Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich

• 1 1/2 lb Boneless chicken thighs
• 1 cup Buttermilk
• 2 tbsp Hot sauce
• 1 1/2 cups All-purpose flour
• 2 tsp Kosher saltdivided
• 3 tbsp Cayenne pepperuse less for milder heat
• 1 tbsp Brown sugar
• 1 tbsp Smoked paprika
• 4 cups Frying oilplus 1/2 cup hot oil for sauce
• 4 Burger bunstoasted
• 1 cup Dill pickle chips

Equipment

• Dutch oven or heavy pot
• Thermometer
• Wire rack
• Tongs

Instructions

1. 1

   Marinate chicken with buttermilk, hot sauce, and 1 tsp salt for at least 1 hour.

   ⏱ 60 min

2. 2

   Mix flour with 1 tsp salt. Dredge chicken in the flour, dip briefly back into buttermilk, then dredge again.

   ⏱ 10 min

3. 3

   Heat oil to 350 F in a heavy pot. Fry chicken in batches until deep golden and 165 F inside.

   ⏱ 12 min

4. 4

   Rest fried chicken on a rack. Stir cayenne, brown sugar, and paprika with 1/2 cup hot frying oil to make the spice oil.

   ⏱ 5 min

5. 5

   Brush the hot spice oil over the chicken while it is still crisp.

   ⏱ 2 min

6. 6

   Build sandwiches with toasted buns, hot chicken, and plenty of pickles.

   ⏱ 3 min