Chicken has long been America’s favorite animal protein, surpassing beef in 1992, according to the Department of Agriculture. But beef remains king in restaurants, where Americans ordered 9 billion hamburgers alone between July 2013 and July 2014, according to NPD’s SupplyTrack.
By comparison, Americans ordered 2.4 billion servings of the most popular chicken menu item — the breaded chicken sandwich — during that time. Both burger and breaded chicken sandwich orders grew 3 percent during the same time period, according to NPD.
Still, chicken’s health halo gives it an advantage these days, as consumers watch their diets more carefully than in the past, Annie Roberts, vice president of NPD SupplyTrack, said in a press release.
“Among the factors driving the increase in breaded chicken sandwich orders from a consumer standpoint is the perception of chicken, breaded or not, being a better-for-you option,” Roberts said.
Also, beef prices are expected to stay high for at least the next couple of years, as producers move to rebuild herds that were culled during recent years of drought. Chicken prices, meanwhile, are expected to remain relatively stable partly due to good corn harvests this summer, as commodity expert John Barone reported at MUFSO this year.
In recent months, restaurants have added a wide range of chicken items — both healthful and indulgent — to their menus.
In the breaded chicken sandwich category, Jack in the Box added a Chick-n-Tater Melt as a permanent breakfast item at participating restaurants in its 2,251-unit domestic system. The sandwich, priced at $4, is a fried chicken patty, hash browns, bacon, ranch sauce and three types of cheese, served on a croissant.
Dunkin’ Donuts introduced a Snack N’ Go Chicken Wrap at its 7,677 domestic locations. The wrap has breaded chicken with ranch sauce, a slice of bacon and white Cheddar cheese, wrapped in a flour tortilla, and priced at a suggested $1.99.
In September, Sonic Drive-In offered a Cheesy Pub Chicken Sandwich for a limited time. The sandwich was topped with Cheddar cheese sauce, sliced white Cheddar cheese, caramelized onion sauce, lettuce and tomato, and priced around $4.50, depending on the location. The sandwich was served on a whole-grain ciabatta bun, and was available with breaded or grilled chicken breast.
White Castle also gives guests a choice between grilled or breaded chicken with its Chicken Italiano Slider. Available at its 400 units through mid-November, the chicken is covered with mozzarella sauce and a slice of mozzarella cheese, and priced at $1.49-$1.69.
In the grilled chicken category, Einstein Bros. Bagels introduced two sandwiches to the permanent menu at its 720-locations, both priced at around $7.50 and both with rich toppings. The Bavarian Chicken Sandwich is a grilled chicken breast covered with beer-cheese spread, applewood-smoked bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, red onion and honey mustard, served on a pretzel roll. The Napa Valley Chicken Sandwich has melted Brie, fig jam, red onion, arugula and garlic aïoli on a chicken breast, served on a potato roll.
Hurricane Grill & Wings introduced a lighter grilled chicken sandwich at its 70 locations. The Margarita Jalapeño Chicken is a grilled chicken breast with Monterey Jack cheese, diced tomatoes, red onion and jalapeño pepper, with a sauce of tequila, lime juice, jalapeños and paprika, priced between $9.49 and $9.99. The sandwich can be ordered without the bun and topped with tortilla strips for the same price.
Since the start of football seasons, restaurants have added various chicken wing options to their menus, including the Slow-Smoked Chicken Wings at Sonny’s Real Pit Barb-B-Q. The wings are served with an Alabama-style white sauce made of barbecue seasoning, mayonnaise, buttermilk, cream of tartar, Creole sauce and liquid smoke, and are available at the chain’s 122 location through Oct. 26.
Sonic and Red Robin Gourmet Burgers both introduced breaded, fried boneless wings.
Sonic’s wings are coated with a choice of Buffalo, Asian sweet chile or barbecue sauce, and priced at $3.99 per order. The wings are available through the end of November.
Red Robin serves its wings in a choice of sauce, priced at $5 an order, and available through Nov. 2 at its 477 locations.
Dishes for sharing
(Continued from page 1)
Chains have also recently introduced several shareable chicken items, including Sriracha Chicken Potato Skins, a permanent menu addition at TGI Fridays. They potato skins are topped with diced chicken flavored with Sriracha sauce, topped with Asiago cheese sauce, drizzled with Sriracha aïoli and garnished with green onions. The item is one of the chain’s $10 Endless Appetizers offerings.
Hooter’s offered a Buffalo Chicken Dip through Oct 19, made with shredded chicken, Buffalo sauce and melted cheese, served with seasoned tortilla chips.
Pasta purveyors Fazoli’s and Noodles & Company both add chicken to their macaroni and cheese dishes.
Fazoli’s Chicken Alfredo Bakes are cavatappi pasta with Cheddar cheese and Alfredo sauces; shredded Cheddar, mozzarella and provolone cheeses; diced tomatoes; chicken tenders and broccoli, priced at $6.99. The item is available until Jan. 4, 2015.
Noodles & Company’s version is chicken blended with macaroni and cheese, topped with Parmesan cheese, buffalo sauce, blue cheese crumbles and green onions, priced at $8.49 and available until March 2015.
Contact Bret Thorn at [email protected].
Follow him on Twitter: @foodwriterdiary
