We all love a KFC - but now Wetherspoon is seeing if it can steal the Colonel's crown. The pub chain has launched a new chicken menu and MyLondon What's On Writer Lea Dzifa Seeberg went to give it a taste.
Wetherspoon has added 14 new items to its menus at locations around the country. Among the returnees are the Tuesday steak club and Thursday Curry Club.
But the everyday menu has had some new additions too. And chicken features prominently.
Read More: Menu change at Wetherspoon pubs sees 14 new items served from tomorrow
There ares four new boneless chicken dishes on the menu so as a self-confessed KFC junkie and Wetherspoon food fan, Lea had to try them all. And she was more than a little surprised at her findings.
Chicken breast bites basket
These little nuggets of delight were everything I want in a piece of chicken. They were an attractive golden colour that instantly made my mouth water and the visibly crispy edges were screaming 'eat me, eat me' in a temptation of Alice in Wonderland-esque proportions. The bites didn't disappoint when I ate one either; the batter was crispier than crisps and the chicken itself was lightly yet perfectly seasoned with salt and pepper, letting the juiciness of the meat speak for itself. It was all elevated by the sticky soy sauce that accompanied it which I would have happily eaten on its own.
Total score: 5/5
Southern-fried chicken strips basket
These southern friend strips might as well have been Kentucky fried - Colonel Sanders would have been proud. The coating was so crunchy my chewing could have been heard all the way from Kentucky and it was so intensely spiced that it briefly got rid of my cold. The spicy mayo paired perfectly with the succulent chicken to create a meal tastier than anything I've had at Wetherspoons before.
Total score: 5/5
Quorn 'no chicken' nuggets basket
I've had lots of bad Quorn in my life but thankfully this was one of the good ones. If done wrong, Quorn tends to go sour and crumbly but this was as close to perfect as you can get without real meat. It was juicy and Wetherspoons have clearly figured out crispy coatings but these nuggets could have done with lots more salt as the sweet chilli dip didn't add much seasoning.
Total score: 4/5
Boneless basket
This basket is a mix of the chicken strips and the chicken breast bites and would be the perfect sharing plate for a couple in disagreement over what form of chicken is the optimal one. But the BBQ sauce that accompanied it was a let down - it tasted primarily like sugar and only took away from the chicken flavour.
Total score: 3/5
The verdict
I'd recommend any of the chicken - or non chicken - on the new Spoons menu with no hesitation. I'm leaning towards the breast bites purely because of that delectable soy sauce but the chicken strips and Quorn would satisfy any KFC aficionado.
