Grilled Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich with Pickled Slaw

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-22 · Updated 2026-06-22

A spicy grilled chicken sandwich inspired by Nashville’s famous hot chicken, topped with tangy pickled slaw for a perfect balance of heat and crunch. This American-inspired sandwich and wrap recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 2 pieces, about 6 oz each boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tbsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup thinly shredded green cabbage
• 1 small, julienned carrot
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
• 2 hamburger buns
• 4 slices pickles

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 2 tbsp cayenne pepper, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp brown sugar, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to create the spicy rub. Rub evenly over 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill the chicken breasts for 5-6 minutes per side until fully cooked and nicely charred on the outside.
3. Step 3: While the chicken cooks, mix 1 cup thinly shredded green cabbage, 1 small julienned carrot, and 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion in a bowl. Add 1/4 cup mayonnaise and 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, tossing to coat the slaw evenly.
4. Step 4: Toast 2 hamburger buns lightly on the grill for 1-2 minutes until golden.
5. Step 5: Assemble each sandwich by spreading a generous layer of pickled slaw on the bottom bun, placing the grilled chicken breast on top, adding 2 pickle slices, and finishing with the top bun.