Nashville Hot Chicken: How it Happened and Why It’s Here to Stay

Nashville Hot Chicken has taken the restaurant world by storm (a heat wave, to be exact). As its name suggests, it's a type of chicken originating in Tennessee. Defined by its spice, it began as an accident before evolving into a culinary phenomenon. Here’s what to know about Nashville Hot Chicken's origins and what makes it a sizzling sensation (and a great addition to the Atomic Cowboy menu).  

A Chicken Leg Legend

According to lunchtime lore and André Prince Jeffries, the owner of Prince’s Hot Chicken, Nashville Hot Chicken originated from a lover’s quarrel. Jeffries’s great uncle, Thornton Prince, was known for his philandering and once angered the wrong woman. In an act of revenge, she served him extra-spicy chicken, a plan that backfired when Thorton enjoyed the recipe. He opened a restaurant in the 1930s, and the legend of Nashville Hot Chicken was born. 

What Makes It So Special

The key to Nashville Hot Chicken’s success is its spiciness. It involves marinating chicken in buttermilk, coating it in a flour mix rich with pepper, frying the chicken, and finishing with a glaze made of oil, cayenne, and melted butter. 

Although the dish’s heat is its main appeal, no specific level of spiciness can be considered the standard. Prince’s Hot Chicken, widely recognized as the go-to spot in Tennessee for Nashville Hot Chicken, provides a range of spice levels: plain, lite mild, mild, medium, hot, X hot, XX hot, and XXX hot. This variety allows everyone to enjoy the dish, even those whose taste buds can’t handle intense heat. 

While preparation is somewhat flexible, the presentation remains traditional. Typically, Nashville Hot Chicken is served on white bread (to help absorb the mouth-searing juices) and a side of pickles, which help balance the flaming flavors.

Transcending Cities

Nashville Hot Chicken may be a staple of Tennessee dining, but its popularity extends beyond state borders; it has gained significant recognition nationwide and around the globe. Even Colonel Sanders has jumped on board, as KFC offers its own version. 

With its unique ability to add flavor, it’s safe to say that Nashville Hot Chicken is here to stay. In other words, the heat is on for the long haul.  

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