Can I make this without a griddle?

Yes. A large cast iron skillet on the stove works just as well, and it is what I would reach for at home. You can also use a nonstick pan in a pinch, though you will not get the same crust on the chicken or the roll. For air fryer: cook the seasoned chicken at 400 degrees F for 8 to 10 minutes, then fold in the cheese and chipotle in a hot skillet to finish. Toast the mayo-coated rolls in a pan separately.

How spicy is this sandwich?

It depends on your seasoning blend. Using my Nashville hot seasoning at the full quantity listed here, it is firmly hot but manageable for anyone who eats spicy food regularly. If you want to control the heat precisely, make the seasoning from scratch and reduce the cayenne. Using chipotle peppers adds a layer of smoky heat on top, so leave those out if you are already at your limit.

How is this different from the Denny's version?

The Denny's Nashville hot chicken melt uses Texas toast and a thick-cut piece of chicken. This version uses a hoagie roll, thinly sliced chicken that cooks and folds on the griddle, and a spicy mayo built from scratch with pickle brine and Nashville hot seasoning. The technique is also different: the mayo goes on the bread before it toasts, which builds a crust you do not get from the Denny's version. It is less of a diner plate and more of a sandwich you can actually replicate at home in 20 minutes.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breast?

Yes. Thighs bring more fat and a richer flavor, and they hold up well to the chopping and folding step on the griddle. The tradeoff is a slightly longer cook time and a softer texture in the finished sandwich. Slice them thin the same way you would the breast.

What is the difference between a Nashville hot chicken melt and a Nashville hot chicken sandwich?

A Nashville hot chicken sandwich is typically a full fried chicken breast or thigh on a bun, dressed with a spicy oil-based sauce. The melt skips the fryer. You are working with thinly sliced chicken seared on a griddle and mixed with melted cheese directly on the cooking surface, served on a toasted hoagie roll. Different texture, faster cook, no frying setup needed.

Nashville Hot Chicken Melt (Griddle Method)

Name: Nashville Hot Chicken Melt
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 pounds chicken breast, thinly sliced; 1 tablespoon oil; 1/4 cup Nashville Hot seasoning; 1/2 cup mayonnaise; 1 tablespoon pickle brine; 2 hoagie rolls; 1 tablespoon chopped chipotles (optional); 4 slices pepper jack cheese; Pickles for garnish

Ingredients

Scale

2 pounds chicken breast, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon oil
1/4 cup Nashville Hot seasoning
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon pickle brine
2 hoagie rolls
1 tablespoon chopped chipotles (optional)
4 slices pepper jack cheese
Pickles for garnish

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Instructions

Season the chicken. Add 1 tablespoon oil and 2 tablespoons of Nashville hot seasoning to the chicken in a bowl and toss to coat. For best results, let it marinate covered in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
Mix the spicy mayo. Combine the mayonnaise, pickle brine, and remaining 2 tablespoons of seasoning in a small bowl and whisk together. Taste and adjust. Spread a layer of the mayo on the inside of each hoagie roll before toasting.
Toast the rolls. Heat the griddle to medium and place the rolls face-down. Toast for 2 to 3 minutes until deeply golden. The mayo will darken from the chiles and sugar in the seasoning.
Sear the chicken. Add a tablespoon of oil to the hot griddle and spread the chicken out in a single layer. Let it sear on one side for about 2 minutes before flipping. Once nearly cooked through (around 160 degrees F), add the chipotle peppers and pepper jack cheese directly on top. Chop and fold everything together with a flat spatula until the cheese is fully melted and the chicken is cooked through.
Build the sandwich. Load the cheesy chicken onto the toasted rolls. Add pickles on top and spoon more spicy mayo over everything. Serve with extra seasoning on the side.

Notes

The bread gets dark during toasting from the chiles and sugar in the seasoning. That is normal and intentional. Pull the rolls when they have color and a firm crust, not before. That crust is what keeps the filling from making the bread soggy.

Author: Brad Prose
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Burgers & Sandwiches
Method: Griddle
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/2 Sandwich
Calories: 687
Sugar: 3.4 g
Sodium: 628.1 mg
Fat: 31.3 g
Carbohydrates: 16.3 g
Protein: 60.9 g
Cholesterol: 202 mg