Heat meets flavor in Disney’s Jerk BBQ Chicken Strips — a $12.99 resort entrée coated in rich jerk BBQ sauce and finished with pineapple salsa.
Walt Disney World unveiled 13 new chicken strips entrees. Some are variations of the standard chicken strip entree, like the Waffle Cone Chicken Strips. Other are enhancments to the standard Walt Disney World chicken strips such as the new Jerk BBQ Chicken Strips.
If you’ve ever wished Walt Disney World’s famous chicken strips came with a little extra kick, your wish has come true. The new Jerk BBQ Chicken Strips are now available at several resort quick-service locations, including The Mara at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – Jambo House, Gasparilla Island Grill, End Zone Food Court, Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory, and Riverside Mill. We decided to check them out at The Mara, and while these sauced-up strips require a bit more effort behind the counter, the results are worth noting.
A Saucy Upgrade Worth $2 More?
The standard Walt Disney World chicken strips cost $10.99, but these Jerk BBQ Chicken Strips come in at $12.99, a $2 upgrade for an elevated sauce and pineapple salsa. Watching the cast members prepare this dish, we saw them toss the usual chicken strips in the jerk BBQ sauce by hand. It looked like a tedious process, but the result was evenly coated, glossy chicken with a mouthwatering aroma that filled the air.
The presentation impressed us, especially for a resort quick-service spot. The cast member who prepared our meal even mentioned they’d chosen this entrée for lunch earlier that day. That is always a good sign.
Flavor and Heat: Jerk Done Right
At first bite, these strips delivered on the promise of spice. Were they fabulous? Not quite — but they offered a nice jerk-inspired flavor profile with a consistent level of heat. That’s important, since jerk seasoning at Walt Disney World can sometimes vary wildly in spice level. Here, the balance between smoky BBQ and gentle island spice worked well.
The Jerk BBQ sauce is the clear star. It brings real personality to Walt Disney World’s dependable chicken strips without also overwhelming the palate. Most guests should find the heat level approachable, even if they’re not spice seekers.
Pineapple Salsa: Sweet Meets Heat (Sometimes)
The strips come topped with pineapple salsa, which adds a bright, sweet contrast to the jerk BBQ sauce. Unfortunately, the salsa tended to slide off the chicken, making it tricky to enjoy both together in one bite. Still, when the two flavors did combine, it made for a satisfying mix of sweet, smoky, and spicy. We would have loved for the salsa to be a bit chunkier or served in a side cup for easier pairing.
Sides and Texture
Although the online menu lists a choice of sides, we were only offered the standard Walt Disney World fries. These were the same average fries we had served with the recent Waffle Cone Chicken Strips, nothing special, but perfectly serviceable.
The chicken itself followed the usual Walt Disney World pattern: crunchy breading in spots, a little too thick in others. Fortunately, the jerk BBQ sauce helped disguise the overly crisp batter. Due to the sauce, we opted for a fork-and-knife approach to avoid the sticky fingers that would result from eating these by hand. This turned out to be wise.
Jerk BBQ Chicken Strips at The Mara
The Jerk BBQ Chicken Strips feel right at home at The Mara, where bold African-inspired flavors fit the resort’s atmosphere. At other locations, the sauced presentation may feel out of place, but here it works beautifully.
Are they worth the $2 upgrade over the regular chicken strips? If you prefer to dip your tenders in sauce, that might not be the case. Still, if you enjoy your chicken tossed and coated, like wings at a bar and grill, this new entrée is made for you. With a filling portion (four strips plus fries), solid flavor, and a fun twist on a Disney classic, these Jerk BBQ Chicken Strips make a flavorful addition to the quick-service lineup, especially for guests looking for something beyond plain fried chicken. For example, one of our food reporters trying these at the Riverside Mill Food Court said this: “If you like jerk flavor, you’ll love this. It’s got a light, subtle heat that builds — but the chicken still stays crispy, even after 10 minutes.”
Jerk BBQ Chicken Strips Overview
- Price: $12.99
- Includes: Four chicken strips tossed in jerk BBQ sauce, pineapple salsa topping, and a side of fries
- Locations: The Mara (Animal Kingdom Lodge), Gasparilla Island Grill (Grand Floridian), Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory (Port Orleans French Quarter), Riverside Mill (Port Orleans Riverside), End Zone Food Court (All-Star Sports)
The Jerk BBQ Chicken Strips aren’t a revolutionary addition to Disney dining, but they do deliver flavor and heat in a way that makes them stand out among standard quick-service fare. If you’re at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, grab a table at The Mara, take in the atmosphere, and dig into this flavorful, fork-and-knife entrée. At The Mara, they are a saucy upgrade that might win you over. We assume they taste the same as the other Walt Disney World Resort hotel options. Guess we will find out another day.
For more theme park dining reviews, visit MSM News every weekday at noon Eastern Time. As always, eat like you mean it!
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