Nashville Hot Chicken Week 2026: A Few Spots We Tried
Hot Chicken Week is one of those Nashville things that tends to show up every January and get people out of the house, even when the weather isn’t exactly cooperating.
This year, winter weather has changed the rhythm a lot, but Nashville Hot Chicken Week is still happening. The event runs from January 26 through February 1, and while some kickoff events were postponed because of the storm, plenty of restaurants are still participating. Some have adjusted hours, and others are extending specials depending on how the week unfolds.
In anticipation, we went out last week and tried a few classic hot chicken spots, and wanted to share what stood out and what the experience feels like right now if you’re thinking about heading out.
Our Nashville Hot Chicken Crawl
In this video, we stop at three well-known Nashville hot chicken spots, try multiple heat levels at each, and talk through what we liked, what surprised us, and which places brought the most heat.
Three Hot Chicken Spots We Tried
We stuck to places that are known specifically for hot chicken, not just restaurants with a spicy option on the menu. Each one had a very different personality.
Prince’s Hot Chicken at Assembly Food Hall
Prince’s is where Nashville hot chicken started back in the 1930s.
It’s classic hot chicken with real heat and a lot of history behind it. Being inside Assembly Food Hall also makes it an easy stop if you’re already downtown.
What stood out was how much flavor comes through even at the lower heat levels. You can work your way up without feeling like you’re missing anything.
Helen’s ended up being our favorite stop.
Everything is made fresh to order, which means a bit of a wait, but the chicken is incredibly juicy and the spice profile feels distinct from other spots.
The chicken and waffle combo really stood out too. Easily one of the better ones we’ve had in the city.
Bolton’s Spicy Chicken & Fish in East Nashville
Bolton’s brings the heat.
This was the hottest chicken we had all day, by a wide margin. The staff warned us, and they were right. The flavor is still there, but this is the place where heat is clearly the main event.
If you’re chasing spice, this one delivers.
A Great Way To Explore The City
One of the things we love about Hot Chicken Week is that it gets people moving around the city.
You end up in different neighborhoods, different pockets of town, and places you might not normally visit. For a lot of people, that’s part of the fun. It’s also how Nashville starts to feel familiar.
If this week has you thinking more about Nashville in general, neighborhoods, where people actually live, or what parts of the city might make sense for you long-term, that’s something we spend a lot of time helping people with.
Kayla and I help people find apartments in Nashville, and our service is 100% free! We work with hundreds of communities across the city and help people think through timing, location, and fit.
If that’s useful, reach out!
Final Thoughts
Hot Chicken Week looks a little different this year. If you’ve been dealing with power outages or no heat because of the storm, hope you’re getting back on your feet!
Whenever you’re able to get out, there’s still good food and plenty of reasons to explore the city.
