We tried Nandos new Fanta chicken and it was as bizarre as it sounds

Nandos chicken burger served with piri piri chips, mash and gravy
-Credit: (Image: James McCarthy/Belfast Live)


When it comes to chicken restaurants, we aren't stuck for options in Northern Ireland but Nandos is one which always seems to draw me back.

I have been a firm favourite of their flame-grilled piri piri for some time now. When it comes to their menu, I am a creature of habit and always order the medium spiced chicken burger.

I was surprised to learn on a recent visit that the chain has updated their menu with a whole host of new items and that they have introduced new "rustic" burger buns to replace their usual Portuguese rolls.

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Sitting down, I noticed a flyer on our table for their limited edition Fanta spice and it immediately had me intrigued. The concept itself seemed interesting as I quite like chicken in orange sauce from the Chinese and other similar chicken dishes with a citrus flavour, however on this occasion, they have missed the mark.

First off, the chicken was incredibly dry and lacked any flavour. Whatever promise of orange that the chicken had was overshadowed by how tasteless the meat itself actually was.

Instead of the vibrant, juicy zest of something inspired by Fanta, the whole experience was bland and ultimately the only taste of Fanta came from the glass that was sitting on my table.

Then there was the new burger buns. Nandos appear to have changed their buns recently but this wasn't a positive upgrade. Their light, classic bread rolls have been replaced with a rustic Portuguese roll.

The texture of their new burger buns reminded me of pizza dough. It was dense, chewy and lacked the soft pillow texture of a burger bun which added nothing to the meal and actually made it feel quite heavy and unappetising.

The saving grace came from their gravy which they introduced a number of Christmases ago and pairs perfectly with their mash.

Overall, this Fanta collaboration just didn't land and seems like a missed opportunity. At £19.35, I expected something fun and flavourful, but what I got ended up being a strange, disappointing and flavourless meal.

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