The Guide
Nashville Hot Chicken Heat Levels Explained (Scoville Guide)
How hot is Nashville hot chicken? A plain-English guide to the Scoville scale and our four heat levels — from no-heat Southern to the 2M+ SHU Carolina Reaper.
First, the Scoville scale
Chilli heat is measured in Scoville Heat Units (SHU)— essentially how much capsaicin (the compound that makes chillies hot) a pepper contains. The higher the number, the bigger the burn. Here's a quick reference so the numbers below mean something:
- Jalapeño: ~5,000 SHU
- Cayenne pepper: ~30,000–50,000 SHU
- Habanero: ~100,000–350,000 SHU
- Carolina Reaper: ~1.6M–2.2M SHU
Our four heat levels
Every piece of chicken we make can be ordered at any of these four levels. The heat comes from the post-fry spice paste, so it's the same great chicken underneath — you're just choosing how much fire rides on top.
Southern · No Heat
For those that like fried chicken country style, just a dash of Chicken Salt.
Nash — Signature · Medium Heat
Our Signature selection and where everyone should start — slightly sweet, slightly spicy — the perfect balance!
Hot · Feeling Brave?
If you're feeling brave, this one steps up the heat with added chilli!
Reaper · 2M+ SHU
If you're feeling silly! We're not joking, this has raw Carolina Reaper and will make you question your life choices!
How far does the Reaper really go?
The Reaper isn't a marketing gimmick. We use raw Carolina Reaper, which held the Guinness World Record as the hottest chilli on earth, at over 2 million SHU — that's roughly 400 times hotter than a jalapeño. It's genuinely difficult to finish, which is exactly the point. If you reckon you're up for it, read the full rundown on the Reaper Challenge page — waiver, experience and bragging rights included.
Picking your level
New to Nashville hot chicken? Start on Nash, our Signature. Want to understand the dish itself first? Read what Nashville hot chicken actually is. Ready to order? Pick your heat on the menu.
Frequently Asked Questions
How hot is Nashville hot chicken?
It depends entirely on the spice paste. At Super Nash Brothers it ranges from our no-heat Southern (just chicken salt) up to the Reaper at over 2 million Scoville Heat Units — among the hottest fried chicken in Australia. Most people land happily on our Signature Nash level.
What is the Scoville scale?
The Scoville scale measures the heat (capsaicin concentration) of chillies in Scoville Heat Units (SHU). A jalapeño sits around 5,000 SHU, cayenne around 30,000–50,000 SHU, and the Carolina Reaper averages about 1.6 million SHU, peaking above 2.2 million.
Is Carolina Reaper chicken available in Australia?
Yes — Super Nash Brothers serves a Reaper heat level using raw Carolina Reaper at 2M+ SHU across our Sydney stores. The full Reaper Challenge is a dine-in experience and requires signing a waiver.
Which heat level should a beginner order?
Start with Nash, our Signature level — it's the sweet-and-spicy balance point most people love. From there you can climb to Hot, and eventually the Reaper if you're feeling brave.
Hungry now?
Three Sydney stores, four heat levels, hand-breaded and cooked to order. Order online or come say hi.