Review: Wendy’s Chicken Tendy’s with Scorchin’ Hot Sauce
Bottom Line: Wendy’s new Chicken Tendy’s are actually quite good, and the Scorchin’ Hot Sauce really brings the heat.
Chicken again, chicken again, chicken again. Even when I’m not looking to eat chicken, I find myself eating chicken again because the restaurant industry puts so much focus on spicing up poultry products these days.
I was in Houston Hobby Airport on a two-hour layover, and I was looking for something for lunch that didn’t break the bank. I decided to pass on the $28 burger one place had on the menu, and $18 for a brisket sandwich seemed pretty steep as well. There was a Landry’s Gastropub there, but I wasn’t even going to check the menu prices there, and ultimately, the Big Boss slice of pizza for eight bucks in the food court sounded like a deal compared to the other places. And it was actually a decent piece of pie, just not very filling.
So as I was sitting there with my stomach still grumbling, I noticed Wendy’s advertising their new chicken tenders with Scorchin’ Hot Sauce, and a three-piece order of those sounded like the perfect way to top off an incomplete lunch. They actually call these “Tendy’s”, apparently following a similar naming pattern as their new nuggets (“Nuggs”), and they joined the menu back in September. I hadn’t planned on making a trip to try these because I find Wendy’s to be very hit-and-miss, and there are plenty of other options for good chicken these days. But as fate would have it, I ended up getting these at the airport, and I was pleasantly surprised.
The crust is light and flaky but still delivers a good crunch. The chicken pieces have a good breading-to-meat ratio, and they’re mostly tender throughout. One tender was partly on the chewy side, but that did not ruin the experience, and the other two were perfectly fine. The chicken strips aren’t heavily seasoned but still have good flavor without sauce. The Scorchin’ Hot Sauce—which is one of several new options at Wendy’s—is like a creamy Buffalo sauce with notable tang and just a touch of sweetness.
The Tendy’s themselves have no heat, but that Scorchin’ Hot Sauce certainly kicks things up. I’d put it above Medium on my scale, and when balanced out by the milder tenders, the overall heat level lands just below Medium. I like the sauce enough that I may have to stop by and get one of their spicy chicken sandwiches (which are pretty good) and add some of that to it. But if you just want the Tendy’s, that’s a darn good combo as well.
A three-piece order of the new chicken tenders is only 420 calories, but that Scorchin’ Hot Sauce adds another 150 cals, so don’t go crazy with the sides. A small order of fries might be okay at 210 cals, but don’t be looking to add that Frosty (310 cals for a medium). At eleven bucks for a combo with fries and a drink, this is on the high side for fast food. But give them credit for not up charging at the airport, because that’s the same price I’d pay at my local Wendy’s.
The Tendy’s aren’t being referred to as a limited-time-only item, and the Nuggs are still around (though only in the party pack). I’d definitely stop by Wendy’s again to get these new chicken strips, but they need to make sure they have the Scorchin’ Sauce available as well. The Tendy’s are quite good, but the sauce makes them a must-have item.
Nutrition Info:
Chicken Tendy’s
Serving Size: Three Tendy’s
Calories: 420
Fat: 22g (3.5g Sat/0 Trans)
Protein: 33g
Carbs: 22g
Sodium: 1050mg
Scorchin’ Sauce
Serving Size: 1 Packet
Calories: 150
Fat: 16g (2.5g Sat/0 Trans)
Protein: 2g
Carbs: 0g
Sodium: 360mg
