Nashville Hot Chicken Skewers

Name: Nashville Hot Chicken Skewers
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cubed into 1-inch pieces; 2 tbsp cayenne pepper; 1 tbsp smoked paprika; 1 tsp ground mustard; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp salt; 1 tsp black pepper; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted; 1 tbsp honey; Ranch dressing, for serving; Dill pickle slices, for serving

Nashville hot chicken skewers are cubed, spice-coated chicken thighs grilled until crispy and served with cooling ranch and pickles. The cayenne-forward paste delivers authentic Nashville heat without requiring a deep fryer.

🌍American 🏷️Nashville hot chicken 🏷️Chicken skewers 🏷️Spicy chicken 🏷️Chicken recipe Game-day

🏷️

🏷️Appetizer

-0:00

jackiehartlaubonTikTok

Total

45 min

Servings

4

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$22–$36

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok · by jackiehartlaub

-0:00

jackiehartlaubonTikTok

Ingredients

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cubed into 1-inch pieces
2 tbsp cayenne pepper
1 tbsp smoked paprika
1 tsp ground mustard
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 tbsp honey
Ranch dressing, for servingoptional
Dill pickle slices, for servingoptional

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Instructions

1
Cube the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces.
2
In a bowl, combine cayenne pepper, ground mustard, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3
Pour the hot melted butter and honey over the dry spices.
4
Stir well until a smooth paste is formed.
5
Thread the cubed chicken onto wooden skewers.
6
Place the skewers on a baking sheet or air fryer tray and brush the Nashville hot paste evenly over all sides of the chicken.
7
Cook the skewers for 25-30 minutes, until cooked through and crispy on the outside. (The creator uses an air fryer).
8
Serve hot with ranch dressing and pickle slices for dipping.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into uniform 1-inch cubes so they cook evenly on the skewer.
Don't skip the honey in the spice paste—it balances cayenne heat and promotes browning and caramelization.
Thread chicken pieces snugly but not overlapping; loose spacing ensures even heat exposure and crispiness.
Let coated skewers rest at room temperature for 10 minutes before cooking so the spice paste adheres and sets.

Substitutions

Smoked paprika → regular paprika (removes smokiness but maintains color and mild spice)
Unsalted butter → ghee or avocado oil (for higher smoke point on the grill)
Honey → maple syrup or agave nectar (equal swap for sweetness and browning)

Storage & make-ahead

Store cooked skewers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat in a 350°F oven for 8–10 minutes until warmed through.

Equipment

skewers (metal or wooden, soaked if wooden)

Common Questions

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

You can, but thighs stay juicier on skewers. If using breasts, cut them slightly thicker and watch closely to avoid drying out.

How spicy are these Nashville hot chicken skewers?

Two tablespoons of cayenne is moderately hot. Reduce to 1 tbsp for mild heat, or add up to 3 tbsp for extra Nashville-style punch.

Can I make the spice paste ahead of time?

Yes. Mix the cayenne, paprika, mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper up to 1 day ahead. Stir in melted butter and honey just before coating chicken.