Cutting back on your meat intake?

Now you can enjoy your usual cheeky Nandos without giving up on your flexitarian diet.

The restaurant just launched its first-ever plant-based meat alternative; The Great Imitator, an animal-free product crafted to taste just like its signature PERi-PERi chicken breast fillet but made entirely from pea protein.

“The Great Imitator will be served as four strips that are grilled to order and sit on the menu as part of the Burgers, Pittas and Wraps category.” a Nando’s spokesperson told Yay Cork.

“Nando’s fans will still be able to turn up the heat, by choosing their desired level of spice on the PERi-ometer, as they would with their usual Nando’s order.”

While not strictly vegan (it’s prepared on the same grills as Nando’s signature chicken) The Great Imitator is PETA approved:

“PETA is delighted to have played a part in Nando’s journey to putting this delicious plant-based chicken on the table,” said Dawn Carr, Director of Vegan Corporate Projects, PETA.

“Nando’s can’t guarantee zero risk of cross-contamination, so it’s not calling it vegan, but as all the ingredients in the burger and pitta versions are completely animal-free – right down to the mayo – we say these are an excellent choice for vegans, vegetarians, meat-reducers, and chickens.”

The Great Imitator and Sweet Potato Wedges with Garlic PERinaise are now available to flexitarian PERi-PERi fans in Cork via Deliveroo.