Wendy’s is bringing back chicken tenders to its nationwide menu on September 29, 2025, after an eight-year break. The last time they offered “Homestyle Chicken Strips” was in 2017.
Becky Davis from Wendy’s said, “We’re always looking for ways to innovate with chicken and deliver for our customers.” You can choose between three or four pieces of tenders, and they come with two sauces. Kids can get a smaller portion of two pieces with one sauce. All options are available as standalone items or combo meals.
Wendy’s is also offering bigger sauce portions this time. There are six flavors to choose from: Signature, Sweet Chili, Scorchin’ Hot, Creamy Ranch, Honey BBQ, and Honey Mustard. Each sauce comes in a super-sized cup, and the new packaging even has a built-in sauce holder for easy eating on the go.
Lindsay Radkoski, the Chief Marketing Officer, said, “Consumers told us what they wanted in a chicken tender, and we listened. With six bold new sauces, fans can dip, dunk, and customize their Tendys with every bite!”
This release comes after McDonald’s launched its McCrispy Strips earlier in 2025. Eight years ago, both chains introduced chicken tenders around the same time, and now it’s happening again. Early reviews say the coating is crispy and the meat is tender. The Sweet Chili sauce has a perfect sweet-spicy balance, while the Scorchin’ Hot sauce is super spicy.
With chicken becoming a big trend in fast food, Wendy’s is making a smart move to grab a piece of the growing chicken market.
