Nashville Hot Pepper Jelly Chicken Poppers Recipe
If you’re craving a snack that packs a punch of sweet heat and crispy goodness, the Nashville Hot Pepper Jelly Chicken Poppers Recipe is your new best friend. These bite-sized chicken pieces are perfectly fried to golden perfection, then tossed in a sticky, spicy glaze that balances the fiery kick of red pepper flakes with the fruity sweetness of pepper jelly. Each popper bursts with flavor and texture, making them impossible to resist whether you’re serving them at a party or enjoying a cozy night in. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it will quickly climb to the top of your go-to comfort foods!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses straightforward ingredients that come together beautifully to create a harmonious balance of flavor, heat, and crunch. Each component plays a crucial role, from the tender chicken pieces to the zingy glaze that wraps every bite in delicious complexity.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: The perfect lean protein base, cut into bite-sized pieces for easy popping.
- All-purpose flour: Builds a crispy, golden coating that locks in juiciness.
- Salt: Enhances every flavor note in the chicken and glaze.
- Black pepper: Adds a subtle heat and aromatic edge.
- Paprika: Provides a mild smokiness and beautiful color.
- Garlic powder: Infuses a savory depth without overpowering.
- Onion powder: Rounds out the seasoning with gentle sweetness.
- Buttermilk: Tenderizes the chicken and helps the flour mixture adhere.
- Vegetable oil: Essential for frying to crisp perfection.
- Pepper jelly: The star of the glaze, delivering sweet heat in every spoonful.
- Apple cider vinegar: Cuts through the sweetness with tangy brightness.
- Brown sugar: Balances the heat of the pepper flakes with rich caramel notes.
- Red pepper flakes: Add that signature Nashville spicy kick; adjust to your heat preference.
- Fresh parsley: Optional garnish that brightens the dish with color and freshness.
- Sesame seeds: Sprinkle on top for a nutty crunch and visual appeal.
How to Make Nashville Hot Pepper Jelly Chicken Poppers Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the seasoning mixture and chicken
Start by mixing together the all-purpose flour with salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder in a large bowl. This flavorful blend is what gives your chicken poppers their irresistible crispy coating. Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces for easy frying and then dunk each piece into buttermilk. This not only tenderizes the chicken but also helps the flour seasoning stick beautifully.
Step 2: Coat the chicken pieces
Dip every chicken piece thoroughly into the seasoned flour mixture after the buttermilk bath. Make sure each piece is evenly coated, then shake off any excess flour to prevent clumping. This ensures a perfect, light crust.
Step 3: Fry to golden crispiness
Heat about an inch of vegetable oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, carefully add the chicken pieces in batches—crowding the pan will lower the temperature and lead to soggy results. Fry for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side until the chicken turns golden brown and crisp. Drain the cooked poppers on paper towels to remove extra oil.
Step 4: Make the Nashville hot pepper jelly glaze
While the chicken is frying, combine the pepper jelly, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, red pepper flakes, and salt in a small saucepan. Warm the mixture over medium heat, stirring often until the sugar dissolves and the glaze becomes smooth and luscious. This glaze is the magic that transforms simple fried chicken into a crave-worthy sensation.
Step 5: Toss chicken poppers in the glaze
Once your chicken poppers are crispy and drained, quickly toss them in the warm pepper jelly glaze. Make sure each bite-sized piece is coated evenly so you get that perfect balance of heat, sweet, and tang in every mouthful.
How to Serve Nashville Hot Pepper Jelly Chicken Poppers Recipe
Garnishes
Nothing says “finished dish” quite like a fresh sprinkle of parsley and a scattering of toasted sesame seeds. The parsley adds a pop of green and freshness that brightens this rich appetizer, while the sesame seeds bring an extra layer of texture and nutty flavor you won’t want to miss.
Side Dishes
Pair your Nashville Hot Pepper Jelly Chicken Poppers with crunchy celery sticks or a cool ranch dip to temper the heat. For something heartier, a side of creamy coleslaw or garlic mashed potatoes offers a delicious balance to the bold flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
Serving these poppers on a large platter lined with parchment paper makes for a casual, inviting presentation perfect for sharing. You can also skew them with toothpicks for easy party finger food or pile them onto sliders for a fun twist on a classic sandwich experience.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftovers, store the chicken poppers and glaze separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. This keeps the coating crisp and prevents it from sogging overnight.
Freezing
These chicken poppers freeze well if you want to prepare in advance. Freeze the fried chicken pieces on a baking sheet before transferring them to a freezer bag. Keep the glaze refrigerated and toss chicken in the glaze after reheating.
Reheating
For the best texture, reheat the chicken poppers in a hot oven or air fryer to bring back their crispiness before tossing with the glaze. Microwaving tends to make the coating soggy, so avoid that when you can.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs tend to be juicier and can add a richer flavor to your poppers. Just adjust frying time as needed and cut them into similar-sized pieces to ensure even cooking.
How spicy is the Nashville Hot Pepper Jelly Chicken Poppers Recipe?
The spice level is medium, thanks to the combo of red pepper flakes and pepper jelly heat. You can easily adjust the heat intensity by reducing or increasing the amount of red pepper flakes used in the glaze.
Is there a way to make these poppers gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to keep the crispy coating gluten-free. Just be sure the blend you choose fries up nicely and adds the same crunch.
Can I bake the chicken poppers instead of frying?
If you prefer a lighter version, you can bake them at 400°F (204°C) on a wire rack over a baking sheet for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. The texture will be less crispy but still delicious when coated with the glaze.
What can I substitute for pepper jelly in the glaze?
If you don’t have pepper jelly, you can use a combination of sweet jelly (like grape or apricot) mixed with a little hot sauce or finely minced fresh peppers to mimic the sweet-spicy profile.
Final Thoughts
There’s something utterly joyful about serving up a batch of Nashville Hot Pepper Jelly Chicken Poppers Recipe. The way the crispy chicken bites mingle with that glossy, spicy-sweet glaze creates a flavor experience you’ll want to revisit again and again. Whether it’s game day, a casual get-together, or simply when you need a delicious mood boost, this recipe delivers a fun, flavorful punch that’s easy to make and impossible to resist. Give it a try—you’ll thank me later!
Print
Nashville Hot Pepper Jelly Chicken Poppers Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Nashville Hot Pepper Jelly Chicken Poppers are crispy, bite-sized fried chicken pieces coated in a spicy, sweet, and tangy pepper jelly glaze. Perfect as a flavorful appetizer or snack, these poppers combine Southern-inspired heat with a unique pepper jelly twist, garnished with fresh parsley and sesame seeds for an extra touch of color and crunch.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Poppers:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 cup buttermilk
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
For the Nashville Hot Pepper Jelly Glaze:
- 1/2 cup pepper jelly
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 tsp salt
For the Garnish (Optional):
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken Poppers: In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. This seasoned flour mixture will add flavor and crispiness to the chicken.
- Coat the Chicken: Dip the bite-sized chicken pieces into the buttermilk, then dredge them in the seasoned flour mixture. Ensure each piece is evenly coated, and shake off any excess flour to prevent clumping.
- Heat the Oil: Pour about 1 inch of vegetable oil into a large skillet and heat over medium-high heat until shimmering and hot, ideal for frying.
- Fry the Chicken Poppers: Fry the chicken pieces in batches, avoiding overcrowding, for 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until golden brown and crispy. Once cooked, remove them with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Make the Glaze: In a small saucepan, combine the pepper jelly, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, red pepper flakes, and salt. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves completely and the glaze becomes smooth and slightly thickened.
- Coat the Chicken with Glaze: Place the fried chicken poppers in a large bowl, pour the warm Nashville hot pepper jelly glaze over them, and toss until each piece is evenly coated with the spicy, sweet glaze.
- Serve: Transfer the coated chicken poppers to a serving platter. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for added freshness and texture. Serve immediately while hot and crispy.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes in the glaze to control the heat level to your liking.
- Use a thermometer to ensure the oil is at about 350°F for optimal frying results.
- For a lower-fat option, you can bake the chicken pieces, but frying gives the best crispy texture.
- This recipe can be doubled for larger gatherings, just fry the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat in a hot oven to maintain crispiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Southern American
