While evidence exists to suggest that spicy fried chicken had been served among Tennessee’s African American communities for generations, the dish as it exists today has an origin story dating back to the Great Depression. Thorton Prince has a reputation as a ladies’ man, and in an act of revenge, his scorned girlfriend served him fried chicken – his favorite – loaded up with peppers and spices. The prank didn’t have the desired effect; instead Prince loved it and decided to open Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack. Over the past several years, this quintessential Nashville dish has skyrocketed in popularity across the nation. But who makes it best?
The top 10 winners in the category Best Hot Chicken in Tennessee are as follows:
- Hattie B's Hot Chicken - Nashville & Memphis
- Party Fowl - Multiple Locations
- Prince's Hot Chicken - Nashville
- Myrtle's Chicken + Beer - Knoxville
- Slow Burn Hot Chicken - Madison
- Jackie's Dream - Knoxville
- 400 Degrees - Nashville
- Deezie's Hot Chicken - Murfreesboro
- Big Shake's Hot Chicken & Fish - Franklin
- Dino's - Nashville
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.
Congratulations to all these winning restaurants!
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The Experts
Jason Frye
Jason Frye is a travel and food writer and the... Read More
Jason Frye is a travel and food writer and the author of Moon North Carolina, Moon Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trip and Moon Great Smoky Mountains National Park. He writes for Dallas Morning News, Cruise Critic, Coastal Living and DK Travel, among others. Follow his adventures on Instagram.
Jason Frye
Jason Frye is a travel and food writer and the author of Moon North Carolina, Moon Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trip and Moon Great Smoky Mountains National Park. He writes for Dallas Morning News, Cruise Critic, Coastal Living and DK Travel, among others. Follow his adventures on Instagram.
Margaret Littman
Journalist Margaret Littman is a both a relative... Read More
Journalist Margaret Littman is a both a relative newcomer to Nashville as well as an old-timer, having returned to what once was her college town as an adult. She is the author of many guidebooks, including Moon Tennessee, Moon Nashville and Moon Nashville to New Orleans Road Trip. Her work appears in Nashville Lifestyles, the Nashville Scene, PUNCH and other publications. Since moving to Music City she has acquired a 1967 Ford pickup and a lot of pairs of cowboy boots, but still not the ability to carry a tune. In her free time, she's working her way through paddling in all 50 states.
Margaret Littman
Journalist Margaret Littman is a both a relative newcomer to Nashville as well as an old-timer, having returned to what once was her college town as an adult. She is the author of many guidebooks, including Moon Tennessee, Moon Nashville and Moon Nashville to New Orleans Road Trip. Her work appears in Nashville Lifestyles, the Nashville Scene, PUNCH and other publications. Since moving to Music City she has acquired a 1967 Ford pickup and a lot of pairs of cowboy boots, but still not the ability to carry a tune. In her free time, she's working her way through paddling in all 50 states.
Kristin Luna
Kristin Luna is a Nashville-based travel writer... Read More
Kristin Luna is a Nashville-based travel writer who has contributed to Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, USA TODAY, Southern Living and many more. You can follow her adventures via her blog Camels & Chocolate or on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Kristin Luna
Kristin Luna is a Nashville-based travel writer who has contributed to Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, USA TODAY, Southern Living and many more. You can follow her adventures via her blog Camels & Chocolate or on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Shawanda Mason-Moore
Shawanda Mason-Moore is the writer behind the... Read More
Shawanda Mason-Moore is the writer behind the blog, Eat.Drink.Frolic. who's obsessed with Chrissy Teigen, pineapples and fancy cocktails. She's the co-founder of the Tennessee nonprofit, The Chattery, and the founder of a quarterly brunch series for creative women entrepreneurs called, The Brunch Collective. When she's not experimenting with new food or drink recipes, you can find her watching reruns of Golden Girls.
Shawanda Mason-Moore
Shawanda Mason-Moore is the writer behind the blog, Eat.Drink.Frolic. who's obsessed with Chrissy Teigen, pineapples and fancy cocktails. She's the co-founder of the Tennessee nonprofit, The Chattery, and the founder of a quarterly brunch series for creative women entrepreneurs called, The Brunch Collective. When she's not experimenting with new food or drink recipes, you can find her watching reruns of Golden Girls.
Sally Walker Davies
Sally Walker Davies is enchanted by Memphis'... Read More
Sally Walker Davies is enchanted by Memphis' music, history, and characters. From the artsy South Main Historic District to the grittiness of her favorite live music clubs to the sophisticated style of the eastern edge of the city, there’s a Memphis for every mood, and she loves every part of it. Walker Davies is an experienced broadcast, print, and online journalist focusing on travel. Her work has appeared the Commercial Appeal, AOL Travel, BudgetTravel.com, and The Tennessean. She is the author of Tennessee: An Explorer’s Guide.
Sally Walker Davies
Sally Walker Davies is enchanted by Memphis' music, history, and characters. From the artsy South Main Historic District to the grittiness of her favorite live music clubs to the sophisticated style of the eastern edge of the city, there’s a Memphis for every mood, and she loves every part of it. Walker Davies is an experienced broadcast, print, and online journalist focusing on travel. Her work has appeared the Commercial Appeal, AOL Travel, BudgetTravel.com, and The Tennessean. She is the author of Tennessee: An Explorer’s Guide.