KFC is picking a fight.
Seriously. If you’ve driven past a KFC lately, you might have noticed they’ve basically declared war on every other chicken joint in town. They aren’t just selling "strips" anymore. They’ve completely overhauled their lineup with the KFC new chicken tenders, and honestly, it’s about time. For years, the brand was kind of coasting on that "Extra Crispy" breading for their boneless stuff, while the legendary Original Recipe—the one with the 11 herbs and spices—was reserved for the bone-in chicken.
That changed.
The big shift here isn’t just a marketing gimmick; it’s a total change in how they cook the meat. They’ve moved the tenders over to the pressure-frying system. That’s the same tech Colonel Sanders perfected decades ago. If you’ve ever wondered why the bone-in breast is so juicy but the old tenders sometimes felt like eating a salted flip-flop, that’s why. Pressure frying locks in moisture. Normal open frying lets it escape.
Why the "New" Tenders Aren't Just the Old Strips
Most people assume KFC just renamed their old chicken strips to sound fresh. They didn't.
Previously, if you ordered a tender, you were getting a piece of chicken that was breaded in the "Extra Crispy" flour and dropped into an open deep fryer. It was crunchy, sure, but it lacked that specific, savory depth that makes KFC, well, KFC. The KFC new chicken tenders are double hand-breaded in the actual Original Recipe seasoning.
It’s a subtle distinction that makes a massive difference in your mouth.
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You’ve got that soft, almost pillowy breading that sticks to the meat instead of shattering off in giant shards. It’s herbaceous. You can actually see the flecks of pepper and whatever those other ten secret ingredients are (probably thyme, celery salt, and a prayer).
The $5 Battle and the "Comeback" Strategy
The price point is where things get interesting from a business perspective. KFC launched these with a $5 Tenders Box. You get three tenders, a side of Secret Recipe Fries, and two dipping sauces.
In 2026, finding a full meal for five bucks is basically like finding a unicorn in a drive-thru.
They are clearly gunning for Raising Cane’s. It’s not even a secret. They even call it a "Box," and they introduced a new "Comeback Sauce" that is a blatant—and fairly decent—attempt to replicate that tangy, peppery dipping sauce Cane’s fans obsess over.
Is it better?
That depends on what you value. Cane’s has that "melt-in-your-mouth" texture because they marinate their chicken until it’s basically structural liquid. KFC’s new version has more "bite." It feels like real muscle fiber. Plus, the KFC seasoning is objectively more complex. Cane’s chicken is, let's be real, a delivery vehicle for the sauce. KFC’s tenders actually taste like something on their own.
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What’s Actually in These Things?
If you’re the type who reads labels, here’s the deal. These are made from real white meat chicken breast or tenderloins. They aren't "formed" nuggets. However, they do contain a solution of water, seasoning, and salt (about 20% to 25%) to keep them moist during that high-pressure fry.
The breading includes:
- Wheat flour
- Salt and spices (the "Secret 11")
- Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)—yes, the flavor enhancer that makes everything delicious
- Nonfat milk solids and egg white solids
It’s a classic breading setup. The inclusion of MSG is a hallmark of the Original Recipe flavor profile. If you have a sensitivity to it, you’ve probably been skipping KFC anyway, but for everyone else, it’s why your brain screams "more" after the first bite.
The Real-World Verdict: Hits and Misses
I’ve seen a lot of chatter on Reddit and from food reviewers like The Takeout and Allrecipes about the size consistency.
This is the "your mileage may vary" part of the story.
Some people are getting massive, three-bite tenders that look like they came from a prehistoric bird. Others are opening their boxes to find tiny, shriveled "popcorn-plus" pieces. This usually comes down to the individual franchise and how well the staff is following the "double hand-breading" protocol. If they don't bread them right, or if they sit in the warming tray for two hours, they’re going to be sad.
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Also, a quick note on the fries. The "Secret Recipe Fries" are heavily seasoned. When you pair them with the KFC new chicken tenders, the salt levels can get... intense. If you’re watching your sodium, this meal is basically your entire weekly allowance in one sitting. But hey, you didn't go to KFC for a salad.
The New Sauce Lineup
You can't talk about the tenders without the sauce. The new Comeback Sauce is the star here. It’s zesty, creamy, and has a peppery kick that lingers. It’s much better than the standard honey mustard or BBQ options if you want something that actually complements the 11 herbs and spices.
They also have "Sticky Chicky," which is a sweet and sour vibe with pineapple and chili. It’s fine, but it kind of masks the flavor of the Original Recipe breading. If you’re paying for the 11 herbs and spices, why drown them in pineapple juice?
How to Get the Best Experience
If you're going to try the KFC new chicken tenders, don't just wing it.
- Go during the lunch or dinner rush. I know, it sounds counterintuitive because of the lines. But in the world of fried chicken, high turnover means fresh chicken. You want these tenders when they are 5 minutes out of the pressure fryer, not 45.
- Use the app. Right now, in early 2026, KFC is doing "Sundays by KFC" and "$10 Tuesdays." You can often snag an 8-piece bucket of just tenders for ten bucks on Tuesdays. It’s a way better value than the individual meals.
- Check the "Box" deals. The $5 box is the "entry-level" lure, but keep an eye out for the "Taste of KFC" deals that rotate. Sometimes you can swap the fries for mashed potatoes and gravy at no extra charge, which, honestly, is the superior way to eat at KFC anyway.
The "Chicken Sandwich Wars" might be over, but the "Tender Wars" are just heating up. KFC finally brought their best weapon—the Original Recipe—to the fight. It’s not a perfect product, and the consistency can be a gamble, but when it’s fresh, it’s arguably the most flavorful tender in the fast-food game right now.
Go for the $5 box to test the waters. If you get a good batch, you’ll see why they finally ditched the old strips. If you get a bad batch, well, at least you only spent five bucks and got some decent fries out of it.