Are you a fast food junkie like me? If you’ve ever hit the BK drive-thru, you’ve probably spotted those long, thin strips of chicken goodness on the menu. But what exactly ARE Chicken Fries from Burger King? Like, really – what’s the deal with these weirdly shaped chicken things that aren’t quite nuggets and aren’t quite fries?
Well. grab your favorite dipping sauce because we’re diving deep into the world of BK Chicken Fries today!
What Are Chicken Fries, Actually?
Let’s clear this up right away. Despite their confusing name, Chicken Fries are NOT chicken-flavored french fries (thank goodness). They’re actually strips of white meat chicken breast that are shaped like french fries – long, narrow, and perfect for dipping.
According to Burger King’s Bahamas website (which sounds like a vacation I need right now), Chicken Fries are “made with white meat chicken, coated in a light crispy breading seasoned with savory spices and herbs.” They’re basically a hybrid creation that gives you the best of both worlds – the protein satisfaction of chicken with the convenient dippability of fries.
The Birth of a Fast Food Legend
Burger King first introduced these unique chicken strips back in 2005. At that time, BK was trying to appeal to a more adult demographic – specifically targeting those 24-36 year old dudes who wanted something beyond basic fast food fare. The company was expanding its menu with more sophisticated items that would hopefully raise the average check price.
Chicken Fries were part of a broader menu expansion that included items like
The Disappearance That Broke Hearts
In January 2012, Burger King did something that would spark an internet revolution – they discontinued Chicken Fries! They replaced them with regular chicken strips in March of that year, and fast food fans were NOT happy.
The outcry was massive. Fans created:
- Facebook pages demanding their return
- Twitter accounts dedicated to the cause
- Tumblr blogs begging for their comeback
- A Change.org petition (because that’s how serious this was)
Even comedian Daniel Tosh featured a skit on his show Tosh.0 calling for the return of Chicken Fries. When a fast food item gets that kind of attention, you know it’s special.
The Triumphant Return(s)
Finally, in August 2014, BK listened to the masses and brought back Chicken Fries as a limited-time offering. The internet rejoiced! But then they disappeared again, causing another wave of disappointment.
But here’s where the story gets good – in March 2015, Burger King PERMANENTLY added Chicken Fries back to their menu in over 30 countries. They finally understood what the people wanted!
And it wasn’t just a PR win – it was a financial win too. When BK reintroduced Chicken Fries in 2014, their domestic same-store sales rose by 3.1%. Meanwhile, McDonald’s reported a 4% decrease in the same period. Ouch for the golden arches!
The 2015 reintroduction helped BK boost their second-quarter comparable sales by a whopping 7.9%! All because of some weirdly-shaped chicken. The power of fast food nostalgia, folks!
What Makes Them So Special?
The Taste Factor
Chicken Fries have a distinct peppery, savory flavor profile that’s different from regular nuggets. The breading is seasoned with spices and herbs that give them their signature taste.
The Dippability Factor
One of the biggest selling points is their shape. Being long and thin makes them PERFECT for dipping. Burger King offers several sauce options:
- BBQ
- Honey Mustard
- Ranch
- Zesty
- Buffalo
- Sweet & Sour
In 2015, they even released a special “Chicken Fry Sauce” described as a combination of BBQ and honey mustard. The company didn’t advertise it widely but promoted it on social media with the hashtag #AskForTheSauce, calling it “the sauce of all sauces.”
The Packaging Innovation
The packaging for Chicken Fries is actually pretty genius. The tall, narrow box was specifically designed to fit in a car cup holder, making them perfect for on-the-go eating. The top of the box, when opened, forms a small tray designed to hold your dipping sauce.
This innovative packaging won an honorable mention at a packaging industry design competition in 2007. Not many fast food items can claim design awards!
The Chicken Fries Family Grows
Over the years, BK has experimented with different varieties of Chicken Fries:
-
Fiery Chicken Fries – Released in summer 2015, these featured a spicy breading with cayenne pepper, black pepper, and other spices. According to BK’s chief marketing officer, they knew they had the right spice mix when taste testers described them as “spicy as shit” (his words, not mine!).
-
Buffalo Chicken Fries – A limited-time offering that followed the Fiery version.
-
Cheetos Chicken Fries – Introduced in 2016, these featured a coating made of powdered, cheesy Cheetos. They came in an orange box with a sunglasses-wearing chicken with whiskers meant to resemble Chester Cheetah.
The Weird World of Chicken Fries Marketing
Burger King’s marketing for Chicken Fries has been… interesting, to say the least.
The Coq Roq Band
When Chicken Fries first launched in 2005, BK created a fictional “rooster metal” band called Coq Roq as part of their advertising campaign. The band members had names like “Fowl Mouth,” “The Talisman,” “Kabuki,” “Free Range,” “Sub-Sonic,” and “Firebird.”
This campaign got BK into some hot water when the metal band Slipknot sued them, claiming the masked rooster rockers were a blatant copy of their style. Both suits were eventually dropped, but the controversy definitely got people talking about Chicken Fries!
Gloria the Chicken
In 2015, BK used a viral marketing strategy starring a chicken named Gloria. She would visit local restaurants to “decide” if that location would sell Chicken Fries that day by choosing between two feed bowls labeled “yes” and “no.”
This stunt actually angered animal rights organization PETA, who responded with a tweet: “DESPICABLE. @BurgerKing forcing a chicken to decide if her friends will become #ChickenFries.”
The Pink Tax Campaign
In 2018, BK used Chicken Fries to call attention to the “pink tax” – the practice of charging more for products marketed to women. They created a social experiment where they charged more for the same Chicken Fries when they came in a pink box, calling it a “chick tax” on “chick fries.”
After releasing footage of customers’ reactions, they announced a temporary price reduction for Chicken Fries to $1.69 “for everyone.”
Nutrition Info (Because We Should Probably Talk About That Too)
I know we don’t go to Burger King for health food, but for those who are curious, here’s what you’re getting in a 9-piece order of Chicken Fries:
- 280 calories
- 17g fat
- 20g carbs
- 13g protein
- 850mg sodium
So yeah, not exactly a superfood, but definitely delicious!
Why We’re Still Obsessed With Them
There’s something about Chicken Fries that has created an unusually devoted following. Maybe it’s the unique shape, the special seasoning, or just the satisfaction of dipping them in your favorite sauce. Perhaps it’s just nostalgia – they’ve been around since 2005, after all!
Whatever the reason, BK Chicken Fries have become one of those cult-favorite fast food items that people are weirdly passionate about. They rank up there with Wendy’s Spicy Chicken Nuggets and the Popeye’s Chicken Sandwich in terms of chicken items that have inspired intense loyalty.
The Bottom Line
So, what are Chicken Fries from Burger King? They’re strips of white meat chicken breast, coated in seasoned breading, shaped like fries for optimal dipping, and packaged in an award-winning container designed to fit in your car’s cup holder.
But more than that, they’re a fast food phenomenon that’s sparked petitions, social media campaigns, and even lawsuits. They’ve helped Burger King boost sales and win the hearts of fast food fans everywhere.
Next time you’re at BK, grab yourself an order and see what all the fuss is about. Just don’t forget to #AskForTheSauce!
What are chicken fries?
Chicken fries are long, finger-sized strips of chicken coated in seasoned bread crumbs and fried. They were first launched as a special Burger King menu item in 2005, but earned permanent status in 2015. These days, you can get them at any Burger King establishment along with a myriad of dipping sauces such as ranch, barbecue, and Buffalo. (There used to be a chicken fry sauce, which was a mix of BBQ and honey mustard, but Burger King discontinued it.) As noted above, you can also find frozen chicken fries from brands like Tyson and Yummy at the grocery store.
Best Frozen Chicken Fries
So, you can get frozen chicken fries at the grocery store, but what are the best frozen chicken fries? We found them.
Burger King Chicken Fries Review
FAQ
What are Burger King chicken fries made of?
Burger King Chicken Fries are made of whole-muscle chicken breast strips coated in a seasoned breading, which typically includes flour, spices like garlic and onion powder, and other ingredients such as dextrose and salt. The chicken is then fried to achieve a crispy texture.
Does Burger King still do chicken fries?
In August 2014, they were reintroduced for a limited-time offering (LTO) in North America, leading to their permanent re-addition to the menu in March 2015 in over 30 countries globally. As one of the company’s major offerings, the chicken fries are sometimes the center of product advertising for the company.
Are BK chicken fries any good?
Burger King’s Chicken Fries are a divisive fast-food item; they are described as having a crispy, breaded exterior and an all-white meat chicken interior, similar to chicken nuggets or tenders but in a french fry shape, while some reviewers praise their spicy flavor, convenience for dipping, and overall tasty quality, others criticize the inconsistent meat-to-breading ratio, lack of meat, and tendency to be dry or overly hard. Ultimately, whether they are “good” depends on individual taste and expectations for fast food.
Are chicken fries chicken nuggets?
They’re basically the same, just chicken formed into different shapes. I tend to get the fries at Burger King, and they’re fine, but I think the fries have a lot higher breading-to-meat ratio so it’s a lot easier to get some crappy ones. I usually prefer just normal nuggets.