Popeyes Is Releasing a New Version of Its Popular Chicken Sandwich — but With a Much Spicier Sauce

When the Popeyes Chicken Sandwich broke the internet back in 2019, such a fast food sensation had never been seen before on that scale. Stores were sold out everywhere, shortages lasted weeks, and Popeyes’ quarterly earnings projections skyrocketed. 

It’s the stuff of fast food fairy tales, but still, the question became, “Where does the chain go from here?” While the chicken sandwich remains delicious just as it is, a new iteration has arrived to shake things up: the Ghost Pepper Chicken Sandwich is available nationwide starting today for a limited time.

The new Ghost Pepper Chicken Sandwich has all the components customers already love — buttermilk-battered chicken breast, pickles, buttery brioche bun — and it’s topped with Popeyes’ brand-new Ghost Pepper Sauce, infused with chiles for a flavorful kick. However, the chain notes that the sauce offers “just the right kick to make your taste buds tingle without overwhelming the senses.” In other words: “This sandwich is scary good, but not scary spicy!”

Fast food chains have deployed ghost pepper flavor in recent years to cater to heat seekers of all stripes and take advantage of the all-too-perfect Halloween alignment. Last October, Burger King released Ghost Pepper Chicken Fries and a Ghost Pepper Whopper, and in October 2020, even Dunkin’ got in on the ghost pepper craze with a Spicy Ghost Pepper Doughnut featuring a spice blend sprinkled atop strawberry icing. Also in the sweets arena was 2022’s Baskin-Robbins Spicy ‘n Spooky menu featuring ghost pepper ice cream and cake. 

Popeyes emphasizes that the Ghost Pepper Chicken Sandwich will be spicy, but not too spicy — a departure from other brands that denote their ghost pepper items as “fiery,” like Wendy’s, or “not a sandwich for the faint of heart,” like Arby’s. It’s possible that hyperbolic language like that could drive away a certain contingent of curious customers who don’t want to be overwhelmed by spice, and by comparison, the descriptions of the new Popeyes offering sound more inviting. 

From October 7 to 31, Popeyes is also launching a “Chick or Treat” promotion, wherein any purchase of $5 or more entitles the customer to a free Chocolate Chip Biscuit. Whether you place the order in-store, online, or within the Popeyes app, you just have to opt into the promotion to receive the giveaway. There are also two new seasonal drinks available: Apple Cranberry Tea and Apple Cranberry Lemonade. 

The Ghost Pepper Chicken Sandwich is one of many riffs on the famous Southern-style sandwich that sparked an industry shift five years ago. Since then, Popeyes has released variations on the theme that include the BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken Sandwich, the Buffalo Ranch Chicken Sandwich, the Blackened Chicken Sandwich, the Golden BBQ Chicken Sandwich, the Spicy Truff Chicken Sandwich, and more. 

It’s hard to believe this chain was ever known for anything besides its sandwiches, isn’t it?