Best Nashville Chicken Recipes

CHEF JOHN'S NASHVILLE HOT CHICKEN

Steps:

• Toss chicken pieces with 1 tablespoon kosher salt. Transfer chicken to a bowl; cover and refrigerate overnight.
• Whisk buttermilk, pickle brine, hot sauce, and egg together in a mixing bowl. Pour marinade over chicken and stir to ensure each piece is thoroughly coated. Cover and let chicken marinate in refrigerator 2 to 4 hours.
• Mix flour and salt together in a shallow flat dish. Remove chicken from marinade and blot with paper towels. Reserve marinade. Toss chicken in flour until thoroughly coated. Return chicken to marinade, coating all sides; remove chicken from marinade allowing excess to drip back into the bowl. Coat the chicken once again in flour mixture. Place on a rack. Repeat with all chicken pieces. Allow to sit out about 15 minutes to allow coating to dry out a bit.
• Place butter and lard in a large pot. Add cayenne pepper, brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Place over medium-high heat. Cook and stir until fats melt. Remove from heat; keep sauce warm.
• Fill cast iron skillet about 1/3 of the way with vegetable oil. Heat oil to 350 degrees F over medium-high heat. Carefully place chicken into hot oil, skin side down. Maintain an oil temperature of 325 degrees F, adjusting heat as need. Fry until instant read thermometer reads 160 degrees F, 8 to 10 minutes per side.
• Transfer chicken to a rack to drain. Brush with the sauce on both sides.

AIR-FRYER NASHVILLE HOT CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a bowl or shallow dish, combine 1 tablespoon pickle juice, 1 tablespoon hot sauce and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add chicken and turn to coat. Refrigerate, covered, at least 1 hour. Drain, discarding any marinade., Preheat air fryer to 375°. In a shallow bowl, mix flour, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and the pepper. In another shallow bowl, whisk egg, buttermilk, and the remaining 1 tablespoon pickle juice and 1 tablespoon hot sauce. Dip chicken in flour to coat both sides; shake off excess. Dip in egg mixture, then again in flour mixture., In batches, arrange chicken in a single layer on well-greased tray in air-fryer basket; spritz with cooking spray. Cook until golden brown, 5-6 minutes. Turn; spritz with cooking spray. Cook until golden brown, 5-6 minutes longer., Whisk together oil, cayenne pepper, brown sugar and seasonings; pour over hot chicken and toss to coat. Serve with pickles.

NASHVILLE HOT CHICKEN

Steps:

• For the chicken: Pour enough buttermilk over the chicken pieces to cover them and place in refrigerator at least 24 hours.
• Preheat a Dutch oven filled three-quarters of the way with peanut oil to 275 degrees F.
• Drain chicken in a colander, then coat chicken in enough seasoned flour to coat.
• Gently drop chicken into oil and cook until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F, roughly 18 minutes. Set aside.
• For the sauce: Meanwhile, combine the canola oil, bacon fat, cayenne powders, sugar, pickle juice, paprika, garlic powder and chili powder together in a bowl and whisk until smooth. Gently pour 1 cup of the mixture over fried chicken and toss in a bowl, making sure to completely coat chicken (watch your eyes, this stuff is no joke!). (Save remaining sauce for another use.)
• Remove from bowl and enjoy!

NASHVILLE-STYLE HOT CHICKEN SANDWICH

Steps:

• In a large heat-resistant bowl, whisk together the cayenne, brown sugar, chile powder, granulated garlic, paprika, 1 tablespoon salt and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Sprinkle the spice mixture on all sides of the chicken. Transfer the chicken to a container and refrigerate at least 1 hour and up to 3 hours. Leave the remaining spice mixture in the bowl.
• In a large Dutch oven, heat the oil until a deep-fry thermometer inserted in the oil registers 350 degrees F. Position a wire rack on a baking sheet.
• Whisk together the buttermilk, hot sauce and eggs in a shallow bowl. Put the flour in a second bowl and season with salt and pepper. Dunk the chicken first in the buttermilk mixture, then dredge in the seasoned flour and coat thoroughly. Gently drop the chicken into the oil, in batches if necessary, and fry until golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer the cooked chicken to the wire rack.
• Carefully add about 1 large ladleful (6 to 8 ounces) of the frying oil to the reserved spice mixture to let it bloom. Be careful, as it will bubble aggressively. Whisk until smooth. Brush the fried chicken with the bloomed spiced oil as desired.
• For the sandwich build: Meanwhile, halve the Hawaiian rolls, spread with butter and toast on a griddle. Put the hot chicken on the griddled buns, top with pickles, lettuce and a schmear of mayo.

NASHVILLE-STYLE HOT CHICKEN

Steps:

• Toss chicken with black pepper and 2 tablespoon salt in a large bowl. Cover and chill at least 3 hours.
• Whisk eggs, buttermilk, and hot sauce in a large bowl. Whisk flour and remaining 4 teaspoons salt in another large bowl.
• Fit a Dutch oven with thermometer; pour in oil to measure 2". Heat over medium-high heat until thermometer registers 325°. Pat chicken dry. Working with 1 piece at a time, dredge in flour mixture, shaking off excess, then dip in buttermilk mixture, letting excess drip back into bowl. Dredge again in flour mixture and place on a baking sheet.
• Working in 4 batches and returning oil to 325° between batches, fry chicken, turning occasionally, until skin is deep golden brown and crisp and an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of pieces registers 160° for white meat and 165° for dark, 15-18 minutes. Transfer to a clean wire rack set inside a baking sheet. Let oil cool slightly.
• Whisk cayenne, brown sugar, chili powder, garlic powder, and paprika in a medium bowl; carefully whisk in 1 cup frying oil. Brush fried chicken with spicy oil. Serve with bread and pickles.
• Do ahead: Chicken can be seasoned 1 day ahead. Keep chilled.

BAKED NASHVILLE HOT CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Mix water, 1/4 cup salt, 1/4 cup sugar, and hot sauce together in a large bowl until sugar and salt are dissolved into the brine. Place chicken pieces in the brine and refrigerate, 30 minutes to 1 hour. Pour brine from the bowl.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place a baking rack onto a baking sheet and coat rack with cooking spray.
• Combine flour, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, and black pepper in a shallow bowl until coating is well mixed. Press chicken pieces into the coating until both sides are evenly coated; place on the prepared rack.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Spray each chicken piece with cooking spray; flip and spray the other side. Continue baking until chicken is no longer pink in the center, about 10 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
• Heat oil in a small pan over medium heat until shimmering. Mix 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder together in a bowl; add to oil and cook for 30 seconds. Brush oil mixture onto cooked chicken, adding more layers for extra heat.

NASHVILLE HOT CHICKEN AND WAFFLE SANDWICH

Steps:

• Begin preparing chicken: place chicken thighs in a medium bowl. Add buttermilk and hot sauce and stir to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight.
• Prepare waffles: combine waffle mix, water, egg, and oil in a medium bowl; whisk until well combined.
• Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C). Preheat a mini waffle maker according to manufacturer's instructions.
• Spray waffle maker with cooking spray. Cook waffles one at a time until golden brown. Place cooked waffles on a baking sheet and place in the oven to keep warm.
• Finish preparing chicken: heat 3 inches of oil to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) in a deep cast iron skillet or Dutch oven.
• While oil heats, combine flour, 2 teaspoons paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a shallow dish.
• Remove chicken thighs from the buttermilk mixture one at a time and allow excess to drip off. Coat chicken lightly in flour mixture and shake off any excess. Repeat the process once more, dipping chicken back in the buttermilk mixture and flour mixture, and shaking off any excess. Place chicken on a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet. Repeat to coat remaining chicken.
• Fry 2 chicken thighs at a time in the hot oil until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reads 170 degrees F (77 degrees F), turning 2 to 3 times, about 8 minutes per batch. Drain chicken on a clean wire rack set inside a paper towel-lined baking sheet.
• Combine remaining paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper with cayenne pepper and brown sugar in a medium bowl. Carefully whisk in 1 cup of the hot frying oil. Brush each fried chicken thigh with the spicy oil mixture.
• Stir maple syrup into the remaining spice mixture.
• Place 1 piece of chicken on a waffle and top with 1/4 cup coleslaw. Drizzle with 2 teaspoons of the spicy maple mixture and place a second waffle on top. Repeat with remaining ingredients and serve immediately.

NASHVILLE-STYLE HOT FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Prepare the brine: In a large bowl, whisk salt and spices in 2 cups boiling water until salt dissolves. Whisk in 6 cups ice water. The brine should be cold; if not, chill until it is. Add chicken pieces to the cold brine and chill for at least 12 and up to 24 hours.
• In a bowl, combine the ingredients for the very hot spice mixture. In another bowl, prepare the dredge: combine the flour, granulated garlic and onion, salt and pepper.
• Remove chicken pieces from brine, pat dry with paper towels and season with a light dusting of hot spice mixture. Dust pieces with dredge mixture. Reserve both the remaining hot spice mixture and the dredge. Let chicken rest in fridge, uncovered, for at least an hour for the coating to adhere.
• Pour 2 inches of oil into a Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot with a cover. Heat oil to 325 degrees on a deep-fat thermometer. In a shallow bowl, whisk together eggs and 2 cups ice water to make egg wash. Dip chicken in egg wash, then coat with more dredge. Shake pieces lightly so any excess dredge falls off.
• Carefully place chicken in hot oil, about 3 to 4 pieces per batch. Cover pot with lid and let fry for 5 to 6 minutes, until golden brown on one side. Remove lid and flip pieces. Fry another 5 to 6 minutes, uncovered. Using tongs, transfer cooked chicken to a wire rack set over a baking sheet to catch the oil drips. Dust with very hot spice as it comes out of the fryer.

RESTAURANT VS HOMEMADE NASHVILLE-STYLE HOT CHICKEN RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic powder, mustard powder, black pepper, and onion powder, and mix well.
• In a large bowl, place chicken and pat dry. Add 5 tablespoons of the spice mix and salt, and mix well, making sure all the chicken is fully coated. Cover with plastic wrap and rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, up to 24 hours.
• In a small saucepan, combine canola oil, 2 tablespoons of the spice mix, and brown sugar over medium heat and stir until the brown sugar dissolves, about 2-3 minutes. Set aside.
• In a medium-size bowl, add the buttermilk and hot sauce, and mix well.
• Dredge each piece of chicken into the flour, shaking off any excess. Dip them into the buttermilk mixture, then back into the flour.
• Heat oil to 325°F (170°C) in a deep pot.
• Fry 3-4 chicken pieces at a time, making sure to not overcrowd the pot, for 10-12 minutes, until golden brown and crispy.
• Transfer the fried chicken to a wire rack over a baking sheet and brush with the spicy oil Dust with the remaining spice mixture.
• Place on a slice of white bread and top with dill pickle.
• Enjoy!

NASHVILLE-STYLE HOT CHICKEN SANDWICH

Steps:

• Coleslaw: Whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon, and vinegar. Pour over cabbage and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Coleslaw will keep in the refrigerator, covered, up to 3 days.
• Hot Chicken Sauce: Stir together Frank's RedHot sauce, melted unsalted butter, hot paprika, and brown sugar.
• Sandwich: Remove oyster from chicken thigh and set aside. Working one at a time, pound each thigh between two pieces of plastic to an even 1/8-inch thickness. Let sit, covered with plastic, at room temperature while preparing remaining ingredients, at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Fill a medium heavy pot, preferably cast-iron, about halfway with oil. Heat oil over medium-high to 375 degrees. Meanwhile, whisk together buttermilk and Old Bay or hot sauce in a medium bowl; season with salt and pepper. In a shallow dish, season 1 cup flour with salt and pepper; whisk to combine. In a separate shallow dish, season remaining 1 1/2 cups flour with baking soda, salt, and pepper and whisk to combine. Add 1/3 cup buttermilk mixture and stir together to create ragged clumps. Working with two pieces at a time, dredge chicken in plain flour mixture, then buttermilk mixture. Let excess drip off, then dip in clumpy flour mixture, pressing firmly to adhere and making sure chicken is completely coated. If wet spots are visible, press in more coating.
• Fry until golden brown and cooked through, adjusting heat as needed to keep oil between 360 and 380 degrees, about 3 minutes. Drain on a rimmed baking sheet fitted with a wire rack. Repeat with remaining chicken. To serve, lightly butter both sides of roll and place in the oven to lightly toast. Brush chicken with hot chicken sauce, then place on white or Texas toast with pickles and coleslaw.

NASHVILLE HOT CHICKEN SANDWICH

Steps:

• For the slaw: In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, vinegar and sugar. Season with salt and pepper. Add the cabbage, carrots and shallot. Stir until evenly coated. Set aside while you prepare the chicken. The longer the slaw sits, the better it gets.
• For the hot chicken: Heat 4 inches of vegetable oil to 365 degrees F in a Dutch oven. Prepare 2 sheet trays with wire racks. Generously sprinkle both sides of the chicken breasts with Miss Brown's House Seasoning.
• Create a dredging station by putting the flour in a medium bowl. Next, whisk together the buttermilk and hot sauce in a second medium bowl. Working with one piece at a time, dredge the seasoned chicken in the flour to coat, then dip in the buttermilk mixture and back into the flour. Place onto one of the prepared sheet trays (keep the other tray clean). Continue until all the chicken is coated.
• Carefully add the chicken, skin-side down, to the oil and cook, turning once, until it is golden brown on the outside with an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove to the clean prepared sheet tray when ready.
• While the chicken is frying, make the hot butter sauce: Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the hot sauce, brown sugar, cayenne and Miss Brown's seasoning. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. When ready to serve, dip each piece of fried chicken in the hot butter sauce. Place each piece of chicken on the bottom of a potato roll and top with slaw and pickles. Drizzle extra sauce on top. Close each sandwich with a top bun.
• Whisk together the onion powder, paprika, garlic powder, salt and black pepper in a medium bowl. Store any extra seasoning mix in an airtight container. Makes 5 teaspoons.

NASHVILLE HOT CHICKEN

Steps:

• For the chicken: Pour the buttermilk and hot sauce over the chicken in a shallow dish. Let sit for 15 minutes.
• Preheat a deep-fryer or a large Dutch oven filled with 3 inches oil to 325 degrees F. Line a sheet tray with a wire rack.
• For the chile oil: Add the oil, chiles, chili powder, smoked paprika, cayenne and crushed red pepper to a medium saucepan and place over medium heat. Allow the oil to come to a simmer, then turn off the heat and let the chiles steep in the oil for 5 minutes. Strain and let cool.
• For the shake: Add the brown sugar, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, chili powder, smoked paprika, white pepper and salt to a bowl. Stir to combine and set aside until later.
• For the dredge: Add the flour, pepper, smoked paprika, celery salt, kosher salt, garlic powder, onion powder and thyme to a very large bowl or shallow dish. Add the marinated chicken pieces, one by one, and pat the dredge onto the chicken, creating little crackles in the chicken piece.
• Shake off any excess dredge and add the chicken to the fryer. Fry in batches, turning occasionally, until just slightly golden and it has an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the oil and let rest on the wire rack until just cool to touch. Add back to the fryer and double-fry until super golden brown, about 3 minutes. Drain again on the wire rack.
• Dip the fried chicken in the chile oil and add to a shallow dish. Dust each piece with the shake thoroughly until no oil is apparent on both sides.
• To serve: Split the Hawaiian rolls in half. Put a tender between each roll, then top with the sliced onion and a pickle chip or two.

SIMPLE NASHVILLE HOT CHICKEN BISCUITS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place biscuits 1 inch apart on an ungreased baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 13 to 17 minutes. Set aside.
• Mix buttermilk, egg, sriracha, salt, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper together in a shallow bowl. Mix flour and chicken and pork rub together in a separate shallow bowl. Dip chicken into buttermilk mixture then dredge in flour mixture; shake off excess.
• Heat oil and butter in a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Fry coated chicken in the hot skillet until golden and cooked through, about 3 minutes per side.
• Mix sriracha and agave nectar together in a bowl; adjust heat level to suit your preference.
• Slice biscuits in half and place 1 piece of chicken on each bottom half. Place about 1 tablespoon sauce on each piece of chicken and top with the remaining biscuit halves.

CRISPY NASHVILLE CHICKEN SKINS

Steps:

• For the skins: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and coat paper with oil.
• Trim chicken skins to palm-size pieces. This will provide a chip-like finished product, great for dipping.
• Spread chicken skins in a single layer on baking sheet and flatten. Lightly coat the skins with additional oil. Bake until fat is rendered out, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to rest and cool.
• For the Nashville seasoning: Meanwhile, combine cayenne, brown sugar, salt, garlic powder, paprika, chili powder, onion powder, black pepper, ground mustard, lemon pepper, coriander, cumin and Reaper powder in a small bowl and mix thoroughly. Set aside.
• Pour oil into a large pot to measure at least 2 inches deep and bring up to 350 degrees F.
• Place a handful of skins in the oil and fry until warmed through and crispy, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the pot using a metal strainer and place in a large bowl. Sprinkle the seasoning over the skins and toss to coat evenly. Make sure the oil returns to 350 degrees before starting a new batch.

NASHVILLE HOT CHICKEN AND BISCUITS

Steps:

• Place chicken in a large, lidded bowl. Add milk and pickle juice. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place biscuits 1 inch apart on an ungreased baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 13 minutes. Set aside until ready to use.
• Place flour in a large resealable plastic bag. Beat eggs in a shallow dish. Coat a piece of chicken in flour, dip in eggs, and then coat again in flour. Place on a plate and repeat with remaining chicken. Let coated chicken rest for 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine 1/3 cup oil, butter, cayenne pepper, paprika, and garlic powder in a small saucepan over low heat. Cook and stir until sugar is dissolved and sauce is heated through, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat
• Heat 4 cups oil to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) in a large cast iron skillet. Fry chicken in batches for 4 minutes, flip, and cook until golden brown, about 4 minutes more. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels and season with salt and black pepper to taste.
• Place fried chicken in a large bowl. Stir sauce in the saucepan and drizzle over the chicken. Serve chicken inside biscuits, topped with pickle slices.

SUNNY'S NASHVILLE HOT CHICKEN DIP

Steps:

• Mix together the cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, chili powder, garlic powder, paprika and scallions in a bowl. Taste, then season with salt and pepper. Serve chilled.

NASHVILLE HOT CHICKEN BY SPIKE MENDELSOHN RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Trim the excess fat off the sides of the chicken breast. Using a knife, score the chicken longways, cutting halfway through the chicken to help it cook more rapidly.
• In a medium-sized mixing bowl, crack the eggs and whisk with the milk.
• In a separate medium-sized mixing bowl, add the bread crumbs.
• Dip each chicken breast in the egg mixture, covering it completely, then transfer to the bread crumbs and coat completely. Repeat this process one more time.
• Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
• Fit a Dutch oven with thermometer and pour in oil for frying. Heat over medium-high until thermometer registers 340˚F (170˚C).
• Set the chicken breasts in, in batches, and fry for 2-3 minutes until golden brown.
• Place fried chicken on a wire rack set over a baking sheet, to drain. Sprinkle with salt.
• Prepare the spicy pepper oil in a small mixing bowl by whisking together all the spices with the sunflower oil, until all the spices have dissolved into the oil. Set aside.
• Transfer the fried chicken to the brioche buns.
• Whisk together the spicy oil so none of the seasoning settles to the bottom.
• Drizzle 2 tablespoons over each chicken breast.
• Add 3 bread and butter pickles on top of the chicken and place the top bun.
• Nutrition Calories: 1533 Fat: 122 grams Carbs: 84 grams Fiber: 6 grams Sugars: 18 grams Protein: 26 grams
• Enjoy!

NASHVILLE HOT CHICKEN SHEET-PAN DINNER (COOKING FOR 2)

Steps:

• In medium bowl, mix buttermilk, hot sauce, 1/4 teaspoon of the salt, 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper, 1/4 teaspoon of the red pepper and the garlic powder. Add chicken; turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, in 10-inch skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium-high heat. Add bread crumbs; cook 4 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until golden brown. Transfer to shallow bowl; add paprika, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
• Heat oven to 375°F. Spray large rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray.
• Drain chicken; discard marinade. Dredge marinated chicken in browned bread crumbs, coating completely. If there are any bread crumbs left in bowl, pat them on top of chicken breasts to cover any bare spots. Place on baking sheet.
• Wrap ears of corn individually in foil. Place on baking sheet with chicken; bake 10 minutes. Add biscuits to baking sheet; bake 22 to 26 minutes or until biscuits are golden brown and juice of chicken is clear when center of thickest part is cut (at least 165°F).
• Meanwhile, in small microwavable bowl, mix remaining 2 tablespoons butter and remaining 1/4 teaspoon red pepper. Microwave uncovered on High 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until melted. Drizzle butter mixture over chicken just before serving.

NASHVILLE HOT CHICKEN MEATBALL SLIDERS

Steps:

• For the meatballs: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Place the ground chicken, hot sauce, brown sugar, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, cayenne and garlic in a bowl. Gently mix with your hands.
• Divide the meatball mixture into 12 portions, then form into 1 1/2-inch meatballs using wet hands (meat sticks to dry hands).
• Push a piece of cheese into each meatball and pinch to seal.
• Heat the butter and vegetable oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the meatballs and brown on all sides, 5 to 8 minutes.
• Transfer the pan to the oven for 10 minutes to finish cooking.
• For the sauce: While the meatballs are cooking, combine the butter, hot sauce, honey and brown sugar in a small saucepot over high heat. Stirring constantly, bring to a boil and cook until the mixture comes together, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Remove from the heat, mix in the garlic powder, salt and pepper, and stir until smooth.
• Pour the sauce over the cooked meatballs and toss to coat. Sprinkle with the chopped parsley.
• For the sliders: Add a pickle chip to each bun, then set a meatball on top. Skewer with a toothpick. Serve warm.

NASHVILLE CHICKEN

Steps:

• For the house hot sauce: Put the water, vinegar, dried chiles, cayenne pepper, garlic and crushed red pepper in a large pot over high heat and bring to a simmer. Simmer until the chiles are re-hydrated and the garlic is slightly soft, about 30 minutes. Puree in a blender until smooth. Strain through a sieve and a let cool. Yield: 8 cups.
• For the mild lard: Render the lard in a large pot over low heat until liquid.
• Mix the cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper and garlic powder in a large bowl.
• Slowly whisk the brown sugar into the lard until smooth. Make sure to not let the temperature exceed 135 degrees F or the sugar will burn. Once the sugar is incorporated slowly whisk in the dry ingredients.
• For the chicken brine: Combine the milk, buttermilk and house hot sauce in a large bowl and whisk together. Add the chicken, slightly covering it. Refrigerate 4 to 6 hours.
• For the chicken dredge: Heat a deep fryer to 325 degrees F (or a large pot with oil). Combine the flour, kosher salt, onion powder, dried thyme, garlic powder, black pepper, seasoned salt, cayenne pepper and paprika together in a large bowl until completely incorporated. Coat your brined chicken in the dredge mix and fry, in batches, until the internal temperature reaches 125 degrees F. Generously brush your fried chicken with the mild lard to coat. Serve.