Church’s Texas Chicken has delighted customers for decades with its classic fried chicken and biscuits. While these staples remain popular, the restaurant chain continues to innovate and expand its menu offerings.
Church’s Texas Chicken has introduced several new menu items that have caught customers by surprise, generating buzz and excitement among patrons. These unexpected additions showcase the brand’s commitment to culinary creativity while staying true to its Southern roots. From unique flavor combinations to reimagined classics, these menu items have piqued the interest of both loyal fans and new customers alike.
1) Spicy Jalapeño Bombers
Church’s Texas Chicken surprised customers with their Jalapeño Cheese Bombers. These appetizers feature a crunchy exterior that gives way to a soft, creamy center.
Filled with jalapeño bits and melted cheddar cheese, the Bombers offer a spicy kick alongside rich, savory flavors. The contrasting textures create an intriguing eating experience.
Customers can order Jalapeño Bombers in various sizes, including 5-piece, 10-piece, and 20-piece options. This allows diners to choose portions that suit their preferences or group size.
The Bombers have become a popular side dish, often paired with Church’s signature chicken items. Their unique flavor profile sets them apart from traditional sides like fries or biscuits.
For those seeking a portable option, Church’s offers a Jalapeño Cheese Bombers Tender Wrap. This menu item combines the spicy appetizer with chicken tenders in a convenient handheld format.
2) Honey Butter Biscuits
Church’s Texas Chicken’s Honey Butter Biscuits have become a beloved menu item, surprising customers with their irresistible flavor and texture. These golden, flaky biscuits are made from scratch in small batches throughout the day at each restaurant location.
The biscuits are drizzled with honey butter, creating a perfect balance of sweet and savory. Their popularity has led Church’s to serve millions of these biscuits annually, cementing their status as a fan favorite.
Originally, the Honey Butter Biscuits were smaller than the ones served today. However, the recipe has remained unchanged, preserving the taste that customers have come to love over the decades.
The freshness of these biscuits is a key factor in their appeal. By making them multiple times daily, Church’s ensures that customers receive biscuits with an optimal texture and flavor profile.
These biscuits have become such an integral part of the Church’s Texas Chicken experience that they are now considered a signature item alongside the restaurant’s famous fried chicken.
3) Smokehouse Chicken
Church’s Texas Chicken introduced Smokehouse Chicken as a limited-time menu item that caught customers off guard with its unique flavor profile. This dish features chicken coated in a smoky bourbon black pepper sauce, offering a departure from the chain’s traditional crispy fried chicken.
The Smokehouse Chicken meal typically includes a half chicken, creamy mashed potatoes, and a Honey-Butter Biscuit. The sweet and smoky combination surprised many patrons who were accustomed to Church’s classic offerings.
Available across multiple states, this menu item showcases Church’s efforts to expand its flavor range. The bourbon black pepper sauce adds a sophisticated touch to the familiar comfort food, appealing to those seeking bolder tastes.
Customer reactions to Smokehouse Chicken have been largely positive. Many appreciate the balance between the smoky sauce and the juicy chicken. The dish has become popular enough to warrant periodic returns to the menu.
Church’s decision to introduce Smokehouse Chicken demonstrates the brand’s willingness to experiment with new flavors while maintaining its core identity as a fried chicken establishment.
4) Texas Tenders
Church’s Texas Chicken introduced Texas Tenders as a permanent menu item in January 2021. These tenders are made from 100% chicken breast, hand-breaded and cooked to crispy perfection.
Texas Tenders are available in both original and spicy flavors. Customers can order them as part of a combo meal, which includes a side, a Honey-Butter Biscuit, and a drink.
For those looking for variety, Church’s offers a Tenders ‘N Shrimp meal. This limited-time combo features two Texas Tenders, four Crispy Shrimp, fries, a Honey-Butter Biscuit, and cocktail sauce.
The addition of Texas Tenders to the menu came after the successful launch of Church’s Chicken Sandwich in 2020. This move aimed to meet the growing demand for high-quality boneless chicken options and convenient on-the-go meals.
Customers can enjoy Texas Tenders through various ordering methods, including drive-thru, carry-out, and the Order Ahead option. The versatility and quality of these tenders have made them a popular choice among Church’s patrons.
5) Peach Cobbler
Church’s Texas Chicken introduced a dessert that caught many customers off guard – the Peach Cobbler. This sweet treat features the chain’s signature Honey-Butter Biscuit as its base, creating an unexpected twist on a classic Southern dessert.
The biscuit is topped with a generous portion of warm, sliced peaches in a spiced cobbler filling. The combination of the buttery biscuit and sweet, tangy peaches offers a unique texture and flavor profile that sets it apart from traditional peach cobblers.
At just 370 calories, this dessert provides a relatively lighter option compared to some other fast food sweets. Church’s Peach Cobbler is typically priced around $2.79, though prices may vary by location.
The Peach Cobbler has become a seasonal favorite, often reappearing on the menu during summer months. Its limited-time availability adds to its appeal, with customers eagerly anticipating its return each year.
To complement the dessert, Church’s has also offered Peach Perfect Tea and Peach Perfect Lemonade as seasonal beverage options. These drinks provide a refreshing pairing with the warm cobbler.
History of Church’s Texas Chicken
Church’s Texas Chicken has a rich history spanning over 70 years. The brand evolved from a small local eatery to a global fast-food powerhouse, expanding its menu and reach along the way.
Origins and Evolution
George W. Church Sr. opened the first Church’s Fried Chicken To-Go in San Antonio, Texas in 1952. The original restaurant was located across from the Alamo, offering a simple menu of fried chicken and rolls. Two pieces of chicken with a roll cost just 49 cents.
In 1955, Church’s added fries and jalapeños to its menu, beginning a tradition of menu innovation. The brand’s early success led to rapid growth. By 1969, over 100 Church’s restaurants were operating in seven states.
Expansion and Innovation
Church’s went public in 1969, fueling further expansion. Between 1969 and 1974, the chain added 387 new locations. By the end of 1974, Church’s had 487 restaurants across 22 states.
The menu continued to evolve, incorporating new items to meet changing customer tastes. While maintaining its focus on fried chicken, Church’s introduced variations and sides to broaden its appeal. The company’s growth strategy included international expansion, bringing its Texas-style flavors to a global audience.
Today, Church’s Texas Chicken operates thousands of locations worldwide. Its menu now features a mix of classic offerings and modern flavors, reflecting both its heritage and adaptability to current trends.
Customer Reactions and Feedback
Church’s Texas Chicken has introduced several menu items that caught customers by surprise. These offerings sparked conversations about unexpected flavors and unique ingredient pairings.
Unexpected Flavor Profiles
The Honey-Butter Biscuit Tenders left many customers pleasantly surprised. This innovative dish combines the savory taste of chicken tenders with the sweet, buttery flavor of Church’s famous biscuits. Customers praised the balance of flavors, noting how the honey-butter coating complemented the crispy chicken.
Another unexpected hit was the Jalapeño Cheese Bombers. These spicy, cheesy bites offered a kick that many didn’t anticipate from a chicken restaurant. Reviewers often mentioned the perfect blend of heat and creaminess.
The Frosted Honey-Butter Biscuit also garnered attention. This dessert-like twist on a classic side item confused some patrons at first, but quickly won them over with its indulgent sweetness.
Unique Ingredient Combinations
Church’s Bourbon Black Pepper Smokehouse Chicken surprised customers with its bold flavor profile. The combination of bourbon, black pepper, and smoky notes created a taste experience many found refreshing and distinct from typical fast-food fare.
The Flamin’ Honey MegaBites also turned heads. These bite-sized pieces of boneless chicken are tossed in a spicy-sweet glaze, offering a unique flavor fusion. Customers often commented on the unexpected pairing of heat and sweetness.
Mango Habanero Wings emerged as another talked-about item. The tropical sweetness of mango combined with the fiery habanero pepper created a flavor contrast that intrigued many patrons. Some noted it as a welcome departure from traditional buffalo-style wings.