Keto Nashville Hot Chicken & Waffle Sliders

As self-proclaimed waffle fanatics at PorkRinds.com HQ, we're always looking for ways to incorporate waffles into our diet. We've tried them with ice cream, syrup and even peanut butter; but the best way to enjoy these delicious treats is by pairing them with cooked chicken.

This low carb recipe makes for the perfect appetizer (or main dish), and you can't go wrong with all of your favorite Southern food staples in one.

What is Nashville Hot Chicken?

Nashville Hot Chicken is a Southern dish that originated in Nashville, Tennessee. It consists of fried chicken (usually chicken thighs or drumsticks) that's been marinated in buttermilk and then coated in a spicy seasoning blend (smoked paprika, cayenne pepper or black pepper can be used).

The chicken is then fried in hot oil until golden brown and served with pickles or dill pickle chips and a side of hot sauce!

You can technically make this fried chicken sandwich recipe with drumsticks, thighs, or wings; but we recommend using chicken tenders or chicken tenderloins because they're easier to chop into bite-size pieces! You may also want to adjust the amount of cayenne pepper if using breast meat instead of chicken thigh because it won't absorb as much heat from the spice blend compared to darker meat options like leg quarters or wings.

You like spicy food and you want a made-from-scratch low carb version of your favorite hot chicken recipe? We've got you covered.

The History of Nashville Hot Chicken

It is generally believed that the modern version of Nashville Chicken was created in the 1970s by the owner of Prince's Hot Chicken Shack, a historic Nashville restaurant.

The dish has become popular among locals and tourists alike because of its unique flavor profile; it's been called one of America's most iconic regional foods.

Historically speaking, Nashville Hot Chicken sandwich is not compliant with low-carb diets. That's because the cooked chicken thighs are typically breaded in carbohydrate-dense flour and served on a piece of white bread.

How To Make and Eat Keto Nashville Hot Chicken

Now that you're all set up and ready to go, it's time to cook some keto Nashville hot chicken sandwiches!

First, grab your chicken breast and chop it into bite-sized pieces. You can do this by hand or use a sharp knife. Just make sure they're small enough to fit on a waffle quarter.(If you have time, you can marinate the chicken for a few hours in a large resealable plastic bag).

Next, dip the chicken in an egg wash and coat each piece with a keto-friendly breading made from crushed pork rinds, spices, and almond flour (blended together). This helps give the chicken its signature spicy coating while keeping everything nice and crispy when air fried.

Afterward, just air fry those bad boys until golden brown on both sides - about 5 minutes total should do it, depending on how thickly coated your chicken is and your air fryer size.

Next, we brush a delicious hot sauce mixture onto the fresh fried chicken.

We like to serve our keto Nashville Hot Chicken on a low carb waffle. It makes a great finger food for tailgates, but there's nothing stopping you from turning this spicy fried chicken into a main course!

Where do I find Keto Waffles?

To simplify the original recipe, we recommend purchasing a pre-made, low carb waffle from your local grocery store. Oftentimes, these are available in the frozen food aisle.

More recently, grocery stores have begun carrying low carb waffle mix that you can make and cook up on your own.

Feeling adventurous? There are many ketogenic waffle recipes available online to make your own, including our waffle recipe made from pork rinds.

Nashville Hot Chicken & Waffle Sliders Keto Recipe

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup of Southern Recipe Small Batch Pineapple Ancho Chile pork rinds, crushed
• 2 skinless chicken breasts
• 24 low carb waffles, cut into quarters
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup almond flour
• 1 tbsp hot sauce
• 2 tbsp cayenne pepper for the spicy sauce
  
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp keto brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 cup avocado oil or another oil with a high smoke point
  
• Sliced pickles for garnish

Instructions:

1. Prepare two medium-sized bowls to coat the chicken. In the first medium bowl, place egg, heavy cream (you can use a dairy free substitute as well), and hot sauce, and whisk until well combined. In the second bowl, combine Southern Recipe Small Batch Pork Rinds, and almond flour.
2. Cut each chicken breast into 4-inch pieces (the same size as the cut waffles) and pat them dry with a paper towel.
3. Preheat the air fryer to medium high heat (325°F).
4. Coat the chicken in the pork rind crumbs, gently shake off excess, then egg mixture, then back into the pork rind mixture, and place in the air fryer. Repeat until all the pieces of chicken are coated.
5. Air fry until golden brown and cook to an internal temperature of 165°F. Cook times will vary depending on your air fryer.
6. In another bowl, combine cayenne pepper, chili powder, garlic, and keto brown sugar or a brown sugar substitute, along with 1/2 cup of warm avocado oil. Stir well, then brush the mixture over the air-fried chicken pieces.Transfer the chicken thighs to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil.
7. Cut waffles into quarters and then warm them. Top each one with a piece of chicken. Garnish with picklesand serve immediately. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can reheat them in the oven on the wire rack to crisp them back up. Heat at 375′ for about 4-5 minutes.

Conclusion

Looking for a low carb recipe that is easy to make and delicious to eat? These sliders are the perfect gluten free treats for your next party! They're full of flavor, easy to make and will have everyone asking for more.