Ever scrolled through TikTok and seen people biting into what looks like fried chicken but is actually… ice cream? Yeah, me too! I’ve been obsessed with finding this mind-blowing treat, and after some digging, I’ve got all the answers about where to find the famous “Not Fried Chicken” ice cream that’s breaking the internet.
What Even IS Ice Cream Chicken?
Before I tell you where to get it, let’s talk about what this crazy creation actually is. The original “Not Fried Chicken” ice cream is made by Life Raft Treats, founded by Cynthia Wong (a SIX-TIME James Beard Award nominee!). This isn’t just some random novelty dessert – it’s a seriously crafted culinary masterpiece that just happens to look exactly like fried chicken.
Each “drumstick” consists of
- Waffle cone-flavored ice cream (the “meat”)
- A chocolate-covered cookie or pretzel “bone”
- Coating of caramelized white chocolate
- Crushed cornflakes for that perfect “fried” look
The result? A dessert that will trick your eyes but totally delight your taste buds. It’s crispy, crunchy, creamy, slightly salty, and sweet all at once. Basically, it’s weaponized mouth joy in every bite (their words, not mine, but I totally agree!).
Where to Buy Life Raft Treats’ Not Fried Chicken Ice Cream
So you’re dying to try this amazing creation? I don’t blame you! Here are your options
1. Direct from Life Raft Treats Website
The most authentic way to get your hands on this incredible treat is straight from the source Life Raft Treats ships nationwide to the contiguous 48 states
What you can order:
- ONE Not Fried Chicken bucket (9 pieces) – $109.00
- TWO Not Fried Chicken buckets – $149.00
- Individual Not Fried Chicken ice cream bars – $5.00 each (if you’re lucky enough to live close by)
Just head to their website (liferafttreats.com) and click the “CLICK HERE to order for delivery to your door!” button. They even include shipping insurance so your precious cargo arrives safely!
2. Through Goldbelly
If you’re more comfortable ordering through a food delivery marketplace, Goldbelly has you covered.
They offer the “Not Fried Chicken Ice Cream Bucket” with 9 pieces and the bucket included. Each ice cream bar is about 3 oz, and everything comes beautifully packaged – perfect if you’re sending as a gift.
The downside? It’s not eligible for shipping to Canada, only within the US. But the upside is that Goldbelly often has sales and promotions, plus you can earn Belly Rewards points (10 points for every dollar spent).
3. FreshDirect
Live in an area served by FreshDirect? You might be in luck! They sell individual Life Raft Ice Cream Bars for $5.49 each (3oz).
The FreshDirect description really captures the experience: “Prepare for delicious deception with Life Raft Treats’ Not Fried Chicken Ice Cream Bar, the dessert that tricks your eyes but delights your taste buds.”
4. Local Retailers
According to Life Raft Treats’ website, their Not Fried Chicken drumsticks are available by the individually wrapped piece in over 500 independent retailers, large grocery chains, and delivery services across the country. So check your local specialty food stores and higher-end grocery stores!
Why Is Everyone So Obsessed With This Ice Cream?
I was wondering the same thing until I did my research. Turns out, this isn’t just a gimmick – it’s actually REALLY good ice cream made by a seriously talented pastry chef.
Life Raft Treats was founded by Cynthia Wong, who received her sixth Outstanding Pastry Chef semifinalist nomination from the James Beard Foundation in 2019 specifically for her work at Life Raft Treats. So yeah, this isn’t just novelty food – it’s gourmet ice cream disguised as fast food!
The inspiration for Not Fried Chicken came from both beloved fast food fried chicken and Wong’s mother’s Burmese fried chicken, which she apparently begged her mom to make nearly every night as a kid.
And people are LOVING it. Just check out some of these reviews I found:
- “Ice cream so good I think it got my kid into Harvard!” – Michael S.
- “This looked so much like real fried chicken and was so much fun to eat!” – Chauncey B.
- “One of the best ice creams in the world I can’t see how people can hate them” – Max D.
The Price Tag: Is It Worth It?
Let’s address the elephant in the room – this isn’t cheap ice cream. A bucket of 9 pieces direct from Life Raft Treats will set you back $109, and even a single bar costs around $5-5.50.
But here’s why I think it might be worth splurging on:
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It’s a special experience – This isn’t just dessert, it’s entertainment! Imagine serving this to guests and watching their faces.
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Artisanal quality – All of Wong’s ice cream is made with high-quality locally-farmed dairy, eggs, and other ingredients. This isn’t mass-produced junk.
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Supporting a small business – Life Raft Treats is a chef-driven artisan ice cream company that started as South Carolina’s only chef-driven artisan ice cream truck.
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Perfect for special occasions – Birthdays, graduations, or just because you want to treat yourself to something awesome. As one reviewer said, “We got the Not Fried Chicken for my son’s graduation party, and everyone loved it!”
Beware of Imitators!
One important note – Life Raft Treats makes it very clear they are the ORIGINAL creators of Not Fried Chicken ice cream. Cynthia created this in January 2018, and since then, others have tried to copy the concept.
As they say on their website: “Often imitated, never duplicated! We’re the real thing.” and “Accept no substitutes!!”
So if you’re going to try this viral sensation, might as well go for the OG version that started it all!
When to Order Ice Cream Chicken
This makes an amazing gift for pretty much any occasion:
- Birthdays
- Graduations
- Office parties (one reviewer mentioned giving everyone at their office buckets for Christmas)
- Just because you want to try something awesome
One reviewer even said: “I gave everyone at my office buckets of Not Fried Chicken for Christmas and they were so happy. Super fast shipping!” So yeah, people are using this as an impressive gift that definitely won’t be forgotten!
My Final Thoughts on Ice Cream Chicken
I haven’t personally tried this yet (it’s on my bucket list!), but after researching for this article, I’m more determined than ever to get my hands on some Not Fried Chicken ice cream.
What impresses me most is that this isn’t just a viral food trend with style over substance – it’s a genuinely high-quality dessert created by a seriously talented chef who’s been recognized by the James Beard Foundation.
The combination of waffle ice cream, chocolate-covered pretzel bone, and that genius coating of caramelized white chocolate with cornflakes sounds like the perfect balance of textures and flavors. Plus, who doesn’t love food that plays tricks on your eyes?
If you’re on the fence about ordering, I say go for it – life’s too short not to try ice cream that looks like fried chicken at least once!
Quick FAQs About Ice Cream Chicken
Q: Is there actual chicken in the ice cream?
A: Nope! It contains no meat whatsoever. It’s 100% dessert.
Q: What are the main allergens?
A: According to FreshDirect, it contains eggs, wheat, soy, and milk.
Q: How is it shipped without melting?
A: Both Life Raft Treats and Goldbelly use special packaging with dry ice to ensure your ice cream arrives frozen solid.
Q: Can I order just one piece to try?
A: If you live in an area served by FreshDirect or near one of the 500+ retailers that carry individual pieces, yes! Otherwise, the minimum order for shipping is usually the 9-piece bucket.
Q: Is it really worth the price?
A: Based on the rave reviews and the fact that it’s made by a six-time James Beard nominee using high-quality ingredients, many people think so! Consider it an experience, not just a dessert.
Is it savory or is it sweet? This viral ice cream bar might not be what you think.
Just when I think Ive seen it all, the internet proves me wrong, yet again. If you’re a lover of fried food and sweet treats, you might have seen this peculiar viral anomaly taking over your Instagram and Facebook feeds or TikTok For You page. It’s not just ice cream and it’s not exactly fried chicken, it’s Not Fried Chicken ice cream − oh, and it’s $109.
Life Raft Treats, a South Carolina-born ice cream truck, is known for its unlikely twist on a classic dessert, serving up delicious ice cream in the guise of fried chicken. Cynthia Wong, the creative genius behind it all, is a six-year James Beard Foundation semi-finalist for Outstanding Pastry Chef and founder of Life Raft Treats.