Hailed by fans as the most delectable KFC experience, an iconic menu item is making its much-anticipated comeback.
KFC’s popular popcorn chicken, which vanished from outlets earlier in 2023, is rejoining the menu board. Starting July 13, diners nationwide can indulge in this returning favorite for a limited period at participating locations.
Fans can savor popcorn chicken in numerous ways; the star offering is a $10 popcorn chicken bucket, complete with four tasty dipping sauces.
Additionally, the ‘Big Box’ option includes popcorn chicken, two tenders, a mid-sized fry, a medium beverage, two dipping sauces, and a chocolate chunk cookie, all for $10.99.
For those seeking a simpler meal, the popcorn chicken combo is available at $8.49, featuring the beloved item alongside medium fries, a medium drink, and a dipping sauce.
The comeback follows years of relentless campaigning from loyal customers, who urged the chain to revive the crispy favorite on Reddit, X and even through online petitions.
‘For years, KFC has heard directly from fans clamoring for Popcorn Chicken’s return,’ KFC said in a statement. ‘We read every comment, every DM, and even every online petition signature, and the message was impossible to ignore.’
They added that this menu item returns shows their ‘commitment’ to listening to fans and give them ‘exactly what they’re craving.’
KFC’s recently announced bucket of popcorn chicken costs $10 and comes with four dipping sauces
KFC is under the parent company Yum! Brands, which also owns Taco Bell, The Habit Burger Grill and WingStreet
‘We’re nodding to nostalgia as we simultaneously modernize the brand and how it shows up throughout the world,’ they added.
KFC’s Popcorn Chicken initially debuted in the early 1990s before it was pulled from menus in 2023 to ‘make room for some new, exciting additions to the menu in 2023. Naturally, customers online went into a frenzy, sharing their love for the discontinued classic.
‘I remember when it came out many years ago when I was a young child,’ one Reddit user wrote. ‘That was my go-to ever since.’
‘KFC is hands down my favorite fast food place and they are ruining it for no reason,’ another added. ‘Removing popcorn chicken and Nashville hot from the menu are terrible business decisions.’
Now, fans are already rushing to restaurants to their hands on the popcorn chicken goodness – which will only be available ‘for a limited time’ the restaurant confirms.
‘They’re so good 1000x better than the nuggets,’ one Reddit user wrote. ‘We have been munching on them at my stores for a few days now.’
Another chimed in, saying it’s ‘about time! I’ve only been making posts demanding they bring this back every other week for the last three years!’
Others compared the chain’s popcorn chicken to its nuggets, writing that the chicken nuggets are ‘awful’ compared to the bite-sized option.
KFC is one of the world’s largest fast food chicken-based chains along with Popeyes and Chick-fil-A
This is just one of the major changes brought on by parent company Yum! Brands, which also owns major chains like Taco Bell, The Habit Burger Grill and WingStreet. Due to sliding sales, it recently sold the beloved restaurant Pizza Hut to private equity firm LongRange Capital.
Yum! Brands brought executive leadership to KFC from Taco Bell in recent years in an effort to revive the fast food chain.
With competition from other chicken-specific fast food chains like Chick-fil-A and Popeyes heating up, KFC is constantly updating its offerings.
Earlier this year, the fried chicken chain introduced its ‘snacker’ sandwich – made up of a mini brioche bun, one chicken tender, mayo and pickles. A $7 box feast includes a snacker and a five-piece nugget. For $9, customers get two KFC snackers and a five-piece nugget.
The most expensive option, an $11 box feast, features one full-size chicken sandwich and two tenders. All box feasts come with a medium drink and fries and remain on the menu today.