Nashville gives its name to the fried-chicken style associated with a spicy cayenne-based coating.
Nashville hot chicken is traditionally fried chicken brushed or coated with a spicy paste or sauce containing cayenne pepper and oil. It is commonly served on white bread with pickle chips, although restaurants use many variations.
The style is strongly associated with Nashville, Tennessee, especially the city’s Black culinary history and restaurant culture. Its heat level can range from mild to extremely hot, depending on the amount and blend of chili seasoning.
Nashville hot chicken is not the same as every spicy fried-chicken dish. Korean fried chicken, Buffalo wings, and Indian fried chicken use different culinary traditions and flavor systems. The Nashville style is specifically identified by its local tradition and chili-rich finish.