Popeyes releases new Ghost pepper chicken sandwich

Popeyes made waves in 2019 with its Chicken Sandwich, igniting a fast-food frenzy that saw stores selling out, shortages lasting for weeks, and the chain’s quarterly earnings skyrocketing. Now, Popeyes is back with a new twist on its iconic sandwich: the Ghost Pepper Chicken Sandwich, available nationwide for a limited time starting today.

This latest offering retains the core components that made the original so popular — a buttermilk-battered chicken breast, pickles, and a buttery brioche bun — but adds a kick with Popeyes’ brand-new Ghost Pepper Sauce. Infused with chiles, the sauce provides a bold flavor, but Popeyes assures customers it offers “just the right kick to make your taste buds tingle without overwhelming the senses.” In other words, it’s “scary good, but not scary spicy.”

Fast-food chains have increasingly embraced ghost pepper flavors in recent years, often timed to coincide with Halloween. Burger King introduced Ghost Pepper Chicken Fries and the Ghost Pepper Whopper last October, while Dunkin’ debuted a Spicy Ghost Pepper Doughnut in 2020. Even Baskin-Robbins joined in, offering ghost pepper ice cream as part of its 2022 Spicy ’n Spooky menu.

While many brands lean into fiery descriptions to market their ghost pepper items, Popeyes is taking a different approach by emphasizing that its sandwich will deliver heat without being overly spicy. This could make it more appealing to customers who enjoy a little heat but don’t want to be overwhelmed by spice.

The Ghost Pepper Chicken Sandwich is the latest variation in Popeyes’ ongoing lineup of innovative twists on the original, joining past creations like the BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken Sandwich, Buffalo Ranch Chicken Sandwich, and Spicy Truff Chicken Sandwich.

With its new take on heat, Popeyes is once again giving fans something to savor — just in time for the Halloween season.