Starbucks Adds New Chicken Sandwich, Plus 'Paradise Drink' and Pineapple Passionfruit Refreshers

Starbucks is, first and foremost, a coffee brand, so with today's announcement of the chain's summer menu, per usual, the new beverages were announced first… even though neither of them are coffee-based.

Meanwhile, as more and more chains have jumped on the chicken sandwich bandwagon, that fervor certainly has fallen from its former highs. And yet, despite its relatively unceremonious launch, the facts remain: Starbucks has just launched its first chicken sandwich — as a breakfast menu item, no less.

Debuting today, the first day of summer, the Chicken Maple Butter and Egg Sandwich features breaded white meat chicken, fluffy eggs, and a maple butter spread on a toasted oat biscuit roll for what Starbucks describes as "a satisfying and savory sandwich with a hint of sweetness." A brand spokesperson confirmed to us that, indeed, this new permanent menu item is the first time a chicken sandwich has landed on at Starbucks stores in the U.S.

In the endless rollout of new chicken sandwiches since Popeyes blew the doors of the phenomenon in 2019, breakfast chicken sandwiches certainly haven't been unheard of — with both McDonald's and Wendy's giving it a whirl — so it's a sensible place for Starbucks to start.

Still, Starbucks preferred to keep the focus on its two new summer beverages: the Pineapple Passionfruit Starbucks Refresher and Paradise Drink Starbucks Refresher, both of which are also joining the permanent menu.

The Pineapple Passionfruit beverage features "tropical flavors of pineapple and passionfruit, hand shaken by Starbucks baristas with real diced pineapple pieces and ice to create a delicious island escape that is 100 calories for a Grande." The chain then adds, "Customers can also order the beverage with lemonade for an extra burst of flavor."

Or, if you're after something with a bit more heft, the non-dairy Paradise Drink takes the previous new beverage and adds coconut milk "for a creamy, dreamy, tropical sip that is 140 calories for a Grande."

"The Paradise Drink Starbucks Refreshers beverage is like sunshine in a cup — the bright tropical flavors are radiant, happy, and joyful," Raegan Powell, a senior product developer from Starbucks R&D who led the creation of the new drink, stated in the announcement. "It's the perfect summer sip for a little moment of escape wherever you are."

Then, back in the food department, Starbucks is also adding a Cookies & Cream Cake Pop, which "combines chocolate cake with creamy sandwich cookie buttercream and cookie bits, dipped in white chocolate coating, and finished with dark chocolate cookie crumb."

Finally, in one other announcement, Starbucks is also adding new summer-inspired cold cups, tumblers, water bottles and more, with the reminder that Starbucks Rewards members who bring in a clean, reusable cup are still able to earn a 25 Stars bonus in addition to the existing 10 cents off their beverage.