Get ready to fall in love with Nashville Hot Pepper Jelly Chicken Poppers—a spicy, sweet, and utterly addictive twist on classic Southern fried chicken. These bite-sized beauties are the party starter you didn’t know you needed, with crispy golden chicken dunked in a luscious glaze of pepper jelly and hot sauce. Whether you serve them as a crave-worthy appetizer, the star of your next brunch, or a fun main dish, Nashville Hot Pepper Jelly Chicken Poppers take tastebuds on a bold, unforgettable ride that’s packed with Southern flair and a little kick in every bite.

Nashville Hot Pepper Jelly Chicken Poppers Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Nashville Hot Pepper Jelly Chicken Poppers lies in their simple pantry staples that pack a punch of flavor. Each ingredient plays a unique role, creating that perfect harmony of heat, crunch, and sweetness you’ll crave again and again.

Chicken breast: Boneless, skinless and cut into poppable little cubes—perfect for even cooking and juicy bites.
Buttermilk: Tenderizes the chicken and infuses every morsel with tanginess before frying.
All-purpose flour: The foundation for that irresistible crunchy coating.
Smoked paprika: Adds a subtle smokiness that deepens the flavor profile.
Garlic powder: For a savory punch that complements both the sweet and spicy elements.
Cayenne pepper: This brings just the right level of fiery heat—adjust more or less to suit your crowd.
Salt: Essential for seasoning both the chicken and the flour, ensuring the flavors pop.
Black pepper: Adds an earthy kick to round out the spices.
Vegetable oil: Neutral-flavored and perfect for deep frying to golden perfection.
Pepper jelly: The secret ingredient for a glossy, sticky-sweet glaze with a gentle tingle.
Hot sauce: Gives the glaze its signature Nashville heat—feel free to use your favorite variety.
Unsalted butter: Melds the sauce into a smooth, silky finish and adds a little richness.
Fresh parsley (optional): Sprinkled on top for a pop of color and freshness—totally optional, but gorgeous!

How to Make Nashville Hot Pepper Jelly Chicken Poppers

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

Start by tossing your chicken cubes into a mixing bowl and pouring over the buttermilk. This creamy soak transforms tubed chicken into tender, flavorful bites. Give it at least 30 minutes in the fridge—overnight if you’re feeling patient—for the most luscious texture.

Step 2: Mix Up the Seasoned Flour

While your chicken lounges in its buttermilk bath, combine all-purpose flour, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cayenne, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. This powerhouse blend ensures every popper delivers that craveable crunch and bold, balanced flavor.

Step 3: Dredge the Chicken

Lift each marinated chicken piece from the buttermilk, letting any excess drip off, then roll it generously in the seasoned flour. Give every cube a good coating for maximum crispiness—this stage is where the magic starts!

Step 4: Fry Until Golden

Pour enough vegetable oil into a deep skillet or Dutch oven to total about two inches, then heat to 350°F (175°C). Fry the chicken pieces in batches (don’t overcrowd the pan!) for 4 to 5 minutes, flipping as needed, until they’re gorgeously golden and cooked through. Set the fried poppers on a paper-towel-lined plate to catch any extra oil.

Step 5: Make the Pepper Jelly Sauce

While the poppers are working their crispy magic, combine pepper jelly, hot sauce, and butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir constantly until the mixture is smooth and glossy—the scent alone will have you counting the seconds until sauce meets chicken!

Step 6: Toss and Serve

In a big bowl, gently toss the hot poppers with your pepper jelly sauce until each piece glistens. Finish with a scatter of chopped fresh parsley if you like. These are at their absolute best served immediately, while the crust is still shatteringly crisp and the sauce finger-licking sticky.

How to Serve Nashville Hot Pepper Jelly Chicken Poppers

Garnishes

For a burst of color and a hint of freshness, sprinkle your Nashville Hot Pepper Jelly Chicken Poppers with chopped fresh parsley. A shower of finely sliced green onions or even a pop of thinly sliced red chili can turn your platter into a showstopper. If bringing extra Southern flair, try a few bread-and-butter pickle chips on the side!

Side Dishes

These chicken poppers adore classic Southern sidekicks. Think fluffy buttermilk biscuits, a crisp green salad, or creamy coleslaw. If you want to go bold, serve them next to sweet corn pudding or even over cinnamon-dusted waffles for an outrageous brunch.

Creative Ways to Present

Stack your Nashville Hot Pepper Jelly Chicken Poppers in a pyramid on a big board for party-style snacking, thread them onto skewers for easy grabbing, or nestle them into lettuce cups for a lighter, hand-held twist. For brunch, pile the poppers over a waffle, then drizzle with extra pepper jelly glaze—it’s a conversation starter every time.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you somehow have leftovers, store your chicken poppers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The coating might lose some crispness, but the flavors just keep getting better as they meld together.

Freezing

Freeze cooled, unsauced poppers in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 2 months. When ready to serve, bake straight from frozen and toss with freshly made sauce for that just-cooked taste.

Reheating

Pop leftover chicken in a 375°F (190°C) oven for 10–12 minutes until piping hot and crispy again. If you froze your poppers, reheat a little longer. Add the pepper jelly sauce after reheating for the best texture.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast?

Definitely! Chicken thighs are juicy and flavorful, and hold up beautifully to frying. Just make sure to cut them into even pieces so everything cooks at the same rate.

Is it possible to bake these chicken poppers instead of frying?

Yes! Arrange dredged chicken on an oiled rack over a baking sheet, spritz with oil, and bake at 425°F (220°C) for about 18–22 minutes or until crispy and cooked through. They won’t be quite as shatteringly crispy, but the flavor is still fantastic.

How spicy are Nashville Hot Pepper Jelly Chicken Poppers?

They definitely have a kick, but the sweetness from the pepper jelly keeps the heat in check. You can adjust the hot sauce and cayenne to suit your spice level, or opt for a milder pepper jelly if you’re especially sensitive to spice.

Can I make the sauce ahead of time?

Absolutely! Simply combine pepper jelly, hot sauce, and butter on the stove, then cool and store in the fridge for up to a week. Rewarm gently before tossing with freshly fried (or reheated) poppers.

What’s the best hot sauce to use?

Go with your favorite! A classic cayenne-based Louisiana sauce works perfectly, or you can play around with smoky chipotle, tangy vinegar-based sauces, or even a dash of sriracha for an international twist.

Final Thoughts

If you crave bold flavor and love a dish that’s just as fun to eat as it is to share, you absolutely have to try Nashville Hot Pepper Jelly Chicken Poppers. Invite your friends, grab plenty of napkins, and watch these spicy-sweet bites vanish in a flash. Your next craving has officially arrived!

Nashville Hot Pepper Jelly Chicken Poppers Recipe

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4.7 from 24 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 30 minutes plus marinating time
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

These Nashville Hot Pepper Jelly Chicken Poppers are a perfect blend of sweet and spicy, featuring crispy fried chicken coated in a tangy pepper jelly sauce. They make a fantastic appetizer or main course that will have your taste buds dancing with flavor!

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the Sauce:

1/2 cup pepper jelly
2 tablespoons hot sauce
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

For Frying and Garnish:

Vegetable oil for frying
Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

Marinate the Chicken: Place chicken pieces in a bowl and cover with buttermilk. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (up to 4 hours).
Prepare the Coating: In another bowl, mix flour, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cayenne, salt, and black pepper.
Fry the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet to 350°F. Dredge chicken in seasoned flour and fry in batches until golden and cooked through.
Make the Sauce: Heat pepper jelly, hot sauce, and butter in a saucepan until smooth.
Coat the Chicken: Toss fried chicken in the sauce until well coated.
Serve: Garnish with parsley if desired and serve immediately.