KFC (Finally) Brought Back This Classic Fan-Favorite

One of the downsides of fast food is that things can become your favorite menu item and then they can disappear with no warning (looking at you Taco Bell, give me back the cheesy potato burrito). We see favorites that are seasonal, too―like the Shamrock Shake or the McRib at McDonald’s. We’re used to limited time items and fan favorites that have been staples leaving for less popular options. But it doesn’t mean we have to be happy about it. I will always be the first to complain when a place discontinues popular menu items (again, looking at you Taco Bell, you know what you did). 

Videos by Sporked

That said, this may be the press release I was most excited to see pop up in my email. For once, there’s a returning menu item that I am beyond thrilled about. I am quite literally the direct audience for this announcement and I’m now reassured to know that I’m was never alone in mourning the loss of a certain menu item. We can finally rejoice, KFC has announced the official return of Popcorn Chicken.

Popcorn Chicken Is Back

That’s right. The delectable, poppable little bites of chicken breaded in KFC’s signature blend of spices is finally back after being rudely removed from the menu in 2023. (I was big mad. I loved the popcorn chicken for a snack if I wasn’t super hungry and needed a little protein kick.)

“For years, KFC has heard directly from fans clamoring for Popcorn Chicken’s return. We read every comment, every DM, and even every online petition signature, and the message was impossible to ignore,” said Melissa Cash, Chief Marketing Officer, KFC U.S. 

It was me. I was clamoring for the chicken. I never knew there were petitions though. I would have for sure signed them though. This is a move from KFC showing that they’re open to working with fans to innovate the menu while still upholding the nostalgia of old menu items. 

Everything We Know

You can get your Popcorn Chicken served up in four different ways: a 6oz offering of just the chicken, a $10 16oz bucket of Popcorn Chicken (I would smash this), and two meal offerings for people who aren’t as feral for chicken and want a more rounded meal. These last meals are the Popcorn Chicken Big Box (6 oz. of Popcorn Chicken, 2 Original Recipe Tenders, a medium order of fries, a medium drink, 2 dipping sauces, and a chocolate chunk cookie) and a Popcorn Chicken Combo (6oz of Popcorn Chicken, a medium order of fries, a medium drink, and 1 dipping sauce).

No matter how you order your Popcorn Chicken, the point is: you can. KFC leaned into the nostalgia trend while also giving the people what we’ve wanted. I personally can’t wait to see if they’re still as good as I remember or if they’ve changed the recipe. There’s no word yet on whether or not popcorn chicken will become a permanent menu item again. So for those of us who patiently awaited this return, we’ve got to grab a bucket while we can.