Tennessee

Nashville Hot Chicken Mac

Nashville's famous hot chicken - born at Prince's Hot Chicken Shack in the 1930s - brings the heat to this mac and cheese. Cayenne-crusted crispy chicken over creamy Southern mac with pickles, just like the original.

⏱55 min 🍴Serves 6 Medium

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Marinate chicken in buttermilk for 30 minutes (or overnight). Cook macaroni until al dente.
  2. Dredge chicken in seasoned flour. Deep fry at 350°F until golden and cooked through.
  3. Make hot paste: Mix cayenne, brown sugar, paprika, and 1/4 cup hot frying oil.
  4. Brush hot paste generously over fried chicken. Let it soak in.
  5. Melt butter in a saucepan. Whisk in 1/4 cup flour, cook 2 minutes. Add milk gradually until thick.
  6. Remove from heat. Stir in cheddar until smooth.
  7. Fold pasta into cheese sauce. Serve in bowls.
  8. Top with sliced hot chicken, pickles, and serve with white bread on the side.

Pro Tips

  • The hot paste using frying oil is what makes Nashville hot chicken authentic - the fat carries the heat!
  • Prince's Hot Chicken has been serving since the 1930s - legend says it was revenge that backfired.
  • Pickles are essential - they cool the heat and add necessary tang.
  • White bread is traditional with Nashville hot chicken - it soaks up the spicy drippings.