KFC Is Launching All-New Nuggets—and I Tried Them First

Look out Wendy's!

In life, there is one clear truth: all is fair in love, war, and fast food. Just think about how many fast food restaurants have launched a Snack Wrap dupe since McDonald’s removed it from the menu in 2016—that's at least five in the past year alone.

Even though many restaurants seem to be hitting copy-and-paste on competitor menu items, KFC has always had a bit of creative flair. Who else could think of the Double Down Sandwich or Chizza—two iconic menu items made with pieces of fried chicken instead of bread? Now, KFC is becoming the first fast food chain to release a new kind of chicken nugget at restaurants nationwide.

KFC Launches New Saucy Nuggets Nationwide

Kentucky Fried Chicken is launching its new Saucy Nuggets at all locations starting April 1. The new nuggets are coated with one of five sauce flavors: Honey Sriracha, Korean BBQ, Sticky Chicky Sweet ‘n Sour Sauce, Nashville Hot, and Georgia Gold.

Before you say, “Wendy’s did it first,” let’s clarify. Yes, Wendy’s did release Saucy Nuggets in late 2023. However, those nuggets were simply a test menu item at select restaurants in Ohio—so, they’re not available on menus nationwide yet.

And, if we really want to get down to brass tacks, are saucy nuggets simply just boneless wings? Maybe, but how many fast food restaurants sell boneless chicken wings? And, if you think about it, aren’t boneless wings just chicken nuggets or popcorn chicken with sauce? We digress.

No matter what you call them, KFC’s saucy nuggets are a highly anticipated menu item because their launch includes the return of two fan-loved, discontinued sauces.

KFC discontinued its Nashville Hot sauce in 2023 as part of its menu simplification, and its Georgia Gold sauce, a honey mustard barbecue sauce, hasn’t been seen since 2019. But the sweet heat of the Honey Sriracha, umami-filled Korean BBQ, and tangy Sticky Chicky Sweet ‘n Sour shouldn't be underestimated either.

The Saucy Nuggets will be sold as a 10-piece order for $5.99 for a limited time. Plus, when you spend at least $10 on the KFC app or site, you can get a 10-piece order of the new nuggets for free.

In addition to the sauce-coated nuggets, KFC is also introducing a new dessert. The fast food chicken chain is launching Apple Pie Poppers, a bite-sized, buttery, flaky pie crust filled with warm apple pie filling. The new dessert offering will include four Apple Pie Poppers for $2.49 for a limited time. And, if the pie launch goes over well, it might not be the last you see of KFC in the dessert space—wink, wink.

KFC Saucy Nuggets Review

In preparation for the April 1 launch, I was among the first to try KFC's new nuggets and apple pie offering—and I definitely approve.

First things first, if you've never tried KFC's Original Recipe Chicken Nuggets, you're missing out. They're so flavorful (thanks to those secret 11 herbs and spices) and juicy on their own, but drench them in a delectable sauce and you've got something extra special.

I went into the tasting thinking I'd be a Nashville Hot lover—and while it was incredibly delicious—it, shockingly, wasn't my favorite. The Nashville Hot Saucy Nuggets are straight heat, but my personal favorite was the Honey Sriracha because it has a bit of sweetness, plus the fiery kick.

Don't get me wrong, though, the savory Korean BBQ, tangy, pineapple-flavored Sticky Chicky Sweet 'n Sour, and sweet-and-savory Georgia Gold sauce were all great, too. Truthfully, you can't go wrong with any of the options. And, if you like your nuggets extra coated in sauce—or even want to mix-and-match flavors—you can always ask the KFC employee for a side of any of the sauces. The Sticky Chicky Sweet 'n Sour sauce even comes in its own dipping cup for any chicken order.

On the dessert front, KFC has never really waded too far into the sweets pond. But, all that's about to change with the new Apple Pie Poppers. The mini, piping-hot pies are just the hit of sweetness you need after getting your fried chicken fix. And what's more American than fried chicken and apple pie?

Plus, I might have gotten a sneak peek into what's to come in the desserts world if KFC's Apple Pie Poppers perform well in-market, and let's just say if you tried them, you'd want these pies to succeed, too.

If you thought KFC was finger lickin' good before, just wait until your hands are coated in these tangy, spicy, sweet chicken nugget sauces. You won't want to use that napkin at all.

Read the original article on All Recipes.