Previously, the Yum brand has only had popcorn chicken bites, 'original recipe bites' and Beyond Meat nuggets
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Joanna Fantozzi
KFC announced Monday the release of its first-ever chicken nuggets. The new menu item is being tested at select stores of the Yum brand in the Charlotte, N.C. area (Concord, Mint Hill, Shelby, and Salisbury) and is available in 8, 12- and 36-piece meals starting at $3.49 starting July 18 as a LTO menu item.
While KFC has offered bite-sized chicken and imitation chicken before, including popcorn chicken, “original recipe bites,” and Beyond Meat nuggets (which were first launched as a test in 2019 and came back in Jan. 2022 for a limited time), this is the first time the brand has tested traditional chicken nuggets.
The 100% white meat chicken nuggets are coated in KFC’s signature 11 herbs and spices and can be paired with meal deals and the brand’s classic sauces.
“While nuggets often come in small packages, that doesn’t mean they should have small flavor,” Nick Chavez, CMO of KFC U.S. said in a statement. “We wanted to introduce nuggets with the flavor and ingredients that live up to our legacy as the original fried chicken experts. Our Kentucky Fried Chicken nuggets offer a new way to enjoy our distinctive 11 herbs and spices.”
The first customers to get a taste of the new nuggets will be the staff at multiple Atrium Health maternity centers because, according to KFC “they bring new nuggets into the world every day.”
KFC also announced the return of the mac and cheese bowls to coincide with the return of the chicken nuggets: the cheddar mac & cheese is made with popcorn chicken and three-cheese blend and available for $5.
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