There’s a constant debate on whether McDonalds or Wendy’s is better, but are Wendy’s new chicken tenders what will bring it to the top? Whether it’s a late night DoorDash order or grabbing a quick meal after practice, there is always satisfaction in biting into a warm burger or getting cooled down by a refreshing frosty. Maybe this new addition will become a new fan-favorite. For the first time ever, Wendy’s has released its own chicken tenders. On September 30th, 2025, Wendy’s released its menu item “Tendys” along with 6 new sauces.

The new Tendys contain white-meat chicken surrounded by crispy breading. Along with the Tendys, 6 new sauces were released. The three that I try are Scorchin’ Hot, Wendy’s Signature and Sweet Chili. I am excited to get to try the new additions, and walking into the clean, brightly illuminated Wendy’s on W Henderson Road sets my bar high. The appealing aroma of crispy French fries- that classic fast food smell – instantly hits you the moment you enter the restaurant chain. Deciding whether you want to stick with your go-to order or try something new can be tricky but this review will give you all that you need to make up your mind.

The Tendys come in two options – a three piece option for 4.99 and a four piece option for 6.79, which are comparable to other fast food chains. My order is ready within a few minutes and I receive a box that holds my warm chicken tenders, along with only two of the three sauces that I had asked for. After going back and receiving my third sauce, I sit down and open the box of tenders. The outside is crispy, a dark golden brown color and visibly seasoned with black pepper and different spices. It was critical that I try the chicken on its own without the influence of any sauces in order to truly see if they were sufficient on their own. The first bite crunches between my teeth proving a perfect texture, but in all honesty, the tender itself is bland and in
need of some flavor.

I decided the first sauce I would try would be “Scorchin Hot”, a spicy dip that displayed a fiery orange color. The flavors instantly hit my mouth, a swirl of heat and spices, along with a crunch of the surface of the tender chicken. The sauce contained the perfect amount of spice for a spice lover, but not too much that would overthrow the balance of flavor. The next one I try is sweet chili, a sugary, purple red sauce with flakes of pepper that delights my tastebuds. Its smooth sweetness balanced out the saltiness of the tender perfectly.

The last one was the Wendy’s Signature, a speckled pale orange sauce. Dipping it into the sauce was difficult because of its consistency which was a bit too thick. The flavor was good but similar to Cane’s Sauce, which is somewhat unoriginal but it paired well with the tender. Scorchin’ Hot is for sure my personal favorite.

After finishing my tenders, I decide that Wendy’s Tendys are a good addition. Although there were some things that could have been improved, I enjoyed the food and would order it again. If you’re ever looking for a good tender with a good dip, a quick stop by Wendy’s might make you happy.