Food

Chick-fil-A revisits the grill for its new Maple Pepper Bacon Sandwich

The grilled chicken sandwich is in test starting Monday in two markets, while other menu items roll out nationally for summer.
Maple Pepper Bacon Sandwich
The Maple Pepper Bacon Sandwich features grilled chicken and a new maple brioche bun. /Photos courtesy of Chick-fil-A.

Chick-fil-A is testing a new grilled chicken sandwich starting Monday in Indianapolis and Lexington, Ky.

The Maple Pepper Bacon Sandwich is the first to spotlight a grilled chicken filet since the introduction of the Grilled Spicy Deluxe in 2019. The new limited-time sandwich features grilled chicken topped with pepper jack cheese, green leaf lettuce, sweet and spicy pickle chips, and bacon tossed in a brown sugar and pepper blend.

Instead of a traditional bun, Chick-fil-A chef Christy Cook developed a maple brioche bun inspired by a favorite summertime flavor of hers.

“Throughout my childhood, I always loved maple syrup, so I was thrilled to incorporate it into our newest chicken entrée, the Maple Pepper Bacon Sandwich,” Cook said in a statement. “The sweetness of the maple syrup complements the flavors of the grilled chicken and hint of spice from the pepper jack cheese and pickles. Perfect for enjoying on any summer adventure, we hope customers enjoy this latest take on our grilled chicken sandwich.”

Although Chick-fil-A’s original chicken sandwich is based on a lightly breaded crispy chicken breast, grilled chicken sandwiches have evolved on the menu since 1989. The current recipe was introduced 10 years ago and took seven years to perfect, according to the Atlanta-based chicken chain.

The chicken filet is marinated in a blend of sea salt, lemon, garlic and herbs and cooked on a proprietary grill. For the Grilled Spicy Deluxe Sandwich, the marinade is spiked with a bolder seasoning. It was tested in 2017, then reintroduced in 2021 and 2022 as a limited-item offer.

After its test this summer, the Maple Pepper Bacon Sandwich has the potential to return as an LTO in the future.

shake and Sunjoy

Chick-fil-A's seasonal Peach Milkshake and White Peach Sunjoy return for summer. 

Also debuting Monday, this time nationwide, is Chick-fil-A’s Peach Milkshake and White Peach Sunjoy. The milkshake combines the chain’s signature Icedream frozen dessert and peaches, topped off with whipped cream and a cherry. It first launched in 2009 and returns to the menu every summer.

White Peach Sunjoy, another seasonal special first introduced in 2018, blends classic lemonade, sweet iced tea and white peach flavors.  

In more Chick-fil-A menu news, the chain is taking its Spicy Chicken Biscuit national to more than 2,600 restaurant locations.

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