat.
Yes, Nashville hot chicken in spicy. This dish is definitely for people that like spice. Certainly you can manage the spice level by the amount of spice mix that you use. However, the mix has copious amounts of cayenne pepper in it. Cayenne is red-hot and has a lingering, pleasant burn on the palate.
The Difference Between Buffalo and Nashville Hot?
These are two very different preparations for chicken. Buffalo chicken is coated in a wet sauce which can have varying degrees of spice. It is typically served on chicken wings and often contains butter, hot sauce and other ingredients. Hot chicken is made with a spice blend that is put into the coating of the fried chicken. The chicken has a crunchy exterior and can have a drizzle of sauce on top.
Remember: Baked Nashville hot chicken in the oven is a DELICIOUS healthier alternative to fried Nashville hot chicken.
Expert tips
- This is a spicy dish. You can dial down the heat of this chicken by using less of the spice. You can turn up the heat by adding more.
- Give the chicken ample time to marinate in the buttermilk which not only imparts flavor but also tenderizes the meat.
- Spray the breaded chicken with avocado oil before baking. This step will ensure that you have crispy, crunchy tenders at the end of the cooking time.
- Serve Nashville hot chicken with some accompaniments that are cooling. Cucumber pickles and creamy salads will help to balance out this hot chicken meal.
Dietary Modifications
- Gluten-Free – Use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs to make this dish gf.
I can’t wait for you to try this Crispy Baked Nashville Hot Chicken Strips Recipe! When you make it, snap a photo and tag me on Instagram @abrapappa or use the hashtag #abraskitchen so I can feature your photo!
If you’ve tried this recipe, don’t forget to rate and leave a comment below. I love to hear from people who’ve made my recipes!
Oven Baked Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 1 tbsp. hot chicken spice
- 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breast sliced into strips
- 1/4 cup arrowroot powder
- 1 tbsp. hot chicken spice
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- spray avocado oil
- hot honey optional, for serving
HOT CHICKEN SPICE SAUCE
- 4 tbsp butter or avocado oil
- 1.5 tbsp hot chicken spice
Instructions
- Whisk buttermilk and 1 tbsp. of the hot spice together in a bowl.
- Slice chicken into strips of equal size and drop into the buttermilk. Stir to coat the chicken in the mixture.
- Marinate the chicken for 6 hours or up to 48 hours in the fridge.
- Set up three shallow dishes or bowls. Put the arrowroot and 1 tbsp. of hot spice in one dish. Beat two eggs well in the second dish. Pour the panko into the third dish.
- Wipe the excess buttermilk off the chicken tender. Then, dredge in the arrowroot mixture. Dip in the egg. Cover in panko and place on a sheet tray with a wire rack. Repeat breading procedure with all of the chicken pieces.
- Once you have all the chicken strips on the wire rack, spray the chicken with the avocado oil. You want the chicken to look moist, not dry before it goes in the oven.
- Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes. When you cut into one of the tenders the meat of the chicken should be white in color and the juices when pressed should run clear.
HOT CHICKEN SAUCE
- In a small saucepan over medium heat melt butter. Whisk in hot spice mix and stir until well combined.
- Once chicken has been removed from the oven drizzle with the hot chicken sauce.
- Optional, also drizzle with hot, sweet, and sticky hot honey.
- Serve with pickles and a cooling salad like cole slaw or pickle potato salad!
Notes
- This is a spicy dish. You can dial down the heat of this chicken by using less of the spice. You can turn up the heat by adding more.
- Give the chicken ample time to marinate in the buttermilk which not only imparts flavor but also tenderizes the meat.
- Spray the breaded chicken with avocado oil before baking. This step will ensure that you have crispy, crunchy tenders at the end of the cooking time.
- Serve Nashville hot chicken with some accompaniments that are cooling. Cucumber pickles and creamy salads will help to balance out this hot chicken meal.
Nutrition
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Dana Suss says
This took a bit of planning and preparation but was SO worth it! Everyone in my family loved it.
Abra Pappa, MS, CNS, LDN says
Yay! Yes, for sure you have to plan ahead for this recipe but so so worth it!