Nando’s has announced plans to introduce a plant-based chicken burger that will debut at Nando’s Festival Towers in Brisbane’s CBD on January 30.

The South African restaurant chain will be giving away 500 Great Pretender meatless burgers on 30 January with a side of PERi-PERi chips from 11 am at its Festival Towers store in Brisbane as part of their introductory offer before rolling the product out to other Queensland restaurants on February 4. Nationwide expansion is planned in the upcoming months.

According to Nando’s the plant-based chicken patty will look and taste like the real thing because it has been made using key ingredients from the brand’s signature PERi-PERi recipe. The patty comprises pea and wheat protein and is flavoured with lemon, herbs and garlic, along with Nando’s branded chilli.  Canola and coconut oil have been used to provide a succulent taste and texture.

“We’re excited to be innovating our menu and providing an option for Nando’s fans which still includes all the perks of our famous PERi-PERi flavour,” said Nando’s Head of Food, Mario Manabe. “

“Unlike our veggie patty, the Great Pretender’s texture is very similar to a chicken burger patty, and it caramelises and smells just like meat when it’s cooked,” she added.

Being one of Australias’s largest fast food chains, Nando’s foray into the meatless market is a move to accommodate the growing number of consumers who want to ditch meat for health, environment and ethical reasons. Other restaurant chains that have added meat free alternatives to their menu include Hungry Jack’s, Domino’s and Grill’d. 

“Our aim is to make dining at Nando’s as inclusive as possible, so this addition will certainly help in catering to Australia’s ever-changing eating habits,” explained Manabe.

The Great Pretender burger will cost $9.95, however, if you don’t fancy a burger, the chain will serve the plant patty in a wrap, pita, salad or paella for an additional $1.

• Read: New ‘not vegan but plant based’ Rebel Whopper from Burger King is a win for veganism

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