Print

Nashville Hot Chicken Fries with Spicy Butter Sauce and Coleslaw Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 84 reviews

These Nashville Hot Chicken Fries combine crispy baked waffle fries and chicken tenders tossed in a spicy butter sauce, layered with creamy cheddar cheese sauce, tangy coleslaw, and dill pickle chips for a perfect balance of heat and cool crunch.

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 the Coleslaw: In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and dill pickle brine. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Add chopped green cabbage and sliced scallions, then toss well to combine. Refrigerate the coleslaw until ready to assemble, for at least 20 minutes or up to 2 hours.
  2. Bake Fries and Chicken: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) and arrange racks in the center and lower third of the oven. Spread frozen waffle fries in a single layer on a large baking sheet, and arrange frozen chicken tenders on another baking sheet. Bake both, turning and rotating the sheets as needed, until the fries and chicken are very crispy as per package instructions. Allow them to cool slightly.
  3. Make the Spicy Butter Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine vegetable oil, cayenne pepper, light brown sugar, garlic powder, paprika, and 6 tablespoons of the unsalted butter. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cook while stirring frequently until the butter melts, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat. The sauce may separate as it cools, but whisk it back together before using.
  4. Prepare the Cheese Sauce: In a medium pot over medium heat, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Sprinkle in all-purpose flour and dry mustard, cooking while whisking frequently until the mixture is smooth. Lower heat to medium-low and slowly pour in milk, whisking continuously until combined. Cook, whisking occasionally, until the sauce is smooth, steaming, and slightly thickened. Add cream cheese and whisk until melted. Remove pot from heat and gradually add shredded cheddar cheese, whisking until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  5. Assemble the Nachos: Pile the baked waffle fries in the center of a baking sheet. Chop the cooled chicken tenders into bite-sized pieces and place in a medium bowl. Toss the chicken with about half of the spicy butter sauce to coat evenly. Drizzle some remaining spicy butter sauce over the fries. Pour about half of the cheese sauce over the fries. Scatter the coated chicken pieces over the cheese sauce, then drizzle the remaining spicy butter and cheese sauce on top. Pile the chilled coleslaw over everything and finish by topping with dill pickle chips.

Notes

  • For extra heat, increase cayenne pepper according to your spice preference.
  • Baking times for fries and chicken may vary depending on the brand; follow package instructions for crispiness.
  • The spicy butter sauce may separate when cooling; just whisk before use for optimal texture.
  • Coleslaw can be prepared up to 2 hours ahead to allow flavors to meld.
  • This dish is best served immediately after assembly to enjoy the contrasting textures.

Keywords: Nashville hot chicken fries, spicy chicken, waffle fries, Nashville hot chicken, cheesy fries, coleslaw, appetizer, snack

Find it online: https://thefoodrecipe.com/nashville-hot-chicken-fries-with-spicy-butter-sauce-and-coleslaw-recipe/