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Nashville Hot Chicken Fries Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 85 reviews

Nashville Hot Chicken Fries combine crispy baked waffle fries topped with spicy, buttery chicken tenders smothered in a creamy cheddar cheese sauce, finished with tangy coleslaw and dill pickle chips. This dish delivers the iconic bold flavors of Nashville hot chicken in a shareable, snackable form perfect for game day or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Coleslaw

  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tsp dill pickle brine
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 3 cups chopped green cabbage (about 8 oz; from about 1/4 small head)
  • 2 scallions, thinly sliced

Nachos

  • 1 (22-oz.) bag frozen waffle fries
  • 12 oz frozen chicken tenders (from 1 [29-oz.] bag)
  • 1 Tbsp vegetable oil
  • 4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 Tbsp packed light brown sugar
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 7 Tbsp unsalted butter, divided
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tsp all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 tsp dry mustard
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 1 oz cream cheese
  • 4 oz sharp orange cheddar, shredded on the large holes of a box grater
  • Dill pickle chips, for topping

Instructions

  1. Prepare Coleslaw: In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and dill pickle brine until smooth. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Add chopped green cabbage and thinly sliced scallions, then toss well to combine. Refrigerate the coleslaw for at least 20 minutes or up to 2 hours to allow flavors to meld.
  2. Bake Fries and Chicken: Preheat the oven to 425°F and place racks in the center and lower third of the oven. Spread the frozen waffle fries in a single layer on a large baking sheet and arrange the frozen chicken tenders on another baking sheet. Bake both, turning and rotating the sheets as needed, until the fries and chicken are very crispy and cooked through according to package instructions. Let cool slightly.
  3. Make Spicy Butter Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine vegetable oil, cayenne pepper, brown sugar, garlic powder, paprika, and 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until the butter is fully melted and ingredients are well blended, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat. The sauce may separate as it rests; whisk to recombine before use.
  4. Prepare Cheddar Cheese Sauce: In a medium pot over medium heat, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Sprinkle in all-purpose flour and dry mustard, then cook while whisking frequently until the mixture is smooth and forms a roux. Reduce heat to medium-low and slowly pour in milk while whisking continuously. Continue to cook and whisk occasionally until the sauce is smooth, steaming, and slightly thickened. Add cream cheese and whisk until melted and incorporated. Remove from heat, then gradually add the shredded sharp cheddar, whisking until smooth. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  5. Assemble the Nashville Hot Chicken Fries: Pile the baked waffle fries in the center of a large baking sheet. Chop the crispy chicken tenders into bite-sized pieces and transfer to a medium bowl. Add about half of the spicy butter sauce to the chicken and toss until each piece is well coated. Drizzle some of the remaining spicy butter sauce over the fries, then pour about half of the cheddar cheese sauce on top. Scatter the coated chicken pieces evenly over the cheese sauce. Drizzle with the remaining spicy butter sauce and the leftover cheese sauce. Top the pile with the chilled coleslaw, then garnish with dill pickle chips for added tang and crunch.

Notes

  • Adjust the cayenne amount to control the heat level of the spicy butter sauce.
  • For crispier fries and chicken, avoid overcrowding baking sheets during baking.
  • Use freshly shredded cheddar for a smoother cheese sauce and better melting.
  • Coleslaw can be prepared up to 2 hours ahead to enhance flavor development.
  • Serve immediately after assembly for the best texture and temperature contrast.

Keywords: Nashville hot chicken, spicy chicken fries, baked fries, coleslaw topping, cheddar cheese sauce, game day snacks

Find it online: https://cookwithyana.com/nashville-hot-chicken-fries-recipe/