For the first time ever, Applebee’s is introducing three brand-new hand-breaded chicken sandwiches to the menu. And in case you’re confused, no, they are not breaded chicken hands, they’re chicken sandwiches that are breaded by hand. I understand that could be confusing.
The new menu includes breaded chicken breasts on brioche buns, but have three different “flavor profiles,” per PR provided to Guilty Eats by the brand.
“Get ready to fall in love with our gold-standard, NEW Hand-Breaded Chicken Sandwiches,” said Chef Shannon Johnson, Head of Culinary at Applebee’s via a press release provided to Guilty Eats. “Big, bold, juicy – and crispy – these chicken sandwiches are packed with flavor and available in three delicious iterations, sure to satisfy all our guests’ cravings. Plus, if you loved our Whole Lotta Bacon Burger, be sure to try our NEW Bacon Cheddar Crispy Chicken Sandwich to get your tangy bacon sauce fix!”
First up is the Bacon Cheddar Crispy Chicken Sandwich, which is only available for a limited time at $13.99. Beyond the chicken breast and bun, as mentioned, it’s got two slices of Cheddar cheese, two strips of Applewood-smoked bacon, tangy bacon sauce, lettuce, tomato and pickles. A classic bacon and chicken sandwich right there, and I’ll be the first to admit I am intrigued by anything that works the words “bacon” and “sauce” next to wach other.
Next up is the Bacon Ranch Crispy Chicken Sandwich, which has the chicken breast, two strips of bacon, house-made ranch, pickles and lettuce on a bun. Again, a classic here, nice and simple, and it is just now occurring to me halfway through writing this article that the framing here is more about Applebee’s entering the chicken sandwich wars begun by fast-food chains like Popeyes and McDonald’s, but sadly it’s too late to change course from the confusing “chicken hands” joke I started with. I really wish someone would invent a delete key already, that would help me sound less insane in these pieces!
Last but certainly not least is the Sweet & Spicy Crispy Chicken Sandwich, which has – once again – the hand-breaded chicken breast, but this time it’s slathered in Sweet Asian Chile sauce, and is topped with coleslaw on a Brioche bun. This also sounds good. I would eat all three of these sandwiches! Heck, maybe I will.
In addition to the new line of hand-breaded sandwiches, the chain is also offering seven "Late Night Half Price Appetizers" which are available for half-off the regular price: Boneless Wings, Mozzarella Sticks, Chicken Wonton Tacos, Chicken Quesadilla, Brew Pub Pretzels and Beer Cheese Dip, Spinach and Artichoke Dip, and Brew Pub Loaded Waffle Fries.
That’ll leave plenty of money left over on hand – not breaded hand! – to snag some chicken sandwiches. The new sammies and half-priced apps are in stores now. Oh wait, there's the delete key.