With football season here, it’s time to be disappointed with who you drafted for your fantasy football team and eat some grub while watching a game. And Popeyes is offering something new to drown your sorrows of having a quarterback who scores negative fantasy football points — Sweet’ N Smokey Chipotle Wings.
According to Popeyes, the new menu item is available with bone-in or boneless wings, which are tossed in a sauce with a blend of smokey chipotle and guajillo peppers with a sweet and bold BBQ base that has a hint of honey for some sweetness that balances out the heat. I ended up getting a six-piece boneless wings order.
Tiny chipotle pieces are floating in the reddish sauce, and its smell instantly pops barbecue sauce into my head. Like I’ve found with previous Popeyes wings orders, I have to drag the pieces through the sauce dregs at the bottom of the container to coat them properly. Much like its scent, its taste brings a sweet, smokey, and spicy barbecue sauce to mind, which is a bit disappointing because, with its name, I expected a flavor that wasn’t barbecue-like.
Yes, I know what I wrote in the description above, so I shouldn’t be surprised, but I only found out it had a barbecue base after some digging in the Popeyes app while typing this review. I will admit that Sweet ‘N Smokey Chipotle would be less confusing than calling it Sweet’ N Smokey BBQ, which might be confused for the Honey BBQ and Sweet’ N Spicy sauces.
There’s a kick with the viscous goo, so if you’re heat adverse, you might not like it. The honey’s sweetness definitely helps cut through the spiciness. But it’s a mild burn that, for me, doesn’t require any cool liquids or me running to the cashier at Popeyes to order a lemonade with an urgency similar to asking for a restroom lock code with a toddler who says, “I need to go to the bathroom.”
Beyond the sauce, the chicken itself was what I expected from the chicken chain — a very crispy exterior, tender meaty inside, and those Cajun spices that aren’t noticeable thanks to the sweet and spicy coating.
Popeyes Sweet ‘N Smokey Chipotle Wings would be a great addition to your game day spread, and I wouldn’t hesitate to order them again if I want a bit more of a kick than what the chain’s Honey BBQ Wings provide. They’re definitely not as disappointing as a quarterback who throws for four interceptions, has two fumbles, and zero touchdowns.
Purchased Price: $7.99*
Size: 6-piece order
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 730 calories, 35 grams of fat, 17 grams of saturated fat, 2 grams of trans fat, 90 milligrams of cholesterol, 2710 milligrams of sodium, 79 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, 49 grams of sugar, and 27 grams of protein.
*Because I live on a rock in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, things are a bit pricier here. You’ll probably pay less than I did.