by Panda Express Adds Blazing Bourbon Chicken
This Asian-inspired chain starting testing its Blazing Bourbon Chicken back in 2023, and now it will be rolling that out nationally. Following is the description given by QSR Magazine:
The dish contains crispy boneless chicken bites and fresh veggies, wok-tossed in a spicy and sweet bourbon sauce fused with the signature Hot Ones Last Dab Apollo hot sauce – all topped with sesame seeds.
Panda Express has offered some spicy items on their menu in the past, but usually they have not measured up on the heat, unless you add their rather tasty chili sauce (for example, 2023’s Sizzling Shrimp). But the Last Dab Apollo hot sauce definitely brings the burn (more on that one here), so this dish should be worth seeking out. It will be available in stores starting September 4th on a limited-time basis.
Popeyes Introduces Sweet & Smokey Wings
This national chicken slinger has been winging it lately, and they are adding the Sweet & Smokey flavor to their lineup of wings. Here is the official description from the press release:
This new variation features chicken wings perfectly coated in Chipotle chilies to add that smokiness & spiciness and finished with a hint of honey for a touch of sweetness to balance out the heat.
This flavor will be available in stores on August 26th and they are not being pegged as a limited-time-only item at this point. So expect them to at least stick around through football season.
Bojangles Adds New Wings
And speaking of wings, up-and-coming chicken chain Bojangles is taking flight with the poultry pieces as well, adding wings as a limited-time-only item through football season. These will be available in Classic, Creamy Buffalo, and BBQ flavors, and they are served with a new House-made Ranch dressing. And to tempt you to the drive thru, they are currently offered 20% a wing combo meal.
Buffalo Wild Wings Brings on the Bacon
Still on the subject of wings, BWW is adding the new Buffalo Bacon Sauce just ahead of football season. This is a bacon-infused version of their classic sauce, and while they don’t mention the heat level, I assume it is in the medium range. This is part of their new Bacon-Centric Menu which also includes a burger that should be of interest to spicy food lovers. The Bacon Mac & Cheese Burger comes with two hand-smashed patties along with thick-cut bacon, American cheese, mac & cheese, pickled hot peppers, Hatch chile aioli, and a challah bun. This one should be around for the fall months as well.
