Chick-Fil-A Debuts Its First New Chicken Sandwich In Almost A Decade

As chicken sandwich news goes, this is monumental. Those that prize the combination of a fried piece of chicken between bread or bun in its many, many forms will remember where they were when they heard the news that the chain that claims — dubiously — to have introduced the fried chicken sandwich to market is set to debut their newest version in almost 10 years.

Chick-fil-A is known for their spartan sandwich that allows the chicken to shine with a lightly-seasoned coating and nothing more than sliced pickles adorning it on a griddled bun (though they do offer more toppings on their "deluxe" versions). Joining the roster on August 28 will be the limited-time Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich. The new model features "an original Chick-fil-A filet, topped with custom-made creamy pimento cheese, mild pickled jalapeños and served on a warm, toasted bun drizzled with sweet honey," according to a company press release.

Billed as a riff on their original offering, the Honey Pepper Pimento Sandwich is purported to satisfy several culinary cravings at once, notes Chick-fil-A head chef Stuart Tracy. Savory, spicy, sweet, and melty combine to make for a sandwich unlike anything the restaurant has offered before.

This is perhaps one of the most creatively loaded fast food chicken sandwiches one can get their hands on, especially at Chick-fil-A, which spent a year developing more than 30 sandwiches before landing on this offering. Pimento cheese is a Southern staple that combines cheddar cheese — though other cheeses are sometimes used — with mayonnaise, pimentos, and spices for a spread that can just as adeptly be a star on its own or a supporting player. Chick-fil-A crafted their own assertive blend for the new sandwich using sharp cheddar and adding in green chilis as well as pimentos for added kick and robust flavor.

Jalapeños have never been used on a Chick-fil-A sandwich to date. Here they are filling the role normally played by conventional dill pickles on the classic Chick-fil-A sandwich. The chain is using mild pickled jalapeños for a kick that isn't too over the top for their diners, but adds "just enough heat to balance the sweet and salty flavors."

Finally, honey is used to finish the sandwich, adding a touch of sweetness to bring all these bold savory and spicy notes together. While many might cock their heads at the combination of honey, jalapeños, sharp cheese, and chicken, it is important to remember the way these flavors can play off of each other. Who hasn't seen honey on a cheese plate? And honey and chicken are a classic combination.

If that wasn't enough, the seasonal sandwich is joined by a new milkshake that is made for fall. The Caramel Crumble Milkshake whips together "creamy butterscotch caramel flavors, hand-spun Chick-fil-A Icedream, blondie crumbles and topped with whipped cream and a cherry." Chick-fil-A chef Christy Cook says this new flavor, the brand's seventh seasonal milkshake, was "inspired by the flavors that caramelize at the bottom of a blondie pan."

It's the perfect cold treat to celebrate the end of summer all on it's own, as well as the perfect pairing for a sandwich that will be hot in more ways than one. "Combining new and surprising ingredients with classic Chick-fil-A flavors, we hope both these new menu items will deliver a delicious new spin for our guests to enjoy," said Leslie Neslage, director of Menu and Packaging at Chick-fil-A. The Caramel Crumble Milkshake and the Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich will be available throughout the fall season at Chick-fil-A locations nationwide (with one exception — the sandwich is not available in Hawaii).