- KFC launched a new sandwich called the Crispy Colonel on Monday.
- The Crispy Colonel draws inspiration from both Chick-fil-A's iconic sandwich and more traditional fast-food chains.
- We tried both sandwiches and were shocked by KFC's ability to step up its sandwich game.
KFC has a new weapon against Chick-fil-A.
On Monday, KFC debuted the "Crispy Colonel": an extra-crispy chicken sandwich with mayo and pickles. The Crispy Colonel comes in four flavors — classic, Smoky Mountain BBQ, Nashville Hot, and Georgia Gold honey mustard BBQ.
The new sandwich line up gives KFC the chance to compete with Chick-fil-A, a chain that's increasingly dominating the US on the strength of its sandwich, as well as burger-centric fast-food chains with chicken sandwiches on the menu.
"I really believe this chicken sandwich will be differentiated and superior to anything else on the market, because of how we're preparing it and how piping-hot fresh it's going to be," KFC's CMO Andrea Zahumensky told Business Insider.
We weren't immediately convinced of KFC's ability to triumph over rival chicken chains. Chick-fil-A's sandwich is a heavy-weight competitor, dominating all the taste tests Business Insider has thrown at it. So, we decided to try out the two sandwiches out for ourselves.
Here's how KFC's new chicken sandwich compares with Chick-fil-A's iconic menu item.
SEE ALSO: KFC is making an unprecedented move to take on Chick-fil-A and McDonald's
The Crispy Colonel features a craggy chicken filet — a familiar sight for any KFC customer who has ordered the crispy chicken at the chain. The fillet is well-sized, peeking out from the bun without hulking out into a dish that more closely resembles a slab of meat than a sandwich.
The chicken is standard KFC fare, with the extra-crispy filet admirably creating a nice crunch. If you're a fan of the 11 original herbs and spices, you'll find that flavor replicated here. The fillet is both hearty and avoids any dryness — a common trap for fast-food fried chicken .
KFC also makes the right choice by eschewing the fast-food fried chicken sandwich go-to of tomato and limp lettuce in favor of Chick-fil-A's standard pickle, as well as mayo. The pickle perfectly cuts through the crispy chicken and the light mayo holds things together without drowning the sandwich. The weakest link is the bun, which is forgettable and slightly dry.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider