These Nashville Hot Chicken Nuggets (Cheesecake Factory Copycat Recipe) are crispy, juicy, and packed with bold heat in every bite. Whether you’re recreating your restaurant favorite, planning game day snacks, or just want a spicy treat, this recipe will hit the spot every time.
Desperately longing for the spicy jolt of Nashville Hot Chicken Nuggets from The Cheesecake Factory?
You don’t have to leave the house to satisfy your spicy cravings — this copycat recipe delivers all that crisp, bold and wonderfully hot flavor right in your very own kitchen.
Chunks of juicy chicken are fried until golden and then drenched in a spicy, rich Nashville-style hot sauce that’s buttery, smoky, and properly fiery. Great as an appetizer or game day food, or even served for a fun weeknight meal-you can’t go wrong with these chicken nuggets!
Why You Will Love This Recipe!
🔥 Restaurant quality in home – Save money and skip the wait.
🍗 Crispy and juicy – Buttermilk brine makes the chicken super tender inside, and the coating crispier than any restaurant’s!
🌶️ Customizable spice – Make it as hot or mild as you want.
🥒 It’s perfectly dippable – Perfection for ranch, blue cheese, or pickles.
Cheesecake Factory Nashville Hot Chicken Nuggets Ingredients
- Chicken: Use boneless, skinless chicken breast or chicken thighs.
- Buttermilk: To tenderize the chicken
- Hot sauce: Added to the buttermilk for some extra flavor
- Flour & cornstarch: To make them crispy and crunchy
- Seasonings: Paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper
- Butter: For the Nashville hot sauce premiere defense base
- Brown sugar: To offset the spice
- Pickles: Because we want that classic Nashville hot chicken vibe happening
How To Make Cheesecake Factory Nashville Hot Chicken Nuggets
Step One: In a bowl, whisk together buttermilk and hot sauce. Add in chicken pieces and let marinate for 1 hour to overnight.
Step Two: Combine flour, cornstarch and seasonings in a bowl. Dip marinated chicken in dredge, coating completely.
Step Three: Preheat oil to 350 degrees F, and fry chicken in batches until golden and brown and cooked through.
Step Four: In a small pan, melt butter and mix in cayenne, smoked paprika, garlic powder and brown sugar. Coat fried chicken in Nashville hot sauce until well covered.
Step Five: Serve with pickles & dips – Traditional Nashville!
Cheesecake Factory Nashville Hot Chicken Nuggets Recipe Tips
- Double dredge for an extra crunchy coating.
- Use a thermometer to keep frying oil at 350°F for perfectly crispy chicken.
- Make it milder by reducing cayenne and adding extra smoked paprika.
- Air fryer option – Coat the nuggets in cooking spray and air fry at 400°F for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway.
Serving Ideas
- Cheesecake Factory serves their Nashville Hot Chicken Nuggets with ranch and pickles, but you can get creative!
- With waffles for a spicy-sweet brunch twist.
- As a slider with brioche buns and slaw.
- On top of mac and cheese for the ultimate comfort meal.
- With a side of French fries or onion rings.
Variations
Honey Nashville Hot – Add honey to the sauce for sweet heat.
Extra Crispy – Use panko breadcrumbs in the dredge.
Spicy Ranch Dip – Mix ranch with hot sauce for dipping.
Storing & Reheating
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in the oven or air fryer at 375°F until hot and crispy.
- Freeze before saucing: fry chicken, cool completely, then freeze on a baking sheet. Reheat in the oven and toss in sauce before serving.
Nashville Hot Chicken Nuggets (Cheesecake Factory Copycat Recipe) Faqs
What is special about Nashville hot chicken? Unlike regular fried chicken, Nashville hot chicken is coated in a fiery cayenne pepper-based sauce. The nuggets are tossed in the spicy butter mixture. That provides them with a hot kick and the appropriate red color.
Can I cook these chicken nuggets in the air fryer? Yes! To air fry, spray the pieces coated with cooking spray and bake for 10-12 minutes at 400°F, turning occasionally. The texture is not as greasy, but it remains crisp and pleasing.
How spicy are these Nashville Hot Chicken Nuggets? They must be on the spicy side, but you can change the heat. Adding less cayenne results in a milder taste, while an additional amount delivers a fiery kick. The sauce’s sweet taste is balanced out with a bit of honey.
What dipping sauces complement hot Nashville chicken nuggets? Everything is fine with ranch, blue cheese, or creamy garlic sauce. There’s delicious spicy ranch or honey mustard. Do not forget the pickles: they cool you down.
Could I substitute chicken breast for thighs? Yes! Thighs are juicier and more flavorful. If you like a leaner taste, the chest may be better.
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Nashville Hot Chicken Nuggets (Cheesecake Factory Copycat Recipe)
Description
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken breast , or thighs – cut into bite-sized nuggets
- 1 ½ cups buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup unsalted butter , melted
- 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper, adjust to heat preference
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Pickle slices – for serving, classic Nashville style
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine 1 ½ cups buttermilk and 2 tablespoons hot sauce . Add 2 pounds chicken breast and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (overnight is even better).
- Mix f2 cups all-purpose flour , ½ cup cornstarch , 2 teaspoons paprika, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 2 teaspoons salt, and1 teaspoon black pepper in a bowl. Dredge marinated chicken until fully coated.
- Heat oil to 350°F and fry chicken in batches until golden brown and cooked through.
- In a saucepan, melt b½ cup unsalted butter and whisk in 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper, 1 tablespoon brown sugar , and1 teaspoon smoked paprika .
- Toss fried chicken in the Nashville hot sauce until evenly coated.
- Serve with Pickle slices – for serving & dips – Classic Nashville style!
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Tongs
Nutrition
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