I tried KFC's new fried-chicken-and-doughnut sandwich, and it's a near-perfect answer to the craze over the sold-out Popeyes sandwich

Advertisement
I tried KFC's new fried-chicken-and-doughnut sandwich, and it's a near-perfect answer to the craze over the sold-out Popeyes sandwich

KFC chicken donuts

Advertisement

KFC is testing a "Chicken and Donuts" menu that features pairings of glazed doughnuts and the chain's classic fried chicken.

One of the new menu items is a fried-chicken-and-doughnut sandwich. Customers can also order a basket of fried chicken on the bone or chicken tenders with one or two doughnuts or add a doughnut to any meal for $1.

I tried the new menu at a KFC restaurant in a Chester, Virginia location, and I now think that KFC should make the chicken-and-doughnut sandwich available nationwide.

Here's why:

Advertisement
{{}}

I arrived at a KFC restaurant in Chester, Virginia around lunchtime on Wednesday.

I arrived at a KFC restaurant in Chester, Virginia around lunchtime on Wednesday.

The new menu was prominently advertised on signs outside the restaurant, at the entrance, and at the ordering counter.

The new menu was prominently advertised on signs outside the restaurant, at the entrance, and at the ordering counter.
Advertisement

I ordered a chicken-and-doughnut sandwich combo meal for $7.99 and a three-piece chicken-tender basket with a donut for $5.49.

I ordered a chicken-and-doughnut sandwich combo meal for $7.99 and a three-piece chicken-tender basket with a donut for $5.49.

My order was ready within three minutes. As soon as I opened the box containing the chicken-and-doughnut sandwich, my senses were overwhelmed with an intensely sweet smell of sugar.

My order was ready within three minutes. As soon as I opened the box containing the chicken-and-doughnut sandwich, my senses were overwhelmed with an intensely sweet smell of sugar.
Advertisement

The sandwich was piping hot — too hot to pick up. This is probably because the doughnuts had just come out of the fryer.

The sandwich was piping hot — too hot to pick up. This is probably because the doughnuts had just come out of the fryer.

A KFC representative told Business Insider's Kate Taylor that the doughnuts are shipped to restaurants already cooked.

When a customer orders them, the doughnuts are dipped in fryers and glazed.

Once the sandwich had cooled down a bit, I took a bite.

Once the sandwich had cooled down a bit, I took a bite.
Advertisement

The savory flavoring of the chicken overpowered the sweetness of the doughnut in the best possible way.

The savory flavoring of the chicken overpowered the sweetness of the doughnut in the best possible way.

The doughnut acted as a honey-sweet accent to the chicken, which was the main event.

The doughnut acted as a honey-sweet accent to the chicken, which was the main event.
Advertisement

Next, I tried the chicken-and-doughnut basket.

Next, I tried the chicken-and-doughnut basket.

On their own, the doughnuts were a bit soggy and altogether unremarkable.

On their own, the doughnuts were a bit soggy and altogether unremarkable.
Advertisement

They were denser than a Krispy Kreme doughnut. Their taste resembled a fried-and-glazed potato roll. This consistency and flavor works really well when paired with chicken. But I probably wouldn't order the doughnuts on their own.

They were denser than a Krispy Kreme doughnut. Their taste resembled a fried-and-glazed potato roll. This consistency and flavor works really well when paired with chicken. But I probably wouldn't order the doughnuts on their own.

I came away thinking that the chicken-and-doughnut sandwich could be a real hit, even with doughnuts that on their own are underwhelming.

I came away thinking that the chicken-and-doughnut sandwich could be a real hit, even with doughnuts that on their own are underwhelming.

I might not be alone. One KFC employee said the sandwiches are so popular that they are "flying out the window."

Advertisement

If the recent craze over Popeyes sold-out chicken sandwich is any indication, Americans can't get enough chicken sandwiches. And KFC's chicken-and-doughnut creation would help feed that demand in a new and different way.

If the recent craze over Popeyes sold-out chicken sandwich is any indication, Americans can't get enough chicken sandwiches. And KFC's chicken-and-doughnut creation would help feed that demand in a new and different way.
Next StoryBeyond Meat slides the most in a month after Tim Hortons pulls its breakfast sandwiches out of stores