- I tried every item on Popeyes' new pickle menu, which launched on April 1.
- The lineup includes a new chicken sandwich, wings, fried pickles, and a pickle-flavored lemonade.
- The limited-time menu should be a permanent addition.
Popeyes' new pickle menu is no April Fool's joke.
Launched on April 1, the menu features pickle-flavored versions of the chain's most beloved items, from a chicken sandwich coated in a pickle glaze to a tart, pickle-flavored lemonade.
The limited-time offer menu is an opportunity for the brand to experiment with trends, and pickles have been on the rise for some time.
"We just think going all in on these flavors and having a lot of fun with it will help us resonate with that younger audience," Popeyes chief marketing officer Bart LaCount told Business Insider in a video interview.
LaCount said if the menu is popular enough, it could become a permanent addition. There's no specific end date for the menu, but it’s typical for limited-time offers to be available for weeks at a time.
"It's something we've seen from a culinary standpoint that's been trending for a bit now," LaCount said of the pickle trend.
I tried the entire pickle menu for myself to see whether it's worth a permanent spot on Popeyes' menu.
The menu features a chicken sandwich covered in a pickle-flavored glaze.
It cost $5.49, excluding tax, at the location I visited.
The glaze was like a sweet and spicy rub.
The sandwich was also topped with the chain's signature pickle slices.
The sandwich had a briny, slightly spicy flavor to it.
The dill pickle flavor really popped, and the slightly spicy glaze, which was more of an oil than a sauce, was balanced out by the moist, crispy chicken breast. The bun also toned down the heat, while the thickly cut pickles added even more briny flavor and a nice crunch.
This sandwich improved on both the original and spicy Popeyes chicken sandwich. I'd definitely order it again.
Next I tried the fried pickles, which can be ordered as a side in meal combos.
The fried pickles cost $3.49, excluding tax.
I paired the pickles with the chain's buttermilk ranch dipping sauce.
I'd never had fried pickles at a fast-food chain before, so I was eager to see if I preferred these over other Popeyes sides like the Cajun fries or mac and cheese.
The pickles were tart and evenly fried.
The pickles were crispy but still moist. There was an even layer of breading on the pickle slices, but not so much that it overpowered the tart, briny flavor of the pickles.
The pickles tasted great on their own, but I also liked them paired with the ranch.
The wings were coated in a sticky-sweet sauce that blew me away.
The thick glaze clung to the crispy wings in an even coating. The flavor profile was surprisingly spicy, but not too hot that it was overwhelming. The meat inside was juicy, and I couldn't believe how much flavor was packed into such a small bite.
Out of all the items I tried, this is the one I'll be ordering again.
The pickle glaze also tracks with food trends that are resonating with Gen Z, such as sweet and spicy combinations.
Overall, I was impressed by the new menu and hope it sticks around.
The pickle items have the potential to reach scores of people who love briny flavor profiles — especially Gen Z, which is a target audience for the pickle menu, according to LaCount.
I was genuinely impressed by the menu. In fact, it's the first Popeyes release that has truly excited me since the viral relaunch of its chicken sandwich in 2019, which sparked the infamous "chicken sandwich wars."
While a "pickle war" may not be on the horizon, I can say I'd be first in line to defend these pickle-glazed wings.
