These Nashville Honey Chicken Sliders are crispy, spicy, sweet, and ridiculously satisfying. Juicy fried chicken is coated in a bold Nashville-style hot honey oil, layered into soft slider buns with fresh slaw and creamy dynamite sauce. They’re indulgent, flavour-packed, and perfect for gatherings, weekend cooking, or when you want a restaurant-style slider at home.

Unlike traditional Nashville hot chicken, this version balances heat with sweetness, making it approachable while still delivering that signature spicy kick.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Crispy, juicy chicken with a bold Nashville-inspired flavour

• Sweet heat from honey and cayenne without overpowering spice

• Simple double-coating method for extra crunch

• Fresh slaw balances the richness perfectly

• Great for sliders, wraps, or even as a main with fries

Ingredients

For the Chicken Marinade

• 500g chicken breast, cut into medium-sized pieces
• 2 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp white pepper
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp vinegar

For the Coating

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 4 tsp paprika
• 2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp white pepper
• 2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 cup water
• Oil, for frying

For the Coleslaw

• 1 cup red cabbage, thinly sliced
• 1 cup lettuce, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup carrot, thinly sliced

For the Slaw Dressing

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Chopped coriander and mint leaves

For the Nashville Honey Sauce

• 1 tbsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tbsp sriracha
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tsp paprika
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1/2 cup hot oil from frying the chicken

For Assembling & Serving

• Slider buns
• Dynamite sauce (mayonnaise + sweet chilli sauce)
• Fries or chips, for serving

Instructions

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

• Add the chicken pieces to a bowl

• Season with paprika, salt, garlic powder, white pepper, black pepper, and vinegar

• Mix well until evenly coated

• Cover and rest for at least 20 minutes (or up to overnight in the fridge)

Step 2: Prepare the Coating

• In a bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, paprika, salt, garlic powder, white pepper, and black pepper

• Divide this mixture evenly into two bowls

• Add water to one bowl to create a thick wet batter

• Keep the other bowl dry for the final coating

Step 3: Coat the Chicken

• Dip each marinated chicken piece first into the wet batter

• Then coat thoroughly in the dry flour mixture

• Press gently to help the coating stick properly

• Set aside while the oil heats

Step 4: Fry the Chicken

• Heat oil in a deep pan to medium-high heat (about 170–175°C)

• Fry chicken in batches for 4–5 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through

• Remove and place on a wire rack or paper towel

• Reserve 1/2 cup of the hot frying oil for the sauce

Step 5: Make the Nashville Honey Sauce

• In a heatproof bowl, add cayenne, brown sugar, salt, black pepper, and paprika

• Carefully pour the hot frying oil over the spices

• Stir immediately until well combined

• Add honey and mix until smooth

• Brush or spoon this sauce generously over the fried chicken

Step 6: Prepare the Coleslaw

• Add cabbage, lettuce, and carrot to a bowl

• In a separate bowl, whisk olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper

• Toss the dressing with the vegetables

• Finish with chopped coriander and mint

Step 7: Assemble the Sliders

• Slice slider buns in half

• Spread dynamite sauce on the bottom bun

• Add a piece of Nashville honey chicken

• Top with fresh slaw

• Close with the top bun and serve immediately

Tips & Tricks

• Adjust cayenne to control spice level

• Use a thermometer for consistent frying results

• Let chicken rest on a rack, not paper towels, to keep it crispy

• These chicken pieces also work great in wraps or bowls

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. Can I make the chicken ahead of time?
Yes. Fry the chicken and reheat in the oven or air fryer before tossing in the Nashville honey sauce.

Q. Can this be made in an air fryer or oven?
Yes, though it won’t be identical. Spray coated chicken generously with oil and air fry at 200°C until crispy and cooked through.

Q. What is dynamite sauce?
A simple mix of mayonnaise and sweet chilli sauce. Adjust ratios to taste.