Nashville Hot Chicken Recipe - Chili Pepper Madness

Ingredients

• 1 cup pickle juice (or use the brine from pickled peppers, or both)
• 1/2 cup pickle slices
• ½ cup pickled peppers
• ½ cup water (enough to cover the chicken)
• 3 tablespoons salt
• 2-3 fresh spicy peppers (sliced (optional, for extra heat – I used a couple habanero peppers))
• 4 pounds bone-in chicken (use chicken breasts, wings, thighs, whatever combination you like)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 3 cups buttermilk
• 3 large eggs (beaten)
• 2 tablespoons hot sauce
• 2 cups flour (all-purpose)
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 1 tablespoon cayenne
• 4 cups vegetable oil (or use peanut or canola, for frying)
• 4 tablespoons cayenne
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon ghost pepper flakes or powder (optional, for an extra hot and spicy version!)
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• FOR SERVING: Pickled slices (white bread)