Crafted with 100% whole-milk mozzarella and a seasoned golden crunch, the fast-casual hot chicken favorite introduces the ultimate bite-sized pairing for its signature heat levels.
Crimson Coward Nashville Hot Chicken, the rapidly growing fast-casual brand celebrated for its hand-breaded, cooked-to-order Nashville-style chicken, today announced the nationwide debut of its newest permanent menu innovation: Cheez Nugs. Available across all restaurant locations starting Friday, September 18, 2026, the bite-sized mozzarella nuggets offer guests an authentic cheese pull and a creamy counterpart to the brand's proprietary spice profiles.
Made with 100% whole-milk mozzarella cheese and coated in a golden, herb-seasoned breadcrumb crust, Cheez Nugs are fried fresh to order to achieve a shatteringly crisp exterior and a rich, melty center. Each order is served hot with a choice of Crimson Coward's signature scratch-made dipping sauces: house Crimson Sauce or cool ranch.
"At Crimson Coward, quality is the baseline for everything we serve — from our certified Halal chicken and beef to our side innovations," said Ali Hijazi, Founder and CEO of Crimson Coward. "Our guests love the bold, layered heat of our spice blends, but they wanted a craveable, premium bite that complements the fire. Cheez Nugs deliver on every front: authentic whole-milk mozzarella, serious crunch, and the perfect flavor balance whether you're dipping them in sauce or pairing them with our spiciest tenders."
The Science of the "Heat Tamer"
Crimson Coward offers five distinct heat tiers: Country (no heat), Mild, Medium, Hot, and BURRRRN, BABY, BURN. Cheez Nugs serve as an intentional palate soother: the natural milk fats in 100% whole-milk mozzarella bind to capsaicin molecules, providing savory relief between bites of the brand's highest heat levels.
Availability & Specifications
Cheez Nugs are available for dine-in, takeout, mobile app ordering, and third-party delivery across all operational stores in California, Washington, Texas, Maryland, and Virginia. Guests can enjoy them as a standalone side with dipping sauce, or stacked directly inside Crimson Coward sandwiches, sliders, and wraps.
Crimson Coward Nashville Hot Chicken is a fast-casual restaurant brand dedicated to authentic, cooked-to-order Nashville hot chicken. Founded in 2019 in Downey, California, by Ali Hijazi, the brand delivers a premium culinary experience using fresh, certified halal poultry and beef seasoned with a proprietary spice blend. With five customizable heat levels ranging from "Country" (no heat) to "BURRRRN BABY BURN," Crimson Coward pairs hand-breaded tenders, wings, wraps, burritos, and sandwiches with scratch-made signature sides. The company operates locations across California, Washington, Texas, Maryland, and Virginia, with upcoming expansion into Delaware and Florida. For more information, visit crimsoncoward.com.
