Ranking The 15 Best Spots To Get Hot Chicken In Nashville
There are several ways to cook chicken, but fried never goes out of style — especially if you're Southern. In fact, Southerners have been frying chicken since the 17th century. Since that time, regional variations have sprung up, including the wildly popular Nashville hot chicken. Spicy and a little sweet, this famous Nashville dish — which, like much of Southern cuisine, has its roots in Black communities — continues to thrive and is hotter than ever (no pun intended).
Hot chicken is a hunk of fried chicken, crisped up with a little cayenne and hot sauce in the coating, then made even more flavorful with a spicy sauce. Traditionally, the crunchy chicken piece is placed on top of a slice of good old-fashioned white bread and topped off with some pickle slices. Nashville hot chicken isn't complicated, yet will leave your mouth full of flavor and wanting more. Even if your mouth is on fire, you won't be able to stop. It's quite a conundrum.
If you are far from the hills of Tennessee, you may wonder how you'll ever enjoy this chicken with a kick. Well, put on your apron and make your own Nashville hot chicken at home with Carla Hall's Nashville hot chicken recipe. For the rest of us, let's take a look at 11 of the best places to grab some Nashville hot chicken in the town that made it famous. We'll start with a good one, but you'll have to read on to get to the best hot chicken joint in town.
15. Scoreboard Bar & Grill
Let's start with Scoreboard Bar & Grill, which is located at 2408 Music Valley Drive in Nashville. Scoreboard is one of Nashville's longest-running sports bars, but their fans run to them for much more than sports. They're best known for plenty of live music and of course, Nashville hot chicken. Some say Scoreboard's secret is the generous pour of sauce over the chicken before it's served. If a little sauce is good, more is probably even better.
The popular sports bar has been featured on Food Network's "Heat Seekers," a show hosted by celebrity chefs aimed at finding the spiciest foods in the country. That should give you an idea of how "hot" Scoreboard's hot chicken is. If you like heat, Scoreboard Bar and Grill can bring it. Their hot chicken sauces are cleverly named; the full range goes from "Sissy" to "Satan's Tongue" and "Hiroshima." If that's not enough, how about a little napalm sauce on your basket of wings? The entire menu is impressive with BBQ choices, salads, burgers, and appetizers. Go for some of the hottest Nashville hot chicken in town and come back for a little foot-stompin' music and an extensive menu.
14. Bolton's Spicy Chicken and Fish
What Nashville loves about Bolton's Spicy Chicken and Fish is their wide variety of heat choices. They range from non-spicy to extra hot, which is described as possibly having the devil himself in the mix. Eat at your own risk.
Bolton's has a sweet story as a family-owned business. It's considered a Nashville institution and was started by the late Bolton Polk, who passed down family recipes that continue to be used today. Bolton's Spicy Chicken and Fish has been so successful it had a pop-up in Los Angeles. The tradition continues and fans of Bolton's couldn't be happier. The menu is a no-frills, straight-up, and simple chicken and fish selection. Choose your cut, type, and quantity, then choose your heat. They also offer traditional sides like corn on the cob, French fries, potato salad, green beans, and baked beans. Nashville hot chicken connoisseurs will appreciate the chicken served on soft white bread with signature pickles on top.
13. Party Fowl
It's no wonder Nashville's Party Fowl has spread like wildfire to other destinations. They now have six restaurants in different areas and states. The secret? Their Nashville hot chicken specialty, of course.
Nick Jacobson and Austin Smith are the proud owners of Party Fowl and opened the place with the intention of supplying guests with everything great that Nashville has to offer in the food category. That means you'll find not only some of the best hot chicken with a variety of heat levels (including one called Poultrygeist) but also boozy slushies and other Southern-style cocktails.
All in all, Party Fowl wants its guests to feel they've enjoyed a Nashville experience, not just a restaurant. And once you step inside, you'll see what they mean. The atmosphere is cozy and hip with wall-to-wall large-screen TVs, a full bar, and plenty of live music; after all, you are in Music City. There's a rustic vibe yet a modern edge to the place as well. Wash down that hot chicken with one of 20 local beers to choose from. If you're able to enjoy a leisurely brunch while in Nashville, visit Party Fowl, which was voted the best brunch in Nashville.
12. Chauhan Ale & Masala House
You'll find a rare, unique experience at Chauhan Ale & Masala House. You may recognize the name Chauhan because of the popular chef and personality, Maneet Chauhan, who has appeared on "Celebrity Chef," "The View," "Iron Chef America," and "The Today Show." She is also the co-owner and executive chef of this fabulous establishment. The place has received too many accolades and awards to mention. It's a true "foodie" must-see and taste.
Maneet has combined her love for Indian food with Americanized fare such as nachos. This results in a menu full of unexpected combinations that guests would otherwise never experience, like tamarind chutney or mussels with spicy coconut curry. And yes, the very American Nashville hot chicken is on the menu, just not in the way you would usually expect. Rather than hot chicken on a slice of bread, experience it as Nashville hot chicken pakoras. These piquant, super-crispy fritters contain chicken, chow-chow pickled relish (another Southern specialty), ghost pepper aioli, and ranch dressing made with raita, an Indian yogurt-based condiment. Yum.
11. Pepperfire
Our next Nashville hot chicken stop is at Pepperfire Hot Chicken, located at 5104 C Centennial Blvd in Nashville. Their slogan is "Bringing the Heat Since 2010," and boy do they deliver. As the story goes, Isaac Beard was madly in love with Nashville hot chicken and decided to try his hand at making his own. Turns out it was and is pretty delish, so he opened a small shack (literally) and started selling his chicken. It's now grown into a household name.
What everyone loves and respects about Pepperfire is that the restaurant cherishes the history of Nashville hot chicken and where it all started. They don't claim to be the No. 1 chicken spot, but rather humbly serve as undying fans committed to keeping Nashville hot chicken close to its roots. At Pepperfire, you'll enjoy the authentic Nashville hot chicken recipe in all of its glory. They were one of the first to offer a full bun rather than a slice of white bread to help messy hands get a little less messy while eating the fiery sandwich. Although purists were a bit up in arms about it, even the locals now appreciate the bun and how it simply holds onto the hot chicken so they can oh-so-gracefully get it into their mouths.
10. Helen's Hot Chicken
Helen's originally started in a trailer but quickly gained such local popularity that the owners, Jeremy Mallard and Lasonya Morrow, began setting up permanent locations. Morrow explained to WNBJ, "We had overwhelming support from the community and that's when we acquired our first building within the first three months." They began expanding in 2015, and you can now find several locations throughout Music City, including one on historic Jefferson Street and one on 21st Avenue in midtown near Vanderbilt University, as well as one in Madison and Smyrna, both of which are suburbs of Nashville.
While it may not be quite as famous as other spots on this list, Helen's Hot Chicken stands out because it also offers the famous Nashville seasoning on seafood as well. So if you want to try spicy fish, shrimp, or lobster tail in addition to the chicken, Helen's is a great choice. The heat levels range from mild to "hella," which is definitely not for the faint of heart.
9. Loveless Cafe
Though biscuits are the most famous menu item at Loveless Cafe, the restaurant specializes in all things Southern. That not only means being one of the hot spots for barbecue in Nashville but of course, the chefs at Loveless have also stepped up their hot chicken game as well.
At Loveless, hot chicken can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. If you make a stop there for breakfast, you can enjoy it on waffles or with eggs. At suppertime, you can add the seasoning to either a grilled or fried chicken sandwich or atop a salad. You can also make any of the fried chicken or catfish platters on the menu into a "Nashville Hot" plate, including their boneless chicken fingers.
According to The Loveless Cafe cookbook, the recipe for this famous chicken is a combination of cayenne pepper, granulated garlic, paprika, salt, butter, and hot sauce. Mixed together, it creates the signature paste that gives Nashville hot chicken its red color and its fiery flavor.
8. Edley's Bar-B-Que
Edley's Bar-B-Que is, first and foremost, a barbecue joint, which isn't surprising considering the name. But its reputation for being a quintessential Nashville hot spot in some of the most hopping neighborhoods in town has led it also to offer the town's signature dish. The result is a one-stop haven for barbecue and hot chicken fans.
The chicken tenders here are coated with buttermilk and jalapeño pickle juice prior to deep-frying. After the frying process, the crispy pieces of chicken are coated in their house-made hot chicken rub. The menu includes several highly-rated options using these tenders, including a hot chicken platter with jalapeño ranch for dipping and a side of slaw and pickles. You can also enjoy all these goodies in between a bun if you order the hot chicken sandwich. And last but not least, if you want to try the Nashville dish with a twist, the hot chicken tacos are not to be missed.
7. Subculture Urban Cuisine and Café
Located at 5737 Nolensville Pike in Nashville, Subculture Urban Cuisine & Café is a simple, well-designed restaurant with an American menu of street food, sandwiches, and other goodies. On that menu is Nashville hot chicken served in its own unique way on a fluffy, buttery biscuit that's homemade fresh daily. Can you get any more Southern than that? Subculture truly cares about where your food comes from, so any meat you choose is raised locally without antibiotics. They also strive to bring guests as many organic ingredients as possible — in fact, over 90% of their menu is organic.
The Nashville hot chicken, as mentioned, is a boneless chicken thigh with crispy fried skin, covered in the traditional hot chicken sauce, which is offered in five temperature options, including not hot, mild, medium, hot, and our personal favorite, stupid hot. They also have amazing empanadas, salads, and other entrées. Oh, and if you'd like another form of Nashville hot chicken, check out their chicken and waffles.
6. Slow Burn Hot Chicken
If you like to feel the burn, try Slow Burn Hot Chicken. It's located in Hendersonville, a suburb of Nashville, and too good not to add to the list. It's rather modest, set back in a quiet strip mall, but don't let that fool you. Step inside to a down-home, casual, Southern-style joint slinging some of the best soul food you'll find anywhere. One thing that makes this amazing, slow-burning Nashville hot chicken different is how they offer it in both grilled and fried options, which is unusual but greatly appreciated by many. The hot chicken comes in a traditional form on a slab of white bread, but is also available in other creative formats, such as the hot chicken bowl. They boast an unusually extensive list of heat choices — 10, to be exact.
You won't find fancy dining at Slow Burn Hot Chicken. What you will find is some of the most genuine Southern hospitality in the Nashville area and food that reminds you of what grandma used to make: collard greens, homemade mac and cheese, biscuits, and banana pudding for dessert. You can eat all this in the dining area, or order ahead and pick up at the drive-thru to bring it home.
5. 400 Degrees
Another Nashville hot chicken scene that was influenced by a strong respect for tradition is 400 Degrees. Owner Aqui Hines prides herself on never changing the original recipe she fell in love with, and for purists, that's music to their ears. Featured on Travel Channels' Food Paradise, Aqui explains that through trial and error she replicated Prince's recipe out of a yearning for that hot chicken after hours when Prince's Hot Chicken was closed. Flattery at its finest. You'll find the cozy establishment as well as the charming and friendly Aqui Hines at 3704 Clarksville Pike and the Nashville International Airport.
One thing that makes 400 Degrees a little different is that they fry the bird first, then coat it in the spicy sauce. The thicker the coating, the hotter the chicken. You can ask for any heat from 100 to 400 degrees and they'll eyeball the coating to the right level. This iconic chicken joint is counter-service, with plenty of seating in the dining room. Enjoy your hot chicken on top of the traditional white bread. 400 Degrees even offers t-shirts with the arms cut off to use as a bib so you can go to town on your hot chicken without messing about your own clothes. Finger licking is acceptable.
4. Biscuit Love
Though Biscuit Love is all about the biscuit, they make an incredible Nashville hot chicken. The menu isn't extravagant or large, but it is unique and delicious. On one side, you have offerings that come on a biscuit; on the other, you have items to order with no biscuit (by the way, if the words homemade biscuit make you swoon, try our recipe for fluffy homemade Southern-style biscuits and enjoy some with dinner).
For Nashville hot chicken fans, you'll want to order the Princess. The Princess is hot chicken as a boneless thigh, served with pickles, mustard, and honey, on top of a homemade buttermilk biscuit. Is your mouth watering yet? It's truly a must-have. Although the version of Nashville hot chicken at Biscuit Love strays slightly from the original in Tennessee, it tips its hat to the traditional style by not going too crazy or trying too hard to be different. The changes are slight, creative, and respectful, and it works.
They also have many other yummy menu choices, including stuff for the kiddos. Biscuit Love has won awards and been featured on some fun shows, but what they really care about is their community. They strive to bring their customers the highest-quality ingredients (locally sourced when possible), and to make everyone feel at home when they walk in the door. Go for the hot chicken; stay for the comfort.
3. Moore's Spicy Fried Chicken
Moore's Spicy Fried Chicken may be outside of the Nashville metropolitan area in Hendersonville, but according to hot chicken fans, it's well worth the trek. Located in a strip mall, it's far from being fancy, and the menu includes nothing but the classics, but what sets Moore's apart from other hot chicken joints is owner David Moore's commitment to going above and beyond the heat. "Anybody can cook; anybody can make something spicy...But I'm going to give you what you're missing, and that's flavor," he explained to The Tennessean. That means carefully marinating the chicken with a secret spice blend before it gets fried so it has flavor long before the spicy spices get added to it. "If it's going to have my name on it, it's going to be a top-quality product," Moore added.
You know the food must be good when the business doesn't use social media or advertising and yet has still gained an excellent reputation. Such is the case for Moore's, which has gained a fan base despite a lack of internet presence and has been named "The Best Hot Chicken in Nashville" by The Tennessean. Moore's spice levels are: mild, medium, hot, x-hot, xx-hot, and the xxx-hot, which we're guessing is only for the bravest of thrill-seekers.
2. Hattie B's
Hattie B's now has 10 locations, it's that good. The secret to Hattie B's success is to focus on what they do best and keep perfecting it. Executive chef Brian Morris of Hattie B's hot chicken told Bham Now: "We think we do a really good job at what we do. We're constantly refining and working to perfect our practice. The nice thing about having a small menu and not rolling out specials or limited-time offers all the time is that we get to spend our time making what we do better." Hattie B's fans agree.
The Nashville hot chicken on the menu is the classic style and is offered at six heat levels: Southern, mild, medium, hot, damn hot, and shut the cluck up. Hattie's suggests your mouth may start to burn just looking at the latter. Sounds fun. You can also indulge in the South's finest delights, such as greens, baked beans, banana pudding, and peach cobbler. Wash it all down with a gallon of sweet tea or a pitcher of beer.
When people go out to eat, they're usually looking for more than great food; they also want a great atmosphere. Hattie B's has that too. The smell of the chicken will bring you in the door, but the friendly staff will make you want to stay and then come back again.
1. Prince's Hot Chicken
Yes, the best was saved for last. Prince's Hot Chicken in Nashville should be renamed King's. It's where Nashville hot chicken started and the place still reigns on its chicken throne. Hot chicken connoisseurs have a difficult time straying and trying something new because Prince's is so divine.
The Prince's story is just as hot. It's said that during the Great Depression, Thorton Prince had a reputation for sowing his wild oats on a nightly basis. Unfortunately, his girlfriend didn't find his untamed ways amusing. To get revenge one day, she made Thorton a plate of very spicy fried chicken, with the intention of causing him to double over in pain. Instead, Mr. Prince loved it and happily devoured the chicken. The poor gal just couldn't win.
Thorton Prince had seconds and then set out to perfect the Nashville hot chicken recipe we all now enjoy. That was 100 years ago. Today, it's Thorton's niece, Ms. Andre Prince Jeffries, who keeps the Prince's hot chicken name alive and the recipe authentic. Though many restaurants replicate it and some change it drastically, there is only one original. If you've never had hot chicken, you must begin with Prince's Hot Chicken.