Nashville Hot Chicken

Nashville Hot Chicken is a fiery, flavor-packed fried chicken dish originating from Nashville, Tennessee. It consists of traditionally fried chicken coated in a spicy paste made from cayenne pepper, paprika, and other spices, often served on white bread with pickles to balance the heat.

🍳 View the full Nashville Hot Chicken recipe →

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

It is high in fat and protein from the fried chicken, with moderate carbs from the breading and bread, and provides key nutrients like iron and B vitamins. A typical serving can range from 800 to over 1,200 calories, depending on the cut of chicken and level of spiciness.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	550 kcal
Protein	35 g
Carbs	30 g
Fat	35 g
Fiber	2 g
Sugar	1 g
Sodium	1800 mg
Iron	2.5 mg
Potassium	450 mg
Phosphorus	300 mg
Vitamin B6	0.5 mg
Niacin (B3)	10 mg
Vitamin B12	0.4 mcg
Zinc	2.5 mg
Magnesium	40 mg

Per 1 piece (approx. 200 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Culturally, it's a beloved staple with a legendary origin story involving a scorned lover, and it's famous for its heat levels, often rated on a scale from 'mild' to 'shut the cluck up.' Nutritionally, the capsaicin in the cayenne peppers may offer a temporary metabolism boost and endorphin rush.