The beginning of summer means Chick-fil-A is bringing out some delicious new menu items.
And the beloved chicken chain is hoping it has created a new summertime staple.
Because Chick-fil-A just unveiled a new summer sandwich that is sure to be a fan favorite.
Chick-fil-A kicks off summer with a new sandwich and the return of a classic
Chick-fil-A is kicking off the summer season with some new additions to its menu.
They are hoping these new items will be perfect for the hot summer months ahead.
To get things going, the all-new Maple Pepper Bacon Sandwich is now on menus nationwide for a limited time.
Chick-fil-A decided to roll out the new sandwich nationally after a successful test run at locations in Lexington, Kentucky, and Indianapolis, Indiana, last year.
Now the Christian chicken chain is hoping this blend of sweet and spicy is a hit with fans everywhere.
The sandwich features a lemon herb marinated grilled chicken breast, pepper jack cheese, green leaf lettuce, bacon with a brown sugar and pepper blend, and it is topped with sweet and spicy pickles.
A toasted, buttered maple flavored brioche bun is used to help give it its signature taste.
The sandwich is the only menu option besides the Grilled Chicken Club to combine chicken and bacon, which is a popular and delicious combination.
Chick-fil-A Director of Menu and Packaging, Allison Duncan, said the Maple Pepper Bacon Sandwich had a taste unlike anything else on the menu.
“We are always looking for ways to make unique twists to our entrée selection and the Maple Pepper Bacon Sandwich is a delicious spin on the Chick-fil-A flavors our Guests know and love,” Duncan said. “It is a delicious blend of sweet, savory and spicy, offering an entirely different flavor profile than any other sandwich we’ve launched.”
And she also said more new and exciting sandwiches are on the way.
“We have several new and exciting offerings in the pipeline and look forward to continuing to surprise our Guests with bold, new tastes in the future!” Duncan added.
In fact, Chick-fil-A tested a line of Pretzel Cheddar Club Sandwiches earlier this year that had a cross-cut pretzel bun, cheddar cheese, bacon, and Dijon mustard.
But the Maple Pepper Bacon Sandwich is a chance to highlight the chain’s grilled chicken, according to its inventor, Chick-fil-A’s Senior Culinary Lead, Christy Cook.
“A lot of people forget that we offer this tender and juicy grilled fillet, and we wanted to feature that in a way that customers have not experienced before,” Cook said.
She said the goal with the sandwich was to make its taste “pleasantly sweet with gentle heat.”
Chick-fil-A is following the current trend of blending sweet and heat to create “swicy.”
The National Association of Convenience Stores said that “swicy” is going to be one of the hottest trends in food this summer.
Chick-fil-A also bringing back its iconic Peach Milkshake for summer
The Chick-fil-A Peach Milkshake is returning for summer for its 15th year.
Over the years, it’s become one of the most popular milkshakes on Chick-fil-A’s menu.
The milkshake is made with vanilla soft serve and peach puree before being handspun and topped with whipped cream and a cherry.
“For me – and many of our guests – Chick-fil-A’s Peach Milkshake signals the arrival of summer,” Cook said. “This June, we’re thrilled to bring back the seasonal favorite alongside the new Maple Pepper Bacon Sandwich. The Summer is all about time spent outside, eating good food with family and friends, and we think this is the perfect pairing to enjoy during those long, hot days.”
Chick-fil-A got big by keeping its menu small.
The chain’s Founder, S. Truett Cathy, who passed away in 2014, recognized his competitors always tried to do too many things in too many complex ways.
That complexity means customers take longer to decide.
Instead, he made his company do one thing and they did it great.
Chick-fil-A hasn’t messed with that recipe much.
But their customers will certainly have some sweet and “swicy” new menu items waiting for them this summer.