How Hot is Nashville Hot Chicken?
Nashville hot chicken is a spicy dish that originated in Nashville, Tennessee. It consists of fried chicken coated with a fiery sauce made from cayenne pepper, butter, lard, and other seasonings. It is usually served on white bread with pickles on top.
But how hot is Nashville hot chicken exactly? And what makes it so delicious and addictive? In this article, we will answer these questions and more. We will also give you some tips on how to enjoy this dish without burning your tongue.
The Scoville Scale of Nashville Hot Chicken
One way to measure the heat of Nashville hot chicken is by using the Scoville scale. This scale indicates how much capsaicin (the chemical compound that causes the burning sensation) is present in a food or sauce. The higher the Scoville heat units (SHU), the hotter the food or sauce.
For comparison, a jalapeño pepper has about 2,500 to 8,000 SHU, while a habanero pepper has about 100,000 to 350,000 SHU. A typical bottle of Tabasco sauce has about 2,000 to 5,000 SHU.
According to one recipe, the sauce for Nashville hot chicken has about 3 tablespoons of cayenne pepper, which has about 30,000 to 50,000 SHU. Assuming that the sauce is evenly distributed over 4 servings of chicken, each serving would have about 22,500 to 37,500 SHU of cayenne pepper. However, this does not account for the other ingredients in the sauce, such as brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, which may also add some heat or sweetness to the sauce. Therefore, the actual temperature of Nashville hot chicken may be higher or lower than this estimate.
Of course, different restaurants and recipes may have different levels of spiciness for their Nashville hot chicken. Some places offer mild, medium, hot, extra hot, or even inferno levels of heat. You can choose the level that suits your taste and tolerance.
The History and Culture of Nashville Hot Chicken
Nashville hot chicken is not just a dish; it is also a part of the city’s history and culture. The origin of this dish is traced back to Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack in Nashville, where it was created as a revenge prank by the owner’s girlfriend. She wanted to punish him for cheating on her by making him a super spicy chicken. However, he liked it so much that he decided to open his own restaurant and serve it to the public.
Since then, Nashville hot chicken has become a popular specialty in Nashville and beyond. Many celebrities and politicians have tried it and praised it. It has also inspired many variations and spin-offs, such as hot fish, hot tofu, and hot cauliflower. It has even been featured in TV shows and movies.
Nashville hot chicken is more than just a food; it is also a way of life. It represents the spirit of Nashville: bold, creative, and fun-loving. It brings people together and creates a sense of community. It is a symbol of pride and identity for the city.
How to Enjoy Nashville Hot Chicken
If you are interested in trying Nashville hot chicken for yourself, you can find some places that serve it in and around the city by following this link. You can also make your own version at home by following this recipe or this one.
However, be warned: Nashville hot chicken is not for the faint of heart. It can cause sweating, tears, numbness, and pain. It can also irritate your stomach and throat. Therefore, you should take some precautions before eating it.
Here are some tips on how to enjoy Nashville hot chicken without suffering too much:
- Drink plenty of water before and after eating it. Water will help dilute the capsaicin and flush it out of your system.
- Have some milk or yogurt handy to cool down your tongue if it gets too hot. Dairy products contain casein, which can bind with capsaicin and reduce its effects.
- Eat some bread or rice with your chicken. Carbohydrates can also help absorb some of the capsaicin and ease the burn.
- Avoid touching your eyes or mouth after handling the sauce. Capsaicin can linger on your fingers and cause irritation if you rub them on sensitive areas.
- Enjoy the flavor and the thrill of eating Nashville hot chicken. Don’t let the heat scare you away from trying something new and exciting.
FAQ
Conclusion
Nashville hot chicken is a delicious and spicy dish that originated in Nashville, Tennessee. It is made of fried chicken coated with a fiery sauce made from cayenne pepper, butter, lard, and other seasonings. It is usually served on white bread with pickles on top.
Nashville hot chicken is not only a food; it is also a part of the city’s history and culture. It represents the spirit of Nashville: bold, creative, and fun-loving. It brings people together and creates a sense of community. It is a symbol of pride and identity for the city.
If you want to try Nashville hot chicken for yourself, you can find some places that serve it in and around the city by following this link. You can also make your own version at home by following this recipe or this one.
However, be careful: Nashville hot chicken is not for the faint of heart. It can cause sweating, tears, numbness, and pain. It can also irritate your stomach and throat. Therefore, you should take some precautions before eating it.
Here are some tips on how to enjoy Nashville hot chicken without suffering too much:
- Drink plenty of water before and after eating it.
- Have some milk or yogurt handy to cool your tongue if it gets too hot.
- Eat some bread or rice with your chicken.
- Avoid touching your eyes or mouth after handling the sauce.
- Enjoy the flavor and thrill of eating Nashville hot chicken.
We hope you enjoyed this article on how hot Nashville’s chicken is. If you have any questions or comments, please let us know below. Thank you for reading! 😊
