Popeyes and Louisiana-Style Chicken

Starting over with spice

Al Copeland opened a fried chicken restaurant called Chicken on the Run near New Orleans in 1972. It did not take off, so he reopened months later with a spicy, New Orleans-style recipe and a new name, Popeyes Mighty Good Chicken. The bold flavour was a hit and the chain grew quickly.

Louisiana flavours

Popeyes chicken is marinated in a seasoned mix for hours before being battered and fried, giving it a spicy flavour all the way through and a crunchy coating. Sides reflect Louisiana cooking, such as red beans and rice and Cajun fries, plus buttermilk biscuits.

The sandwich frenzy

In August 2019 Popeyes launched a fried chicken sandwich with brioche bun and pickles. A playful exchange with rivals on social media went viral, and restaurants ran out within about two weeks. When it returned that November, lines stretched around blocks. The episode is often called the great chicken sandwich battle, and many chains launched their own versions.

Today

Popeyes has thousands of restaurants worldwide and is owned by Restaurant Brands International, which also owns Burger King and Tim Hortons. Its success helped make spicy chicken one of the fastest growing fast food categories.

If you are visiting New Orleans, local fried chicken spots and Popeyes both offer a taste of the city's spicy style. At home, a Louisiana-style marinade usually combines cayenne, paprika, garlic and onion powder with buttermilk or a seasoned brine.

Menu guide

Popeyes sells chicken in mild or spicy versions, plus tenders, the chicken sandwich and a fish sandwich. Sides include Cajun fries, red beans and rice, mashed potatoes with Cajun gravy, coleslaw and buttermilk biscuits, which many customers say are worth the trip on their own. Seasonal specials sometimes include ghost pepper wings or blackened tenders without breading.

Did you know? Popeyes' red beans and rice reflect a New Orleans Monday tradition of slow-cooking beans while doing laundry. The chain has published pages about its Louisiana roots, and its menu remains one of the boldest among the major US chicken chains.

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