nice and

• IPA^(key): /ˈnaɪsənd/

nice and (not comparable)

1. (degree) Pleasingly; adequately.

   Coordinate terms: good and; all too

   The pie came out of the oven nice and hot.

   Everything they're doing is nice and legal, thanks to the tireless work of their lobbyists. [​sarcastic tone of approval]

   • 1997 March, Jonathan Dorn, “Boots for little feet”, in Backpacker, volume 25, number 2, page 212:

     so be sure to lace their boots up nice and tight for maximum ankle support.

   • 1996, Arlen Roth, Hot guitar:

     Keep those bass notes nice and steady, and you'll be in good shape.

• Precedes an adjective or adverb.
• Pronouncing "and" with a full vowel would probably lead to the inference that "nice" was an independent adjective