ATLANTA — Chick-fil-A is now testing its new Spicy Chicken Sandwich at all 32 Chick-fil-A restaurants in California, including in Los Angeles and Orange Counties, San Diego, the Inland Empire, Bakersfield, Oxnard and the Fresno and Sacramento areas, in consideration of adding this offering to its menu nationwide. This sandwich was previously tested in Baltimore, Md., and Jacksonville, Fla.,

The Spicy Chicken Sandwich is a variation of its signature hand-breaded Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich seasoned with a fiery blend of peppers, pressure-cooked in 100% refined peanut oil and served on a toasted-buttered bun with two pickle chips. Customers also have the option of ordering the sandwich with lettuce and tomato. The sandwich starts at $3.25.

"When asking our customers what more could we do to enhance their overall customer experience when dining at Chick-fil-A, they have consistently requested that we add a spicy chicken sandwich to our menu," said Woody Faulk, Chick-fil-A's vice-president of brand development. "In response to their request and through vigorous testing to ensure the highest quality standards, both in taste and ease of operation, we have created a new spicy chicken sandwich. California promises to be an important proving ground for our new spicy offering, based on the diversity of its customer base, as well as the desire among many Californians for spicier foods."

Other spicy items have been added to the menu in recent years. In 2001, the chain introduced the Spicy Chicken Cool Wrap, a tightly rolled flatbread with spicy grilled chicken breast in a fresh blend of Romaine lettuce and red cabbage. The Chick-fil-A Southwest Chargrilled Salad, which includes spicy grilled chicken breast on a blend of lettuce with a roasted corn and black bean relish, has become a popular salad entrée since joining the menu in 2003.

Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A Inc. calls itself the nation's second-largest quick-service chicken restaurant chain based on sales. In 2008, Chick-fil-A achieved record sales of $2.96 billion — a 12.17% overall increase and an 4.59% same-store sales gain over the same year-earlier period that helped extend the chain's streak of consecutive sales gains to 41 years.