Are you a fan of spicy foods? Look no further than Nashville hot chicken, a fiery, crispy delight originating in Music City. But what sets it apart from other spicy and fried chicken varieties worldwide? Let’s find out.
Legend has it that hot chicken was created by Thornton Prince’s girlfriend in the 1930s as a way to teach him a lesson about staying out late. He loved it so much that he began serving it at his restaurant, Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack. Today, you can find hot chicken in Nashville and beyond, including at Crimson Coward’s locations in California, Texas, and Michigan.
Unlike other spicy chicken, Nashville hot chicken is not just about the heat. It’s also about crispy exterior, juicy meat, and signature cayenne-based rub. At Crimson Coward, they took their time to develop the perfect blend of spices for their Crimson Rub. They apply the Crimson Rub at least 24 hours before cooking. Plus, they use locally sourced, non-GMO, never-frozen halal chicken for a fresh, high-quality taste.
Of course, Nashville hot chicken is just one example of a spicy chicken dish. Peppers and chilies are used worldwide to add heat and flavor to chicken dishes. In Mexico, you’ll find chicken Tinga featuring shredded chicken with a chipotle pepper sauce. Did you know that chipotle peppers are smoke-dried jalapeno peppers? Jalapenos are left on the plant to mature and turn red fully. The ripe jalapenos are left to dry on the plant and then are smoke-dried sometimes for several days.
The smoke-drying creates that unique smokey flavor synonymous with chipotles. Canned chipotles sold in the supermarket, however, are in an adobo sauce. Keviniscooking.com shares, “Adobo Sauce is made from chili powder, vinegar, sugar, garlic, and herbs. ”If you want a straight-up Chipotle flavor, look for the dried variety. You may appreciate chipotle peppers more because “It takes about 10 pounds of jalapeño peppers to make 1 pound of chipotle peppers.”
In Korea, fiery dak galbi is a spicy chicken stir-fry with gochujang paste served with mixed vegetables, including cabbage and sweet potatoes. Gochujang is a fermented pepper paste that is a staple in Korean pantries. Bon Appetite describes it as “a thick and spicy-sweet crimson paste made from red chile pepper flakes, glutinous rice (also known as sticky rice), fermented soybeans, and salt.”
In India, there’s spicy chicken vindaloo made with heat from red chilies and tanginess from vinegar. “Vindaloo is an iconic dish in Goan cuisine, often served on holidays, Christmas, Easter, and special occasions.”
Traditionally, vindaloo uses Kashmiri chilies, a bright red mild chile, a hallmark of Indian cuisine with a mild and fruity flavor. The vibrant red hue of a vindaloo curry or other Indian dishes is thanks to powdered Kashmiri chilies.
No matter the type of spicy chicken you prefer, you’ll need some delicious sides to go with it. At Crimson Coward, you can choose from an array of classic favorites like macaroni and cheese, potato salad, coleslaw, and some unexpected options like fried pickles.
Crimson Coward’s Macaroni and cheese perfectly complement their delicious hot chicken. This classic comfort food has been a staple in American cuisine since the 1930s and Crimson Coward has perfected it with a creamy and rich sauce.
Mac and cheese originated in the 14th century in Italy and medieval England with more basic and simpler versions than today’s recipes. Thomas Jefferson is cited for bringing macaroni back to the United States after traveling to Paris. Kraft first introduced the now iconic blue. Box of mac and cheese back in 1937 at 19 cents a box. Nothing compares to fresh macaroni and cheese, but the boxed variety brought a new level of accessibility to the classic dish. The combination of flavors and textures is irresistible, so it’s no surprise that mac and cheese remain a beloved side dish in America.
Potato salad is a popular side dish in many cultures, from German-style potato salad with a vinegar base to American-style potato salad with a mayonnaise base and indulgent add-ins like chopped bacon, hard-boiled eggs, and even grated cheddar cheese. Southern Germany is known for their delicious potato salads featuring white vinegar, onions, and strong beef broth. Crimson Coward’s potato salad is creamy and tangy without overly rich, complementing their hot fried chicken.
Fried pickles are a favorite snack in the southern United States, and for good reason. The combination of crispy batter and tangy pickle slices is hard to resist. At Crimson Coward, they take it to the next level by serving it perfectly fried with ranch dressing. No one likes a soggy fried pickle or one with too much batter. Their crisp fried pickles are a generous shareable portion; what’s not to love?
Thanks to its cool nature, Cole slaw is a refreshing side dish that pairs well with spicy chicken. Crimson Coward’s coleslaw is refreshing and crisp using a classic recipe with green and purple cabbage, shredded carrots, and a vinaigrette dressing rather than heavier mayonnaise-based coleslaw.
In conclusion, Nashville hot chicken is a unique and delicious dish among spicy chicken varieties worldwide. At Crimson Coward, they take pride in sourcing high-quality chicken and developing the perfect spice blend. And with an array of classic and creative side dishes, you will find something to satisfy your taste buds. So, what are you waiting for? Head to your nearest Crimson Coward location and give it a try!
“20 of the best fried chicken restaurants places in America.”
“35 best fried chicken places in America.”
Locally honored by
the Press-Telegram and LAStartups!
Copyright © 2024 CRIMSON COWARD. All Right Reserved
