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grilled nashville hot chicken sliders on a cutting board

Nashville Hot Chicken Sliders

These Nashville hot chicken sliders deliver authentic Southern heat without any deep frying or oil. Featuring grilled chicken thighs marinated in buttermilk and finished with a spicy mayo baste, they provide all the flavor of traditional Nashville hot chicken in a healthier, mess-free preparation perfect for summer grilling.
Servings 6
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 32 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • - 1½ lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, trimmed
  • - ¾ cup buttermilk
  • - 1 tablespoon pickle juice
  • - 1 tablespoon hot sauce
  • - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • - ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • - ⅓ cup mayonnaise
  • - 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
  • - 1 tablespoon hot sauce for baste
  • - 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • - ¼ teaspoon chili powder optional
  • - ½ teaspoon kosher salt for baste
  • - 12 slider buns or Hawaiian rolls
  • - ½ cup dill pickle chips
  • - Optional: shredded lettuce

Instructions
 

  • Marinate chicken thighs in buttermilk, pickle juice, hot sauce, salt, pepper, and garlic powder for 1-8 hours.
  • Make spicy mayo baste by whisking together mayo, cayenne, hot sauce, brown sugar, paprika, chili powder, and salt.
  • Preheat grill to medium-high heat (400°F). Remove chicken from marinade and pat lightly dry.
  • Grill chicken 4-6 minutes per side until charred and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  • Immediately brush hot chicken with spicy mayo baste on both sides while still hot.
  • Assemble sliders with basted chicken, pickles, and optional toppings. Serve immediately.

Notes

- Chicken thighs stay juicier than breasts and absorb flavors better
- Apply mayo baste while chicken is hot for best penetration
- Adjust cayenne quantity to control heat level
- Can be made with bone-in thighs for extra flavor