Listen up, folks! If you’ve been living under a rock lately, you might’ve missed that Popeyes has been absolutely crushing it with their chicken sandwich game. I’m not just talking about their OG sandwich that caused literal fistfights in 2019 (remember those crazy lines?). Nope, they’ve stepped it up with not one but TWO new mind-blowing creations that got chicken lovers racing to drive-thrus across America.
The Golden BBQ Chicken Sandwich: Lunch Just Got Interesting Again
In May 2024, Popeyes dropped what might be the tastiest thing to happen to your lunch break in years – the Golden BBQ Chicken Sandwich.
As someone who’s eaten more chicken sandwiches than I care to admit lemme tell you what makes this baby special
- That classic buttermilk-battered chicken breast (all white meat, y’all)
- Sweet and tangy Golden BBQ sauce that’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance
- Barrel-cured pickles for that perfect crunch and zing
- All nestled in a buttery-toasted brioche bun
But wait… Popeyes isn’t playing around. They let you customize this beauty with:
- Applewood smoked bacon (because bacon makes everything better)
- Havarti cheese (fancy, right?)
According to Chef Amy Alarcon, VP of Culinary Innovation at Popeyes “The Golden BBQ Chicken Sandwich brings a rich combination of sweet and tangy with every bite, perfect for those looking to zest up their midday meal”
I tried it last week and the smoky-sweet BBQ sauce perfectly complements that signature Popeyes crunch. The pickle adds just enough acid to cut through the richness. It’s definitely a step up from sad desk lunches!
The Limited Edition Tequila Don Julio Chicken Sandwich: Blink and You’ll Miss It
Now THIS is where things get wild. In January 2025, Popeyes partnered with Don Julio for possibly the most exclusive fast food item ever created – the Tequila Don Julio Reposado Flavored Concha Chicken Sandwich.
What Makes This Sandwich So Special?
This isn’t just another chicken sandwich. This is a CONCHA chicken sandwich! For those unfamiliar, concha is a sweet Mexican bread roll with Brioche-like texture and crunchy sugar topping.
Here’s what goes into this masterpiece:
- Chicken breast marinated in Don Julio Reposado tequila flavoring
- Buttermilk-battered and fried to golden perfection
- Topped with a tequila lime slaw (the citrus cuts through everything perfectly)
- Spicy spread for kick
- Barrel-cured pickle
- All sandwiched between a buttery concha roll
It’s basically Southern fried chicken meets Mexican pastry with a tequila kick. Talk about a cultural mashup!
The Catch (There’s Always a Catch)
Before you jump in your car, there’s something you should know about the Tequila Don Julio sandwich – it was SUPER limited. Like, one-day-only limited.
On January 31st, only select Popeyes locations in:
- New York (Times Square and Madison Square Park)
- Miami (6800 Red Rd)
- New Orleans (621 Canal Street)
- Philadelphia (1428 Old York Rd)
- Kansas City (9460 Quivira Rd)
The good news? The flagship store on Canal Street in New Orleans had an extended run leading up to Super Bowl LIX on February 9th.
The sandwich was part of a “Championship Lineup” that also included:
- Tequila Don Julio Reposado Flavored Louisiana Garlic 3-Piece Wings
- Spicy Strawberry Hibiscus Flavored Lemonade Mocktail
And yes, you had to be 21+ to partake in this tequila-flavored goodness.
Why Popeyes’ Chicken Sandwiches Keep Breaking the Internet
It’s not an accident that Popeyes keeps creating viral sensations. Their strategy combines several elements that make people go crazy:
1. Nostalgia + Innovation
They start with their already legendary chicken sandwich formula but add unexpected twists. The core components (juicy chicken, crunchy coating) stay the same while new flavors update the experience.
2. FOMO Factor
Limited-time offerings like the Don Julio sandwich create serious FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). When something’s only available for a day, people will literally line up for hours.
3. Customization Options
People love making things their own way. Adding bacon or Havarti to the Golden BBQ sandwich gives customers that personalized touch.
4. Flavor That Delivers
Most importantly – these sandwiches actually taste amazing. The fried chicken is consistently crispy and juicy, and the new sauces and toppings enhance rather than mask the signature Popeyes flavor.
A Brief History: How We Got Here
To understand the hype, we gotta look back at where it all started.
In August 2019, Popeyes launched their first chicken sandwich – a simple combo of crispy chicken, pickles, and mayo on a brioche bun. What happened next was fast food history.
Social media exploded with debate (especially vs. Chick-fil-A), lines wrapped around buildings, and the sandwich sold out nationwide in just two weeks. When it returned, the frenzy continued.
Since then, Popeyes has strategically released new versions to keep the excitement going:
| Year | Sandwich | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Original Chicken Sandwich | Buttermilk battered, barrel-cured pickles, mayo |
| 2024 | Golden BBQ Chicken Sandwich | Sweet and tangy Golden BBQ sauce |
| 2024 | Ghost Pepper Chicken Sandwich | Spicy kick for heat lovers |
| 2025 | Tequila Don Julio Sandwich | Tequila marinade, concha bun, tequila lime slaw |
What Makes The Classic Popeyes Chicken Sandwich So Good?
For those who haven’t tried the OG sandwich that started it all, here’s what you’re missing:
- The Chicken: A juicy chicken breast fillet marinated in Popeyes seasonings, hand-battered and breaded in their buttermilk system, fried until golden brown
- The Toppings: Barrel-cured pickle slices and classic mayo
- The Bun: Two buttery toasted brioche buns
They also offer a spicy version with a kicked-up mayo.
The Blackened Option: For Those Avoiding Breading
Popeyes even has an option for folks trying to avoid the breading – the Blackened Chicken Sandwich features:
- A breading-free, antibiotic-free chicken breast
- Marinated in Cajun spices for 12 hours
- Served on a toasted brioche bun with pickles
- Choice of classic or spicy mayo
Is It Worth The Hype?
Having tried both the Golden BBQ sandwich and (lucky me!) snagging one of those elusive Tequila Don Julio sandwiches, I can confidently say: YES.
The Golden BBQ strikes a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory. The sauce doesn’t overwhelm the chicken but adds a new dimension. If you add bacon, the smokiness takes it to another level.
As for the Tequila Don Julio sandwich? It was a unique experience I won’t forget. The sweet concha bun against the savory chicken created an unexpected harmony, while the tequila marinade and lime slaw gave it brightness and complexity you don’t expect from fast food.
What’s Next For Popeyes Sandwich Innovations?
If history teaches us anything, Popeyes won’t stop innovating. While we can’t predict exactly what crave-worthy flavors they’ll dream up next, I’m betting on more:
- Celebrity/brand collaborations
- Regionally-inspired flavors
- Seasonal limited editions
- Global flavor influences
One thing’s for sure – whatever wild new chicken sandwich concept Popeyes debuts next will have fans racing to get their hands on it before supplies run out!
Final Thoughts: Get ‘Em While They’re Hot!
The Golden BBQ Chicken Sandwich is available now at participating Popeyes locations nationwide, so you can actually go try this one today.
As for future limited editions like the Tequila Don Julio sandwich, follow Popeyes on social media and be ready to move FAST when they announce something new.
In the meantime, I’ll be over here dreaming about what flavor combo they’ll surprise us with next. Korean-inspired gochujang? A Nashville hot iteration? Something with ranch and buffalo sauce? The possibilities are endless!
Have you tried either of these new sandwiches? What did you think? And what flavor would you love to see Popeyes tackle next? Drop a comment below – I’m curious what other chicken sandwich fanatics think!
Bacon & Cheese Chicken Sandwich
When Popeyes permanently added its Blackened Chicken Sandwich to the menu in 2023, it also announced that customers can customize any of the chain’s sandwiches with the addition of applewood-smoked bacon and Havarti cheese. I ordered this sandwich in the Classic variety, which included the chain’s famous fried chicken breast, mayo, and pickles on a brioche bun. This sandwich cost me $7.49—almost three dollars more than the other five sandwiches I tried.
The look: This sandwich was fully loaded, presenting a variety of textures, from crispy breaded chicken to creamy mayo to crunchy pickles. Then, there was the pale, holey Havarti cheese, which was slightly translucent, appearing somewhat plastic-like—and not the most appetizing.
The taste: Although the bacon and cheese are intended to offer extra flavor, I found these add-ons unnecessary. The Havarti cheese was extremely mild in taste, solely providing a slightly gooey consistency to the sandwich. Meanwhile, the bacon just added unwanted saltiness and wasn’t particularly crispy. (However, this could also be due to to this sandwich sitting out for a while). Take the bacon and cheese away, and you’ve got yourself a sandwich that is flavorful enough on its own, thanks to the fried chicken, slightly sweet brioche bun, and pickles.
Like the Spicy Blackened Chicken Sandwich, this menu item features Poeyes’ spicy mayo and pickles on a brioche bun. I picked up one of these sandwiches for $4.99.
The look: Out of all four sandwiches, this one had a notably larger chicken filet with multiple shades of brown that darkened with increased crispiness. The buns had small dollops of spicy mayo that resembled the pale yellow color of honey mustard. Despite its generously toasted appearance, the bun felt a bit soggy.
The taste: While this sandwich certainly packed the heat, it wasn’t overpowering. But maybe this was because I expected it to be spicier. However, the heat did linger in my mouth for several minutes after I finished eating. The pickles helped temper the spice, though I wished there were just a couple more of them. While I enjoyed this sandwich and didn’t have any major complaints, I’d still choose a Classic over this one.
Enter: the Classic. This menu item contains the same ingredients as the Spicy sandwich but swaps out the spicy mayo for the standard white condiment. I purchased this sandwich for $4.99.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e
The look: A bit lackluster. This sandwich was the flattest of the bunch, with mayo spilling out of the sides of the bun. However, I was still drawn in by craggly, crunchy texture of the chicken’s crispy breading.
The taste: This was the first Popeyes chicken sandwich I tried—and it didn’t disappoint. While the soft brioche bun was on the greasy side (which was the case with all of the sandwiches), the flavor made up for this quality, presenting the same subtle sweetness I enjoyed with the other sandwiches’ buns. And, as with the other options, the pickles provided a delicious burst of sour flavor that just made me want more of them. The chicken was savory without being too salty, and while I did wish for slightly more crispiness, this Popeyes chicken sandwich was still a solid option overall. However, there was still one more sandwich I’d reach for before this one.
Spicy Blackened Chicken Sandwich
The Spicy Blackened Chicken Sandwich sets itself apart from the Classic version by featuring spicy mayo instead of the standard condiment. Like the Classic, this sandwich cost me $4.99.
The look: This spicy sandwich contained dollops of pale yellow spicy mayo on both the bottom and top of the toasted brioche bun. However, this sandwich had far less of the spread than the regular Blackened Chicken Sandwich. Then came the two pickles and the unbreaded golden-brown chicken breast, which had some crispy bits.
The taste: While this was still noticeably salty like the Classic Blackened Chicken Sandwich, the spicy mayo did offer some additional heat to slightly distract from the saltiness. Plus, I will always opt for a spicy, flavored mayo over the plain variety. That being said, the spicy condiment wasn’t enough. While this sandwich was better, its higher ranking is mostly due to the more even distribution of ingredients.
How Chick Fila Workers was when they heard about the New Popeyes Sandwich
FAQ
How good is the pickle glaze sandwich?
The pickle-flavored glaze is, in fact, quite zesty and very, very good! Flecked with dill, it has a light, vinegary tang that pairs beautifully with the buttery brioche bun. You can get boneless wings tossed in this glaze, too, if you’re in the mood for nothing but chicken.
What is the famous Popeyes chicken sandwich called?
Classic Chicken Sandwich. A juicy chicken breast fillet marinated in Popeyes seasonings, hand battered and breaded in our buttermilk system, fried until golden brown. Sandwiched between two buttery toasted brioche buns, topped with our barrel cured pickle slices and classic mayo.
What is the new McChicken sandwich?
… April 22, fans of America’s most popular fast food joint will have two more chicken sandwich deliciousness to choose from: the Bacon Cajun Ranch McCrispy …Apr 17, 2024