Introduction
KFC recently announced that they are replacing their beloved Popcorn Chicken with Chicken Nuggets. This news has been met with mixed reactions from KFC fans, with some being disappointed that their favorite snack is no longer available, while others are excited to try the new Chicken Nuggets. In this article, we will explore the reasons behind KFC’s decision to switch up their menu and the potential implications of this change.
KFC Replacing Beloved Popcorn Chicken with Chicken Nuggets
KFC has announced that it will be replacing its beloved Popcorn Chicken with Chicken Nuggets. The move has been met with mixed reactions from fans of the fast-food chain, with some expressing disappointment at the change while others are excited to try the new menu item.
The Popcorn Chicken was a popular menu item at KFC, with many customers enjoying the bite-sized pieces of fried chicken. The new Chicken Nuggets, however, are larger and have a different texture and flavor. They are made with all-white meat chicken and are said to be more flavorful than the Popcorn Chicken.
KFC has said that the new Chicken Nuggets will be available in all of its restaurants across the United States. The company has also said that the new menu item will be available in a variety of sizes, from small to large, so customers can choose the size that best suits their needs.
KFC has not yet revealed when the new Chicken Nuggets will be available, but it is expected to be soon. The company has said that it is working hard to make sure that the new menu item is of the highest quality and that customers will be satisfied with the change.
It remains to be seen how customers will react to the change, but it is clear that KFC is looking to keep up with the changing tastes of its customers. The new Chicken Nuggets may be a hit with customers, or they may be met with disappointment. Only time will tell.
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UPDATE: Thursday, December 29, 2022 at 12:55 p.m.
Following the publication of this story on December 28, we received an email from a publicist for KFC who clarified that at this time, the nuggets are only being tested in Charlotte: “KFC is testing nuggets in Charlotte and continuing to evaluate results and consumer feedback,” they said.
The original story follows below.
KFC fans are about to say goodbye to one of the restaurant’s most iconic menu items. It looks like Popcorn Chicken, which is actually now called Popcorn Nuggets, is flying the coop, as the fried chicken fast-food chain is bringing on a new(ish) replacement: Kentucky Fried Chicken Nuggets.
After regional testing over the past year, KFC has decided to evolve palm-sized poultry snacks to a truer form of fast-food nugget. The Kentucky Fried Chicken Nuggets will feature all-white meat chicken, breaded in the signature Original Recipe of 11 herbs and spices, and will be available in orders of 8-, 12-, and 36-piece options.
The major rollout will arrive in January 2023, but diehard Popcorn Chicken fans are already mourning the loss of their beloved bundle of fried food as some restaurants have already begun siphoning out their supplies
“Went to a KFC today and they said the popcorn chicken was discontinued,” Reddit user u/Jesuschristlikessex posted on December 21. “Is this true? Everywhere? I hope to god this is not the case.”
/uCommercial-Success88 confirmed the hard truth in a reply to the original thread.
“I’m a manager for a Florida location,” they explain. “Yes, all locations are removing the popcorn chicken by Jan. 3rd and will be replacing it with all white meat chicken nuggets cooked in original recipe.”
The respondee also dropped another bomb no one saw coming:
“Cookies will no longer be carried either.”
Food technologist Gene Gagliardi patented the recipe for Popcorn Chicken back in the early 1990s, and it became popularized by KFC soon after (according to an interview in NPR). However, the fried-up bite-sized bits of poultry were officially discontinued in 2011. By popular demand, KFC brought them back in a new form with a new name—Popcorn Nuggets, which had evolved into the larger, less fried version of the grab ‘n go snack.
They were the restaurant’s answer to chicken nuggets, and because they were so small and cute, it made diners feel like they were choosing a “healthier” alternative to the larger pieces of fried chicken (despite coming in at a whopping 620 calories per serving for a large order).
It was also a staple topper for KFC bowl creations, like the Mac & Cheese Bowl combo, and the Famous Bowl, which brought together all of your favorite side dishes in one convenient vessel for ultra-easy snacking.
So if Popcorn Nuggets are a KFC fave and they are available at your local drive-thru, grab them up before they’re gone.
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Katka Lapelosova