Chick-fil-A Is Bringing Back A Beloved Sandwich–But With A Twist

Chick-fil-A is ready to make your tastebuds dance with the return of a beloved seasonal menu item. Starting August 26, the Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich will make its triumphant return to menus nationwide along with a new offering – the Spicy Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich, which will be available for a limited time at participating restaurants. 

About The Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich

The sandwich features a Chick-fil-A filet drizzled with honey, topped with pimento cheese, and served on a warm, toasted bun with mild pickled jalapeños. And this year – guests have an added choice of the spicy chicken filet. 

“When we released the Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich last fall, not only did we receive overwhelmingly positive feedback, but we also saw our Guests making their own unique twists by swapping the Original filet for the Spicy filet,” says Chick-fil-A chef Stuart Tracy. “They inspired us to officially offer a Spicy version as its own menu item, and we are thrilled to deliver what we know our Guests want more of.”

Tracy tells Southern Living that when it came time to add a “twist” to the sandwich guests loved, they wanted to build on the original, not cover it up, and that the Chick-fil-A culinary team brought “15 or 20 twists on the original” to the table before ultimately deciding on the spicy option.

“It’s such an iconic sandwich, we wanted to add to (the flavor) without distracting from it,” he says of the added heat. “That had long been my secret favorite – I just like spicier stuff – it’s great that we get to present the two side-by-side.”

He adds, “It’s kind of an odd flavor pairing if you haven’t had the sandwich before. It’s different enough to catch your ear – that’s enough to get you to try it.”

The Return of the Banana Pudding Milkshake

The Atlanta-based chicken chain is also bringing back a menu item that hasn’t been seen in 13 years: the Banana Pudding Milkshake.

“It's one of the number one requested and remembered seasonal shakes that we’ve had,” Chick-fil-A Senior Culinary Lead Christy Cook tells Southern Living. “I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve been at a family reunion or someone finds out I work for Chick-fil-A and they say, ‘When is that Banana Pudding Shake coming back?’”

The Banana Pudding Milkshake is made with Chick-fil-A’s signature Icedream® dessert and sweet cream shake base, then mixed with real bananas, banana puree, and vanilla wafer cookie crumbles, all topped with whipped cream and a cherry. 

“The crushed cookie in there is a wonderful textural element,” Cook says.

Cook tells Southern Living she thinks seasonal Chick-fil-A flavors are so popular, because of nostalgia and ingredients.

“(It’s) the limited time element … something about the seasonal nature and the fact that it’s not there all the time,” Cook says of the popularity of Chick-fil-A’s seasonal offerings. “It’s very exciting.”

The New Banana Frosted Coffee

And if the Banana Pudding Milkshake isn’t enough to fill your banana desires, Chick-fil-A will also debut Banana Frosted Coffee, a blend of cold-brewed coffee, the brand’s signature Icedream® dessert, banana and vanilla wafer cookie crumbles. 

“Every decision we make regarding our menu is extremely intentional,” Allison Duncan, Director of Menu and Packaging at Chick-fil-A, says. “While our core products are what our Guests know and love us for, we also like to keep variety and innovation top of mind. Whether we are surprising our Guests with new flavors and offerings or taking classic items and bringing them back with a twist, each menu introduction is made after listening to their needs.”

I Was One Of The First To Try Them – Here's What I Thought

From the minute you open the Spicy Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich box, a tangy spice hits your nose. I know this, because I was one of the first people to try the new sandwich at Chick-fil-A's headquarters in May 2024 prior to the nationwide debut.

Spicy Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich Review

A lover of spice, I opted for the spicy filet and I'm so glad I did. The mix of crunchy filet, tart and hot jalapeños, as well as the creamy pimento cheese, juxtaposed to Chick-fil-A's signature juicy chicken is mouthwatering to say the very least - and no one is more surprised by that than me. When I initially heard about the combination of flavors, it sounded like the spicy filet would make the whole sandwich "too much," but it actually does the opposite. I think the spicy filet option elevates the other flavors in a way the original does not.

Banana Pudding Milkshake Review

When it came to the Banana Pudding Milkshake, I was admittedly skeptical and almost passed. I don’t care for the taste of bananas, so I needed to know: Did it have chunks? Was the banana flavor overpowering? The answer to both is no – and I was shocked by how much I loved the taste. It’s exactly like eating a sweet and creamy banana pudding dessert and Christy was spot-on about the cookie crumbles really bringing the whole shake together.