KFC are testing a fried chicken sandwich that’s filled with Cheetos

In a random spurt of creativity, many of us will have tried to put together foods that have no business being on the same plate. For instance, when I was feeling particularly peckish and cash-strapped, I once tried to mix cornichons, tinned tuna, instant noodles, sweetcorn and mustard in a saucepan. The recipe still needs some work. Experiments like this typically end up exactly where they belong – at the bottom of a disturbing smelling bin. However, every once in a while, our fast food fever dreams can come up with something actually worthy of recognition.

Judging by the latest news coming out of KFC headquarters, the fried chicken franchise have decided to put faith in this particular mad strain of food logic. Having enjoyed success over the previous 12 months with “normal” ideas like chicken and waffles, or a rerelease of the exorbitant Double-Down, it looks like the chefs have had enough of playing by whatever rulebook they were previously using. The time has come for KFC to get wacky.

Delighting, confusing and intriguing fans in equal measure, the franchise have announced that, in a few select southern locations, they will be testing an all new fried chicken Cheetos sandwich. Poultry and crunchy puffed corn snacks might not be the most natural of bedfellows, but the restaurant definitely gets points for being brave.

The new dish will feature a chicken fillet coated in KFC’s signature blend of herbs and spices, balanced on a bed of Cheetos and mayonnaise. To make things even more exciting, the entire thing will be drenched in a custom made cheese-Cheeto sauce, specifically created for the dish by parent company Frito-Lay. Initially only available in select locations across Virginia, Georgia and North Carolina, there will undoubtedly be thousands of hungry devotees hoping for a national roll-out faster than you can say “cheetah-themed crisps”.

If their press release is anything to go by, KFC are increasingly confident that the new addition to the lineup will deliver on lofty expectations. Gushing with praise for their new baby, the franchise write, “Made by coating a juicy, hand-breaded Extra Crispy chicken filet (sic.) with special Cheetos sauce and placing it on a toasted bun with mayo and a layer of crunchy Cheetos, the Cheetos Sandwich will give you a blast of craveable Cheetos in every bite.” Let’s hope it can live up to the hype.

This, of course, won’t be the first time that Cheetos have been roped in to add some pizzazz to a fast food menu. Already, Burger King’s “Mac ‘N’ Cheetos Bites” and the infamous Popeye’s “Whole Deep-Fried Flamin’ Cheetos Turkey” have established the snacks as a staple for any restaurant looking to do something exciting without having to break the bank. However, KFC’s new creation looks like the first time that a major franchise has decided to put the ingredient front and centre as a main meal option. It remains to be seen whether the gamble will pay off.