Slow Cooker Shredded Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich Recipe

This irresistible Slow Cooker Shredded Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich brings the iconic Nashville flavor right to your kitchen with minimal effort. The chicken slow cooks to tender perfection while absorbing a perfect blend of spices, then gets topped with a signature spicy butter sauce that defines Nashville hot chicken. It’s the ultimate comfort food sandwich that practically makes itself while you go about your day!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Effortless Preparation: Just toss everything in the slow cooker and let it work its magic—perfect for busy days when you want a spectacular meal without standing over the stove.
• Customizable Heat: You control the spice level, making it family-friendly or fiery hot depending on your preference.
• Restaurant Quality at Home: Enjoy the distinctive Nashville hot chicken flavor without leaving your house or spending restaurant prices.
• Crowd Pleaser: Whether for game day, family dinner, or entertaining friends, these sandwiches never fail to impress and satisfy.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: The star of the show that becomes wonderfully tender and shreddable after slow cooking.
• Light Brown Sugar: Adds that essential touch of sweetness that balances the heat and creates depth of flavor.
• Garlic Powder: Provides savory notes without the hassle of fresh garlic, making prep even simpler.
• Onion Powder: Adds a subtle aromatic quality that enhances the overall flavor profile.
• Cayenne Pepper: The essential spice that gives Nashville hot chicken its signature heat—use more or less depending on your heat tolerance.
• Salt: Enhances all the other flavors and brings everything together.
• Butter: Creates richness in both the cooking process and the finishing sauce—the fat carries the flavors and provides that authentic Nashville hot chicken experience.

Variations

Want to customize your Nashville hot chicken experience? Try these tasty variations:

• Honey Hot: Replace some of the brown sugar with honey for a different sweet note.
• Extra Crispy: After shredding, spread the chicken on a baking sheet and broil for 2-3 minutes for crispy edges.
• Pickle Brined: Soak the chicken in pickle juice for a few hours before cooking for extra tanginess.
• Southern Slaw Addition: Top your sandwich with a cool, creamy coleslaw for temperature and texture contrast.

How to Make Slow Cooker Shredded Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich

Step 1: Prepare the Slow Cooker

Spray your 6 or 8-quart slow cooker with cooking spray to prevent sticking. This simple step makes cleanup much easier later.

Step 2: Add Chicken and Seasonings

Place chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker. Sprinkle the brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, and salt evenly over the chicken. Place butter slices on top of the seasoned chicken.

Step 3: Slow Cook to Perfection

Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and easily shreds with a fork.

Step 4: Shred the Chicken

Using two forks, shred the chicken right in the slow cooker, mixing it with all those flavorful juices. Keep the chicken warm in the slow cooker while you prepare the sauce.

Step 5: Prepare the Nashville Hot Sauce

In a small saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture comes to a simmer. Remove from heat immediately to prevent burning.

Step 6: Assemble Your Sandwiches

Place your shredded chicken on buns of your choice and drizzle generously with the hot sauce. Serve immediately while everything is hot and delicious.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

• Choose the Right Chicken: If you prefer darker meat, boneless skinless thighs work beautifully and stay even more moist.
• Don’t Skip the Sauce: The sauce is what makes this Nashville hot chicken authentic—it’s worth the extra few minutes to prepare it.
• Control the Heat: The recipe as written creates a medium heat level. Adjust the cayenne up or down for your preference.
• Keep Stirring the Sauce: The butter sauce can burn quickly, so don’t walk away while it’s cooking.
• Let the Chicken Rest: After shredding, letting the chicken sit in its juices for 10 minutes allows it to absorb even more flavor.

How to Serve

Nashville hot chicken sandwiches are a meal in themselves, but they’re even better with complementary sides and toppings:

Perfect Pairings:

• Crispy dill pickle chips (traditional and helps cool the heat)
• Creamy coleslaw (either on the sandwich or on the side)
• Potato salad or french fries
• Macaroni and cheese for the ultimate comfort food experience

Bread Options:

• Brioche buns add a buttery richness
• Texas toast provides sturdy support for the saucy chicken
• Potato rolls offer a soft, slightly sweet contrast

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

The shredded chicken stores beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors actually develop and improve overnight!

Freezing

Freeze the shredded chicken (without sauce) in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. The sauce is best made fresh when ready to serve.

Reheating

Reheat the chicken in the microwave with a splash of water or chicken broth to maintain moisture. Alternatively, reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat. Always make fresh sauce for the best flavor and texture.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
While it’s always safest to use thawed chicken in slow cookers for food safety reasons, if you must use frozen, increase the cooking time by about 2 hours and make sure the chicken reaches 165°F. However, thawed chicken will absorb the seasonings better and cook more evenly.

Is Nashville hot chicken always this spicy?
Traditional Nashville hot chicken is known for its heat, but this recipe is customizable! For a milder version, reduce the cayenne pepper by half. For extra heat, double the cayenne or add a teaspoon of hot sauce to the butter mixture.

Can I make this recipe in an Instant Pot instead?
Absolutely! Place all ingredients in the Instant Pot, add 1/2 cup chicken broth, and cook on high pressure for 12 minutes with a 10-minute natural release. Then shred and proceed with the sauce recipe as written.

What’s the difference between Buffalo chicken and Nashville hot chicken?
Buffalo chicken uses a vinegar-based hot sauce mixed with butter, while Nashville hot chicken features a dry spice blend followed by a spiced oil or butter sauce. Nashville hot chicken typically has a more complex flavor profile with that signature cayenne heat.

Final Thoughts

This Slow Cooker Shredded Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich brings all the bold, spicy flavors of Tennessee’s famous dish right to your kitchen with minimal effort. It’s the perfect combination of convenience and incredible taste that’ll have your family and friends thinking you spent hours in the kitchen. Whether you’re new to Nashville hot chicken or a seasoned fan, this slow cooker version delivers all the flavor with a fraction of the work. Give it a try this week—your taste buds will thank you!

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