LILLIE'S Q: Hot Chicken Nashville Hot Seasoning – 161g

Nashville heat, straight from the shaker

Lillie's Q Hot Chicken Seasoning is a spicy Nashville hot chicken seasoning from Chef Charlie McKenna's Chicago barbecue brand, made for fried chicken, wings and Nashville hot oil. Use it straight on chicken as a rub, add it to flour for a spicy fried chicken batter, or mix it with hot lard or oil to brush over fried chicken the traditional Nashville way.

The flavour

Front is salt and paprika, the middle brings garlic and onion, and it finishes with a proper spice heat that builds the more you eat.

How to cook with it

• Whisk into hot frying oil or melted lard and brush over fried chicken while the crust is still crackling
• Add to plain flour for a spicy fried chicken dredge
• Rub straight onto chicken wings or thighs before smoking or air-frying
• Dust over hot chips for a spicy kick
• Rogue move: shake over popcorn for a hot-chicken-inspired snack

In the shaker

Fine grind with a deep red-orange colour — turns into a glossy, brick-red hot oil when whisked into fat.

Ingredients & Dietary

Ingredients: Salt, paprika, garlic, spices, onion, extractives of paprika (color) and not more than 2% tricalcium phosphate added to prevent caking.

Dietary: Vegan and all natural per the Australian distributor; made with gluten-free ingredients but not gluten-free certified. Allergens — always check the physical label.

Questions answered

How hot is Lillie's Q Hot Chicken Seasoning? Lillie's Q calls it true Nashville hot. We rate it 6 out of 11 on our Sting Gauge — properly hot, but built for flavour.

How do I make Nashville hot chicken with it? Mix the seasoning with hot lard or frying oil and brush it over freshly fried chicken, or add it to flour for a spicy batter.

Is it gluten free? It's made with gluten-free ingredients, but it isn't gluten-free certified. It's also vegan.

The Rub Smuggler's Verdict

Paprika, garlic and a proper heat that builds — Nashville in a shaker. Fry chicken in Meat Church Chicken Fried Steak Breading, whisk this through hot oil and paint it on while the crust is still crackling. White bread underneath, Acide Bread and Butter Zucchini Pickles on top. Keep a cold drink handy, because you'll want it.