Dave’s Hot Chicken Spice Levels
Last updated: September 2026
Dave’s Hot Chicken offers seven different spice levels, starting from No Spice and progressing all the way to Reaper. Customizable heat is one of the main features of the menu, so you can dial your order in exactly how you like it.
Explore the Spice Levels
Dave’s Hot Chicken Spice Levels
No Spice
Good for kids and those who prefer to avoid the heat entirely. A kid-friendly, mild-list option.
Lite Mild
A good option for those who want to avoid heavy heat but still enjoy a light touch of warmth.
Mild
For those who want a little bit of heat but want to avoid an intense level. Still comfortable for most people.
Medium
A popular choice for people who love spicy food and want a bit more heat than Mild.
Hot
A great option for those who want to add real heat to their food.
Extra Hot
A good choice for experienced heat-seekers.
Reaper
A big challenge for spice lovers. It contains Carolina Reaper powder, so a waiver must be signed before ordering.
Dave’s Hot Chicken Spice Levels Chart
| Level | Heat Rank | What to Expect | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| No Spice | 1 of 7 | No heat at all, just the crispy breading and marinade | Kids, or anyone who avoids spice |
| Lite Mild | 2 of 7 | A light warmth you barely notice | People easing into spice |
| Mild | 3 of 7 | Noticeable heat that stays comfortable | People who eat a little spice now and then |
| Medium | 4 of 7 | Real heat that lingers, but you can still taste the chicken | Regular spicy-food eaters |
| Hot | 5 of 7 | Strong, lasting heat that sends you reaching for a drink | People who seek out spicy food |
| Extra Hot | 6 of 7 | Very strong heat that builds with every bite | Experienced heat-seekers |
| Reaper | 7 of 7 | Carolina Reaper powder, and a signed waiver is required | Only people with real extreme-heat experience |
Each step is hotter than the one before, and the heat builds as you eat. A level that feels fine on the first bite can feel a lot stronger by the end of the meal.
How Spicy Is the Reaper?
The Reaper level is very hot, and Dave’s doesn’t publish a Scoville rating for it. The Carolina Reaper pepper itself is commonly rated around 1.6 to 2 million Scoville Heat Units.
Do You Have to Be a Certain Age to Order Reaper?
Dave’s doesn’t publish a minimum age for Reaper, but you have to sign a waiver before it’s served. Ask your local store about its policy for kids.
How Hot Is Dave’s Hot Chicken?
It depends on the level you order. No Spice has no heat at all, while Reaper sits at the far end and needs a signed waiver first. Everything in between is a step up from the last one, so a jump from Medium to Extra Hot is bigger than it sounds. If you’re curious how it feels at the top of the scale, our Reaper Challenge guide covers what to expect.
Does Dave’s Publish Scoville Ratings?
Scoville numbers get quoted a lot online, but as far as we can tell Dave’s doesn’t list a Scoville rating for each level on its menu. The Reaper figure above is the one that gets mentioned most. For the other levels, any Scoville chart you come across is an estimate, so it’s more useful to think of the seven levels as a ladder, where each step is hotter than the one before it.
Scoville Scale: How Common Peppers Compare
To put the Scoville scale in context, here are typical ranges for some familiar peppers. These are general figures, not Dave’s ratings, and they vary by source and growing conditions.
| Pepper | Typical Scoville range (SHU) |
|---|---|
| Bell pepper | 0 |
| Jalapeño | 2,500 – 8,000 |
| Cayenne | 30,000 – 50,000 |
| Habanero | 100,000 – 350,000 |
| Carolina Reaper | 1.4 – 2.2 million |
Which Dave’s Hot Chicken Spice Level Should You Choose?
First-Time Visitor? Start With Medium
For a first order, try Combo #3 at Medium spice. If it feels too mild, increase the heat next time. Not sure which heat level fits your taste? See the chart above and the tips below, or read our first-visit guide.
Tips for Choosing Your Spice Level
- Base it on the spiciest food you eat regularly, not the hottest thing you’ve ever survived.
- If you’re unsure, go one level lower than you think. It’s easy to go hotter next time.
- Don’t copy your friends’ order. Their tolerance isn’t yours.
- Ordering cauliflower? It tends to hold spice more intensely than chicken, so consider dropping one level.
- Hotter isn’t better. The right level is the one you’ll actually enjoy eating.
Can You Choose Different Spice Levels in One Order?
Yes, you can order different spice levels within the same multi-tender or family-style order at Dave’s Hot Chicken — a useful option for groups and families.
Is No Spice Good for Kids?
Yes, No Spice is a good choice for kids because it has zero heat.
Can You Change Your Spice Level After Ordering?
You pick the spice level when you order, whether that’s in the store, in the app, or through a delivery app, and you can set it separately for each item. Whether a store can change it after the order is placed depends on the location, so ask the staff right away if you need a change. For Reaper, the waiver has to be signed before it’s served.
Does the Spice Level Change Calories?
Yes, the spice level changes the calorie count by a small amount. On Dave’s own chart, Mild through Reaper items run about 30 to 120 calories higher than the No Spice–Lite versions, depending on the item.
What Should You Drink to Cool Down the Spice?
A milkshake, available in chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry, is a good way to cool down.
Is Everything at Dave’s Hot Chicken Spicy?
No. You choose the heat for the chicken and cauliflower items, and No Spice has no heat at all. Sides like mac and cheese and kale slaw aren’t made at a spice level.
How Hot Is Medium at Dave’s?
Medium is where Dave’s starts to feel properly spicy. The heat lingers through the meal, but most people who eat spicy food regularly find it enjoyable, and you can still taste the marinade and breading.
Is Reaper Much Hotter Than Extra Hot?
Yes. Reaper is a big jump above Extra Hot, not a small step. It’s meant for people with real experience eating extreme heat, which is why Dave’s asks for a waiver first.
Which Chicken Items Use the Spice Levels?
Chicken Tenders
Jumbo chicken tenders can be ordered anywhere from No Spice to Reaper, letting you fully control the heat.
Chicken Sliders
Chicken sliders also range across the full spice scale, from No Spice all the way up to Reaper.
Choose Your Heat Before You Order
The main choice is not only what you order but also how spicy you want it, from No Spice to Reaper.
View Full Menu →Ready to Choose Your Spice Level?
Choose your preferred heat level from No Spice through Reaper, then explore the menu to find your chicken, sides and other options.
Eyeing the hottest level? Read our Reaper challenge: what to expect guide before you order.
Curious how the sauces pair with each heat level, or how Dave’s stacks up against other hot chicken chains? Check out our sauces guide, browse the catering menu for group orders, or see how Dave’s compares in our Dave’s vs Popeyes vs Raising Cane’s breakdown.