Limited-time offerWhile supplies last
Shake Shack · Butter Chicken Sandwich
A crispy chicken breast sandwich with Asha's butter chicken sauce, pickled red onions, lettuce, a drizzle of cream, and cilantro.
Every crispy chicken menu item, by chain and by year
Which US restaurant chains put crispy chicken on the menu, when each launch ran, and who got there first.
Key data
MenuLaunches has tracked 16 crispy chicken menu launches across 7 US restaurant chains between 2026 and 2026, peaking in 2026-10. The chains that use it most are Shake Shack, Taco Bell, Chili's Grill & Bar, Slim Chickens.
- Launches
- 16
- Chains
- 7
- Years covered
- 2026–2026
- Peak month
- 2026-10
Launches by month
When chains actually put this on the menu.
- 126-08
- 626-09
- 926-10
Who launched crispy chicken first in 2026
Ordered by announce date.
| # | Chain | Item | Announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taco Bell | Naked Chicken Chalupa | August 24, 2026 |
| 2 | Hardee's | Bacon Beast Chicken Sandwich | September 10, 2026 |
| 3 | Jack in the Box | Double Chicken Sandwich of Terror | September 11, 2026 |
| 4 | Del Taco | Flamin' Hot Queso Crispy Chicken Burrito | September 17, 2026 |
| 5 | Slim Chickens | Dr Pepper Blasted | September 17, 2026 |
| 6 | Taco Bell | Crispy Chicken Soft Taco | September 19, 2026 |
| 7 | Taco Bell | Crispy Chicken Roll Up | September 19, 2026 |
| 8 | Slim Chickens | Dr Pepper Blasted Tender Bites | October 6, 2026 |
| 9 | Chili's Grill & Bar | Chicken Parm Big Crispy | October 13, 2026 |
| 10 | Taco Bell | Baja Crispy Chicken Soft Taco | October 19, 2026 |
All launches
Limited-time offerWhile supplies last
Shake Shack · Butter Chicken Bites
Crispy white-meat chicken pieces coated in butter chicken sauce and finished with cream and cilantro.
Test marketWhile supplies last
Taco Bell · Baja Crispy Chicken Burritos
A burrito featuring crispy chicken as part of the new Baja Chicken menu test in Sacramento.
Test marketWhile supplies last$9.99
Taco Bell · Baja Crispy Chicken Soft Taco Combo
A combo meal being tested that includes two Baja Crispy Chicken Soft Tacos, Nacho Fries, and a large fountain drink.
Test marketWhile supplies last
Taco Bell · Cantina Baja Crispy Chicken Bowl
A bowl with crispy chicken, creamy Baja Sauce, Baja Slaw made from purple cabbage and cilantro in a poblano Baja-style dressing, shredded cheddar cheese, and pico de gallo.
New permanentPermanent
Chili's Grill & Bar · Big Crispy
A fried chicken sandwich introduced to compete in the fast-food chicken sandwich category, available in six different variations.
Test marketWhile supplies last$9.99
Taco Bell · Baja Crispy Chicken Soft Taco
A soft taco featuring crispy chicken, Baja Sauce, purple cabbage slaw, cheddar cheese, and daily pico de gallo, part of a test combo in Sacramento.
Limited-time offerWhile supplies last
Chili's Grill & Bar · Chicken Parm Big Crispy
A chicken sandwich topped with crispy fried chicken and fried mozzarella planks layered with marinara sauce, served with fries, white cheddar mac and cheese, and sides of marinara and house-made ranch dressing. Rolls out nationwide a week after a limited city debut.
New permanentPermanent
Slim Chickens · Dr Pepper Blasted Tender Bites
Bite-sized chicken pieces coated in a dry rub flavored with Dr Pepper, applied after frying to keep the coating crispy.
Test marketWhile supplies last$2.29
Taco Bell · Crispy Chicken Roll Up
A crispy-fried chicken strip coated in a tortilla chip breading, rolled up with a 3-cheese blend and Avocado Ranch Sauce inside a warm flour tortilla, then grilled.
Test marketWhile supplies last$2.99
Taco Bell · Crispy Chicken Soft Taco
A crispy-fried chicken strip coated in a tortilla chip breading, shredded cheddar cheese, diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, and Avocado Ranch Sauce served on a warm flour tortilla.
New permanentUntil Nov 16
Slim Chickens · Dr Pepper Blasted
A dry seasoning made with Dr Pepper's 23 flavors, dusted by hand onto Slim Chickens' hand-breaded chicken tenders, tender bites, or wings after frying, at no additional charge.
Limited-time offerUntil Nov 18
Del Taco · Flamin' Hot Queso Crispy Chicken Burrito
Crispy chicken strips, Crinkle Cut fries, Flamin' Hot flavored queso, fresh house-grated cheddar cheese, and sour cream wrapped in a warm flour tortilla.
Limited-time offerWhile supplies last$5.99
Jack in the Box · Double Chicken Sandwich of Terror
A Halloween-themed chicken sandwich with lettuce, tomato, and cheese, served with a Spooky Simpsons Sauce, a smoky barbecue ketchup, part of the Munchie Meal of Horror collab with The Simpsons.
New permanentPermanent
Hardee's · Bacon Beast Chicken Sandwich
A hand-breaded, white-meat chicken breast filet with four slices of smoked bacon, tomato, lettuce, and mayo, served on a buttered brioche-style bun.
Limited-time offerEnded Sep 15$5.99
Taco Bell · Naked Chicken Chalupa
A crispy-fried, white-meat chicken taco shell filled with shredded cheddar cheese, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and Avocado Ranch Sauce, part of Taco Bell's Decades throwback menu of 2016 favorites.