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Slow Cooker Shredded Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich Recipe

By on | Updated on
5 from 1 vote
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Slow Cooker Shredded Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich has tender shredded slow-cooked chicken breast combined with the spicy Nashville Hot Chicken Sauce

Imagine if a Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich and a Slow Cooker Shredded BBQ Chicken Sandwich had a baby; this recipe would be the result!

A Slow Cooker Shredded Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich, with pickle slices and a slice of white onion, sitting on a cutting board.
Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love Nashville Chicken

  • Spicy – This sandwich has the classic Nashville Hot Sauce that is normally on fried chicken breast sandwiches at Nashville restaurants.
  • Easy Slow Cooker Recipe – Instead of pouring the sauce on fried chicken, we pour it on shredded chicken breasts that have been slow-cooked to bring out the flavor.
  • Delicious – With the slow-cooked chicken and the Nashville Hot Sauce, these sandwiches are so delicious they will knock your socks off.
  • Flavor Combo – This Nashville Chicken Sandwich has the perfect combination of flavors – spicy, sweet, and savory, for a delicious chicken sandwich!
A Slow Cooker Shredded Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich, with pickle slices and a slice of white onion, sitting on a cutting board, surrounded by crinkle French fries, with a red and white checkered napkin on the left and in the back.

What You’ll Need

Equipment

The affiliate links below will allow you to see the product on Amazon.com. If you purchase one of the items, I will receive a very small commission on the product, which does not increase the price.

Ingredient Notes

Below, I discuss the ingredients and possible substitutions if you don't have a specific ingredient. However, if you are looking for the specific measurements of each ingredient, scroll down to the bottom of this article, just above the comments, for the printable recipe card, which includes all the ingredients and the specific amounts of each one.

Overhead view of ingredients for Slow Cooker Shredded Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich.

Nashville Hot Chicken

  • Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts – you could also use chicken thighs or a mixture of white meat, and dark meat.
  • Brown Sugar – I used light brown sugar. However, you could use dark brown sugar if you prefer, but it can affect the color of the dish.
  • Garlic Powder
  • Onion Powder
  • Cayenne Pepper – This brings the heat!
  • Salt – To taste. If you are on a salt-restricted diet, you could leave It out.
  • Butter – Use real butter. It truly makes a difference in taste.

Nashville Hot Chicken Sauce

  • Butter – Use real butter.
  • Brown Sugar – I used light brown sugar.
  • Cayenne – This adds the spicy heat.
  • Garlic Powder
  • Onion Powder
  • Salt – To taste. If you are on a salt-restricted diet, you could leave It out.
A Slow Cooker Shredded Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich, with pickle slices and a slice of white onion, sitting on a cutting board surrounded by crinkle French fries, a red and white checkered napkins and sprigs of fresh cilantro in the back and a glass of ice tea.

How To Make Nashville Hot Chicken

How To MAKE THE CHICKEN

6-photo collage showing step by step how to make Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich.

STEP 1 – Spray the body of a 6 or 8-quart slow cooker with cooking spray.

STEP 2 – Add the chicken breasts to the bottom of the slow cooker.

STEP 3 – Sprinkle the brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, and salt all over the chicken.

STEP 4 – Add the slices of butter on top.

STEP 5 – Cook for 5-6 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high.

STEP 6 – Shred the chicken with two forks in the slow cooker and mix with the juices. Keep warm while you make the sauce.

How To MAKE THE NASHVILLE HOT CHICKEN SAUCE

STEP 1 – Add the butter, brown sugar, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt in a small saucepan.

STEP 2 – Place over medium heat and stir constantly so it doesn't burn until it comes to a simmer. Take off the heat.

STEP 3 – Add the chicken on top of the bread of your choice and drizzle the Nashville Hot Sauce on top; serve immediately.

Close up of Nashville Hot Shredded Chicken Sandwich.

Recipe Tips

  • Warm Sauce – Once the sauce starts to cool, it will separate, so you must keep it warm if you aren't using it all at once. Just place it back on the stove and whisk until it comes back together.
  • On The Side – I love to have that Nashville hot sauce on the side, so you can add as much or as little of the spicy sauce as you'd like.
  • Oh The Sauce! – The shredded chicken itself is nicely flavored with a hint of heat, but the sauce is really the star.

What To Make With Shredded Hot Nashville Chicken

  • Sandwiches / Sliders – Be ready for the big game with Nashville chicken sliders or sandwiches.
  • Salads – Top your favorite salad greens with Hot Nashville Chicken.
  • Tacos / Burritos – Hot Nashville Chicken makes a great filling for tacos and burritos.
  • Dip – Stir it in some sour cream or cream cheese for a delicious dip.
  • Pasta – Add it to hot cooked pasta for a tasty combination.
  • Stuffed Shells – Stuff the shells with Hot Nashville Chicken for a wonderful flavor and texture combination.
Overhead view of Hot Nashville Pulled Pork Sandwich.

What To Serve With Hot Nashville Chicken

FAQs

How Hot Is Nashville Hot Chicken?

It’s as hot as you make it. Since it is a homemade sauce recipe, you can control how spicy it is. You can add a lot or a little cayenne to control the heat.

How To Reheat Shredded Chicken Without Drying It Out?

Add water to a skillet over medium heat and bring the water to a simmer. Once simmering, add the shredded chicken. Lower the heat and gently stir the chicken.

How To Store Shredded Chicken?

Add the chicken in an airtight container and place in the refrigerator.

How Long Does Shredded Chicken Last In The Fridge?

Shredded chicken can last 3 – 5 days if stored in an airtight container.

How To Freeze Shredded Chicken?

Place the chicken in a freezer-safe, airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.

Shredded chicken with barbecue sauce, a sliced onion ring, and pickle slices on a Hot Nashville chicken sandwich.

More Slow-Cooker Recipes

More Shredded Chicken Recipes

A hand holding a Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich in the air.

If you love this Slow Cooker Shredded Nashville Hot Chicken, be sure to leave a nice written review and 5-star rating!

Recipe

Slow Cooker Shredded Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches

By Michele @ Flavor Mosaic
5 from 1 vote
Sandwiches with tender shredded chicken smothered in a spicy Nashville hot sauce served over sandwich buns, with pickles and onions.
Nashville Shredded Hot Chicken Sandwich on a cutting board with a slow cooker, green beans, and fries in the background.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 5 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 318

Equipment

Ingredients

For The Chicken

Nashville Hot Chicken Sauce

Instructions 

  • Spray the body of a 6 or 8-quart slow cooker with cooking spray.
  • Add the chicken breasts to the bottom of the slow cooker.
  • Sprinkle the brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, and salt all over the chicken.
  • Add the slices of butter on top.
  • Cook for 5-6 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high.
  • Shred the chicken with two forks in the slow cooker and mix with the juices. Keep warm while you make the sauce.
  • In a small saucepot, add the butter, brown sugar, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
  • Place over medium heat and stir constantly so it doesn't burn, until it comes to a simmer. Take off the heat.
  • Add the chicken on top of bread of your choice and drizzle the sauce on top, serve immediately.
Tried this recipe?Please Rate this Recipe!

Notes

Oh The Sauce! – The shredded chicken itself is nicely flavored with a hint of heat, but the sauce is really the star.
Serve with pickle chips and white onion for a full Nashville hot experience.
Warm It Up! Once the sauce starts to cool, it will separate so you need to keep it warmed if you aren’t using it all at once. Just place it back on the stove and whisk until it comes back together.
Warm Sauce – Once the sauce starts to cool, it will separate, so you must keep it warm if you aren’t using it all at once. Just place it back on the stove and whisk until it comes back together.
On The Side – I love to have that Nashville hot sauce on the side, so you can add as much or as little of the spicy sauce as you’d like.

Nutrition

Calories: 318kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 118mg | Sodium: 428mg | Potassium: 451mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 611IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg

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Comments

  1. Beth says

    can I just add all of the sauce to the chicken and keep warm in the crock pot?

    Reply

    • Michele says

      Hi Beth,

      Yes, after you shred the chicken in the slow cooker, you can add the sauce and keep it warm.

      Thanks,

      Michele

      Reply
5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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