The State’s Best Dish: Nashville Hot Chicken

Nashville Hot Chicken has become a Southern culinary staple, known for its fiery flavor and satisfying crunch. But behind every bite of this spicy delight is a story as bold as the dish itself.

The legend of Nashville Hot Chicken originates in the 1930s and centers around one man: Thornton Prince III. The tale has it that Prince was said to have come home late one night after spending time with another woman. His then-girlfriend, angry and seeking revenge, decided to cook him a breakfast of fried chicken seasoned with an extreme amount of cayenne pepper.

To her surprise, her plan to punish him backfired as Prince loved the spicy chicken. Instead of being deterred by the heat, he saw potential in the fiery concoction. Prince began perfecting the recipe, which would become the basis for the hot chicken we know today. A pig farmer by day, he eventually opened a small restaurant alongside his brothers called “The Bar-B-Q Chicken Shack” in north Nashville. The small establishment that opened in the late afternoon and closed at midnight, moved several different times. When Prince died in 1960, he left the restaurant to his nephew, Bruce. The chicken shack eventually wound up in the hands of Prince’s great niece, who changed the name to Prince’s Hot Chicken and still oversees operations today.

Over the years, Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack became a Nashville institution, and locals couldn’t get enough of the spicy dish. The restaurant's popularity continued to grow, and over time, the dish spread beyond its original roots, attracting visitors from all over.

While Prince’s was the pioneer, other restaurants began to take notice. Places like Hattie B’s helped bring hot chicken into the mainstream, offering variations in spice levels and broadening its appeal. Soon, the dish wasn't just a local favorite; it became a symbol of Nashville’s unique food scene.

Nashville Hot Chicken is known for its crispy exterior and intense heat, but what really sets it apart is its signature blend of spices. The chicken is typically marinated in a buttermilk brine, fried to perfection, and then coated with a spicy paste made of cayenne pepper, garlic, paprika, and other seasonings. The dish is traditionally served atop white bread with pickles to balance out the heat.

In the last decade, Nashville Hot Chicken has exploded in popularity, extending far beyond Tennessee. National chains and restaurants across the country began featuring their own versions of the dish, often trying to replicate the authentic heat and flavor of Nashville's original.

Even internationally, hot chicken has found fans. Its distinct flavor and story resonate with food lovers worldwide who seek the authentic taste of Nashville. Despite the many imitations, many still regard Prince’s as the true home of the dish.

Whether you like it mild or extra hot, Nashville Hot Chicken is a dish steeped in history and flavor. It’s a testament to how a simple recipe, born out of a moment of spite, can grow into a beloved tradition that defines a city and captures the hearts, and taste buds, of people worldwide.

They say that revenge is best served cold, but in this case it was served Nashville hot!