Today, BBQ fans from Memphis, Texas, the Carolinas and Kansas City momentarily paused their barbecue battles to unite over KFC’s newest southern-inspired flavor: Smoky Mountain BBQ fried chicken. The crispy chicken with an undeniably delicious, sweet and smoky BBQ sauce blends recipes from Memphis and the Carolinas, briefly bringing peace to the BBQ belt.
“Our new Smoky Mountain BBQ chicken blends the best flavors from the BBQ belt for a sweet, smoky flavor that everyone can agree on,” said Andrea Zahumensky, CMO, KFC U.S. “And unlike most BBQ, it’s crispy. The combination of KFC’s sweet and smoky BBQ sauce, combined with our Extra Crispy Chicken, creates an unexpected experience.”
Barbecue recipes have strong geographic origins in the U.S. The region known as the barbecue belt stretches across the southern United States, including the Carolinas, Tennessee, Missouri, Kentucky and Texas. Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia and Oklahoma also offer their own unique (often blended) BBQ options.
KFC’s take on the southern mainstay boasts a touch of vinegar to please North Carolinians, a little bit of sweetness for the Kansas City-style faithful and a crispiness that even Memphis dry rub fans will appreciate.
As KFC’s third southern-inspired flavor, Smoky Mountain BBQ joins spicy and smoky Nashville Hot Fried Chicken, and sweet and tangy Georgia Gold honey mustard BBQ in KFC’s Taste of the South menu line up.
Beginning January 29, KFC Smoky Mountain BBQ will be available in participating U.S. restaurants in Extra Crispy™ Tenders, Chicken Littles® and Extra Crispy™ Chicken.
Individual Smoky Mountain BBQ basket meals will be available for $4.99 and include three Extra Crispy™ Tenders or two pieces of Extra Crispy™ Chicken, an individual mashed potatoes and gravy and a biscuit (prices may vary; tax extra).
