Nashville Hot Chicken Burgers

Oh wow, have you ever tried a burger that bites back—in the best way? These Nashville Hot Chicken Burgers are super crispy, spicy, and just plain addictive. If you love heat and crunch, this one’s calling your name.

I still remember the first time I made them. The chicken came out golden, the sauce had that fiery kick, and the soft buns brought it all together. So yeah, now it’s a go-to in our house when we want something bold.

Wanna make dinner exciting tonight? These burgers aren’t hard to whip up, and the flavor? So worth it. Let me show you how we do it—step by step.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Perfectly Spiced: The combination of Nashville hot seasoning and homemade drizzle brings a bold, fiery punch that’s tempered by the sweetness from brown sugar.
• Juicy and Crispy Chicken: The ground chicken is seasoned and cooked to perfection, creating juicy patties with a crispy exterior.
• Quick & Easy: This recipe is surprisingly quick to prepare, taking under an hour, with most of the time spent marinating and cooking the chicken.
• Customizable Heat: You can adjust the level of spiciness based on your personal preference by adding or reducing the amount of hot sauce and seasoning.
• Topped with the Essentials: Fresh pickles, soft brioche buns, and the Nashville hot drizzle all come together to make a memorable burger that packs a flavorful punch.

Required Kitchen Tools

Before we get started, you’ll need a few basic kitchen tools to create this Nashville Hot Chicken Burger:

• Large Mixing Bowl: For mixing the chicken patty ingredients.
• Meat Mallet (Optional): If you prefer to tenderize the chicken for a smoother texture, a meat mallet is handy.
• Cast Iron Skillet or Griddle: To fry the chicken patties evenly, ensuring that crispy golden exterior and juicy interior.
• Whisk and Small Mixing Bowl: To make the Nashville hot drizzle and mix the hot sauce with butter and seasonings.
• Grill Pan (Optional): If you prefer grilling your chicken patties, a grill pan is a great option.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to create these mouthwatering Nashville Hot Chicken Burgers (exact measurements are included in the recipe card below):

For the Chicken Patties:

• 2 lbs Ground Chicken: This is the base of your burger patties. You can also use ground turkey or lean ground beef if you prefer.
• 1 Stick Unsalted Butter (Frozen): The frozen butter is grated into the chicken mixture for added flavor and moisture.
• ¼ Cup Nashville Hot Seasoning: This seasoning blend is the heart and soul of Nashville hot chicken. It brings the heat, smokiness, and a hint of sweetness to the burger.
• ⅓ Cup Vegetable Oil: Used for frying the chicken patties until they’re golden brown and crispy.
• 4 Brioche Buns: Soft, slightly sweet buns that complement the heat of the chicken perfectly.
• 1 Cup Dill Pickle Chips: These crispy, tangy pickles provide the perfect contrast to the spicy chicken.

For the Drizzle:

• 3 Tbsp Hot Sauce: Use your favorite hot sauce. For extra heat, go for a stronger hot sauce like Frank’s RedHot or a more flavorful one like Cholula.
• ½ Stick Unsalted Butter: Adds richness to the drizzle and helps balance out the heat.
• 2 Tbsp Nashville Hot Seasoning: Mix into the drizzle to maintain that signature Nashville hot flavor.
• 2 Tbsp Light Brown Sugar: This balances out the heat with a touch of sweetness, making the drizzle irresistible.

Variations for Nashville Hot Chicken Burgers

• Make it Vegetarian: Swap the ground chicken with a veggie patty or mashed chickpeas mixed with breadcrumbs for a vegetarian alternative.
• Different Buns: If you’re not a fan of brioche, feel free to use potato buns or even whole-wheat buns for a healthier twist.
• Add Cheese: For a cheesy burger, add a slice of sharp cheddar or pepper jack to the chicken patties while they’re still hot.
• Use Jalapeños: For extra heat, top your burger with fresh jalapeño slices or even pickled jalapeños for an additional layer of flavor.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Nashville Hot Chicken Burgers

1. Prepare the Chicken Patties

Start by preparing the chicken mixture. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken with the frozen grated butter. The cold butter helps to keep the chicken mixture moist and adds flavor. Next, add the Nashville hot seasoning into the chicken mixture, mixing well to ensure that the chicken is evenly coated with the seasoning.

Using your hands or a spoon, form the chicken mixture into patties. Depending on the size you want, you can make them small (slider-sized) or large for a hearty burger. Just be sure to make them even so they cook at the same rate.

2. Heat the Oil and Fry the Patties

Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, carefully add the chicken patties to the skillet. Cook for about 4-5 minutes per side or until the patties are golden brown and fully cooked through. You can also check the internal temperature to ensure it reaches 165°F to guarantee the chicken is thoroughly cooked.

3. Make the Nashville Hot Drizzle

While your chicken patties are cooking, it’s time to make the drizzle. In a small mixing bowl, combine hot sauce, butter, Nashville hot seasoning, and light brown sugar. Whisk everything together until the butter is melted and the drizzle is smooth. The drizzle should be spicy, slightly sweet, and a bit smoky—exactly what Nashville hot chicken is known for!

4. Toast the Brioche Buns

Toasting the brioche buns adds a touch of crunch and enhances their sweetness. Place the buns cut-side down on a skillet or griddle for about 1-2 minutes until they’re golden brown and crispy.

5. Assemble the Nashville Hot Chicken Burgers

Once your chicken patties are cooked and the buns are toasted, it’s time to assemble the burgers. Start by placing a chicken patty on the bottom half of each toasted brioche bun. Drizzle a generous amount of the Nashville hot drizzle over the chicken patty. Add a few crispy dill pickle chips for that signature tangy contrast to the heat. Finally, place the top of the bun on and press down slightly to hold everything together.

How to Serve Nashville Hot Chicken Burgers

These spicy, juicy burgers are perfect for a variety of occasions, whether you’re serving them at a backyard BBQ, a weeknight dinner, or a fun family meal. Here are a few ideas for how to serve them:

• With Crispy Fries: Classic French fries, sweet potato fries, or even potato wedges are the perfect sides to serve with Nashville hot chicken burgers.
• On a Salad: If you want a lighter option, serve the chicken patties on a bed of greens with a drizzle of ranch dressing or blue cheese.
• Add Slaw: For some added crunch, top your burgers with a tangy coleslaw for a great texture contrast against the juicy chicken.
• With Onion Rings: For extra indulgence, crispy onion rings make an amazing side dish that complements the hot chicken flavors.

Storing Nashville Hot Chicken Burgers

• Leftover Chicken Patties: Store leftover chicken patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat them in a skillet over medium heat to bring back the crispy texture.
• Nashville Hot Drizzle: The drizzle can be stored separately in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop before serving.

Nutrition (Per Serving)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	480 kcal
Protein	38g
Fat	32g
Carbs	28g
Fiber	2g
Sugar	9g

Conclusion

These Nashville Hot Chicken Burgers are a must-try for anyone who loves a good spicy, flavorful meal. The balance of heat and sweetness makes them truly unique, while the crispy chicken and soft, toasted brioche buns elevate the experience. Whether you’re a Nashville hot chicken enthusiast or new to the spicy scene, these burgers are bound to become your new favorite. Perfect for any meal or gathering, I hope this recipe brings some Southern heat to your table!