Chicken sandwich wars are heating up see who’s announced new sandwiches

The chicken sandwich wars are heating up once again and they’re not simmering down anytime soon. Since a video went viral in 2019 showcasing the tastiness of Popeye’s fried chicken sandwich things just haven’t been the same.  Meant to be a limited item, but thanks to social media their chicken sandwiches especially the spicy version was selling out faster than hotcakes.

Confronted with extremely long lines and not enough product, Popeye’s restaurants around the US had to put up signs saying they were out of the perfectly seasoned sandwiches. But alas it was brought back to the menu permanently on November 3, 2019.   Other restaurants including KFC, Chick-fil-A, Wendy’s, Burger King, McDonald’s were forced to step up their game and show which chicken sandwich reign supreme.

In the past few weeks, well-known restaurants have announced new versions of chicken sandwiches.  Which one is the best? We’ll let you decide here’s a list of new chicken sandwiches hitting the market.

Taco Bell’s new chicken sandwich or is it a taco?

Tacos and nachos aren’t the only things this Tex-Mex restaurant is serving up.  Taco Bell is joining the chicken sandwich wars and releasing their own with a twist.  The crispy chicken taco features juicy white meat chicken marinated in jalapeno buttermilk and Mexican spices.  To add more crispiness the meat is then rolled in crunchy tortilla chips and placed between flatbread shaped like a taco shell.

May be a while before we can get our hands on one.  A regular and spicy version will become available on March 11 in Nashville, TN, and Charlotte, NC for $2.49 before a nationwide rollout later this year.

 McDonald’s is no stranger to chicken sandwiches

Big Macs aren’t the only good thing on McDonald’s menu.  After removing the crispy buttermilk chicken sandwich from their menu, McDonald’s is ready to get back in the chicken sandwich game by releasing not one or two but 3 versions of their new chicken sandwich, Original, spicy, and deluxe.  All served on toasted potato rolls the deluxe will include lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise.

McDonald’s Senior Director, Brand, and Menu Strategy Lauren Schultz tells GMA, “We know our customers are craving really great chicken sandwiches. And to deliver an elevated experience, we took the time to get our new Crispy, Spicy, and Deluxe Crispy Chicken Sandwiches right.”

As of February 24, 2021, every version is available nationwide.  Prices vary by region.

Burger King is such a tease with its new chicken sandwich

Though not available yet, Burger King has announced their new hand-breaded chicken sandwich.  Two years in the making, it’s to be delicious when it launches.  Hopefully later this year.  “Since we aren’t down to half a** the process, we plan to introduce our sandwich later this year. We promise it will be worth the wait,” the company said.

BK’s original chicken sandwich will remain on the menu while the Crispy Chicken Sandwich and the BBQ Bacon Crispy Chicken Sandwich will be removed once the hand-breaded chicken sandwich arrives.  The spicy and original version will be served on a potato bun paired with pickles.  Lettuce and tomato can be added as extras.

Kentucky Fried Chicken  has finally entered the wars

It’s no surprise that a restaurant whose main menu item is chicken is releasing its own chicken sandwich.  Made fresh to order the sandwich boasts a quarter-pound all-white meat, double-breaded, chicken breast filet finished off with a toasted buttery brioche bun pickles and mayo.  Mm sounds finger-lickin’ good.

Wanting the most perfect sandwich the chain says it tested eight different slices of pickles and worked with six bakeries on the bun before finding the right combination. Released in January it’s only available in certain markets for now, but you can check here to see when it’ll be available near you.

KFC’s chief marketing officer Andrea Zahumensky says “Many customers hadn’t considered KFC as a part of the chicken sandwich conversation, but anyone who tastes this sandwich will know, without a doubt, that we’re playing to win.”

Wendy’s new chicken sandwich is hot

Wendy’s has stepped up the spiciness with the Jalapeno Popper chicken sandwich.  For just $5.99 you can get a crispy chicken breast topped with jalapeño cream cheese, six slices of jalapeños, smoked bacon strips, cheddar, and pepper jack cheese.  Shade was thrown when the new item was announced.

“While everyone else is playing catch up and distracting consumers with stale chicken drops, we are listening and bringing exciting flavors and bold ingredients forward to help fans avoid the McStake of settling for the same boring chicken sandwiches from other fast-food joints,” Carl Loredo, Wendy’s chief marketing officer, said in a release.

Which chicken sandwich will you try first? Would you just rather skip the chicken all together?