Dave’s Hot Chicken is a well-known American fast-casual restaurant chain recognized for its Nashville-style hot chicken.

The origin of Dave’s Hot Chickens

Dave’s Hot Chicken was founded in May 2017 in Los Angeles, California, by four close childhood friends of Armenian-American descent: Dave Kopushian, Arman Oganeshian, Tommy Rubenian, and Gary Rubenian.

The Signature Hot Chicken Recipe

Dave’s Hot is famous for its signature hot recipe, rooted in the expertise of its founder, Dave Kopushian. Before launching the chain, Kopushian honed his culinary skills as a professional chef, receiving training from renowned restaurateur Thomas Keller at The French Laundry, a prestigious three-Michelin-star restaurant.

How to Make Dave’s Hot Chicken

Here’s a simplified version of Dave’s Hot Chicken recipe:

Ingredients:

1. For Fried Chicken:
   • Bone-in chicken (3 to 4 lbs)
   • Dill pickle juice (1 ¼ cup)
   • Sugar (3 tbsp)
   • Hot sauce (¼ cup)
   • Buttermilk (1 ½ cup)
   • Cornstarch (¼ cup)
   • All-purpose flour (2 cups)
   • Vegetable oil or peanut oil (2 quarts)
   • Creole seasoning (3 tbsp)
2. For Spicy Oil:
   • Reserved fry oil (¾ cup)
   • Ground cayenne pepper (¼ cup)
   • Brown sugar (1 tbsp)
   • Smoked paprika (1 tbsp)
   • Chili powder (1 tsp)
   • Garlic powder (2 tsp)
   • Salt (1 tsp)
3. For Dipping Sauce:
   • Mayonnaise (½ cup)
   • Chipotle sauce (¼ cup)
   • Sugar (1 tbsp)
   • Honey (2 tbsp)

Procedure

1-Heat the pickle juice and mix in the sugar until it dissolves completely. Submerge the in this brine for a minimum of an hour, ideally marinating overnight for enhanced flavor.

2-Set up two separate bowls: one with the hot sauce and buttermilk mixture, and the other with the flour, cornstarch, and Creole seasoning mixture.

3-Coat each piece of chick first in the flour mixture, then dip in the buttermilk mixture and finally coat again with the flour mixture. Let the chicken rest on a metal rack before further preparation.

4-Heat oil in a pot until it reaches 350°F. Fry the chicken pieces until they acquire a golden brown color, usually takes about 7-8 minutes.

5- Make a spiced oil mixture by combining reserved fry oil with a selected spice.

6-For the dipping sauce, mix the mayonnaise, chipotle sauce, sugar and honey together until thoroughly mixed.

To make Nashville Hot leg piece, start by marinating chick pieces in buttermilk, hot sauce, and a mixture of paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper for at least an hour or overnight in the refrigerator. Next, dredge the chicken in a seasoned flour mixture, making sure it is well coated. Heat oil in a large skillet or deep fryer to 350°F. Fry the chicken in batches until golden brown, about 15-20 minutes depending on the size of the pieces.

While frying the chicken, prepare the spiced oil by combining hot frying oil with pepper, brown sugar and other spices to taste. Once the chicken is cooked, brush or drizzle the spiced oil over the hot chicken pieces. Serve Nashville hot chicken with pickles and white bread to balance the heat and enjoy!

To make Nashville-style hot chicken, here’s a basic recipe:

Ingredients:

• Chicken pieces (such as thighs, legs, or breasts)
• Buttermilk
• All-purpose flour
• Salt
• Pepper
• Paprika
• Cayenne pepper (adjust to taste for desired spiciness)
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Vegetable oil or lard for frying
• Hot sauce (traditionally, Louisiana-style hot sauce like Tabasco)
• Brown sugar (optional, for extra sweetness)
• White bread slices or sandwich buns (for serving)

In a bowl, mix buttermilk with plenty of hot sauce. Add the pieces to the bowl, making sure they are completely coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight for best results. In another bowl, combine flour, salt, pepper, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, and onion powder. Adjust the spices to your taste preferences, keeping in mind that Nashville is known for its spiciness.

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