Shake Shack Has a New Cookbook — and This Chicken Bites Recipe Will Have You *Running* to Buy It

Shake Shack is one of everyone’s favorite establishments, and it’s pretty well-known that they serve a heckuva lot more than a great milkshake. If you’re not in the mood to make hangover-curing recipes at home but you want some delicious greasy food and fries, Shake Shack is where it’s at. But guess what? For those times when you are in the mood to cook, you can now whip something Shack-worthy up in your own kitchen at any time of day. Add Shake Shack’s new cookbook to your roster of copycat recipes, and enjoy a sneak peek with this absolutely BOMB chicken bites creation.

Chicken Bites

These crispy bite-size pieces are the obvious extension of the Chick’n Shack. We like to make them for a big party (and for the kids!) served with Buttermilk Herb Mayo. They’re great with our Salt & Pepper Honey Sauce (page 173), too.

  • 2 thinly sliced boneless skinless chicken breasts, about 6 ounces each
  • Buttermilk Marinade (recipe follows)
  • Seasoned Flour (recipe follows)
  • Canola oil for deep-frying
  • 1 cup Buttermilk Herb Mayo, optional

1. Cut the chicken into thirds lengthwise, then crosswise into pieces about 2 inches wide.

2. Follow the directions in the Chick’n Shack recipe (directions below) for marinating, dredging, and deep-frying the chicken pieces.

3. Drain the deep-fried chicken pieces on paper towels. Serve with the mayonnaise.

Buttermilk Marinade:

  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 1 small shallot, peeled and sliced
  • ½ small jalapeño, halved
  • ½ small clove garlic, peeled and smashed
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Seasoned Flour:

  • 3½ cups flour
  • 4 teaspoons baking powder
  • 3 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 2½ teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1½ teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne
  • 1 teaspoon celery salt

Chick’n Shack Directions:

1. For the Buttermilk Marinade: Mix together all ingredients in a medium mixing bowl. Set aside.

2. For the Seasoned Flour: Whisk together all ingredients in a deep wide dish. Set aside.

3. Add the chicken breasts to the bowl of buttermilk marinade. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour and up to 8 hours.

4. Lift one piece of chicken at a time from the marinade, and dredge really well in the seasoned flour, shaking off any excess flour.

5. Return the chicken to the marinade, fully submerge one more time, then dredge again in the seasoned flour. Shake off excess flour and set aside. Discard the marinade.

6. Pour the oil into a heavy, deep pot to a depth of 4 inches. Heat over medium heat until the temperature of the oil reaches 350 degrees Fahrenheit on a candy thermometer.

7. Use a wire spider or slotted spoon to carefully lower the chicken into the hot oil. Fry 2 pieces of chicken at a time until the crust is deep golden brown and crisp, about 5 minutes. Transfer the chicken to paper towels to drain.

Buttermilk Herb Mayo

MAKES 2 CUPS

  • 2 cups Hellman’s mayonnaise
  • 2 Tablespoons buttermilk
  • 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
  • 1 Tablespoon finely chopped parsley
  • 2 teaspoons finely chopped chives
  • ¼ teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Put all the ingredients into a medium mixing bowl and stir until well combined.

Be sure to pick up your copy of Shake Shack ($16) for even more delicious recipe ideas.

Follow us on Pinterest for more meal ideas and copycat recipes!

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Reprinted from Shake Shack. Copyright © 2017 by Shake Shack Enterprises, LLC. Principal photographs copyright © 2017 by Christopher Hirsheimer. Published by Clarkson Potter/Publishers, an imprint of Penguin Random House, LLC.

Eating out as a vegan can be a true challenge, especially if you don’t exactly know that what you’re ordering is 100% vegan. Fast food faves like McDonald’s and Taco Bell are secretly packed with vegan items, and Starbucks is no exception. From oat milk coffees to satisfyingly savory snacks, you’ve actually got plenty of plant-based choices when you pull up at your local Starbucks.

Scroll on to explore every vegan Starbucks drink and food item you can add to your order!

Vegan Starbucks Drinks

Starbucks

1. Brown Sugar Oatmilk Cortado

This new-to-the-menu espresso drink combines brown sugar syrup and oat milk to balance out the punchy coffee notes.

Starbucks

2. Latte (Iced + Hot)

You can totally enjoy a latte at Starbucks if you're vegan. Their oat, almond, coconut, and soy milks are vegan, plus many of their syrups qualify as vegan, too, if you want to flavor up your drink. According to this Starbucks supervisor, all of Starbucks "clear" syrups are vegan and dairy-free. Starbucks' regular and white mocha sauces and caramel drizzle are also vegan and dairy-free.

Starbucks

3. Americano (Iced + Hot)

Starbucks' Americanos are just water and espresso, so you don't have to worry about any dairy being in there. Optionally, you could ask for a splash of non-dairy milk and pumps of your fave syrup.

Starbucks

4. Brewed Coffee (Iced + Hot)

Same goes for their brewed coffees, including iced coffee. Easily ask your barista to add in some non-dairy milk and a few pumps of syrup if you desire!

Starbucks

5. Nondairy Salted Caramel Cream Cold Brew

This vegan cold brew drink is crafted with non-dairy cold foam that's flavored with salted caramel – and it's delish!

Starbucks

6. Nitro Cold Brew

A plain nitro cold brew from Starbucks is fully vegan and dairy-free. You can choose to add a splash of non-dairy milk, if you wish your sip to be a bit smoother and creamier.

Starbucks

7. Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso

This one's a classic: shots of espresso get shaken up with ice and brown sugar syrup to create a frothy foam, then the drink is topped off with oat milk to cut the bitterness. It's quite a delectable order, even if you're not eating fully vegan.

Starbucks

8. Starbucks Refreshers

All of Starbucks' fruity Refreshers are vegan. Plus, you can can add lemonade, tea, other flavor inclusions like strawberry and peach to add some extra oomph.

Starbucks

9. Iced Black Tea

Their refreshing iced black tea is certifiably vegan, too.

Starbucks

10. Iced Green Tea

If you prefer green tea, Starbucks' offering is vegan-friendly. If you tend to take your tea a bit sweeter, just order it with however many packets of your preferred sweetener, and your barista will add it in.

Starbucks

11. Lemonade

You truly can't go wrong with a lemonade!

Starbucks

12. Hot Teas

Starbucks' hot teas are totally vegan, too. If you want to make them fancier, ask for an additional splash of your go-to non-dairy milk!

Vegan Starbucks Foods

Starbucks

1. Rolled & Steel-Cut Oatmeal

Now onto the food! First up is Starbucks' oatmeal, which you can fancy up with nuts, berries, and brown sugar. Make sure to order it with water to ensure it stays vegan.

Starbucks

2. Plain Bagel

Surprisingly, Starbucks' bagels are also vegan.

Starbucks

3. Everything Bagel

The plain and everything bagels will work for any vegan eater.

Starbucks

4. Avocado Spread

Plus, you can order your bagel with a side of this delicious avocado spread for a nutritious boost!

Starbucks

5. Spicy Falafel Pocket

This 100% vegan snack pocket is new to the Starbucks menu, but it's already become a fan-favorite amongst vegans and non-vegans alike.

Starbucks

6. Chipotle Almond Dip

You can order the Spicy Falafel Pocket with a side of this fully-vegan Chipotle Almond Dip (AKA Bitchin’ Sauce). Yum.

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There are few things in our daily lives as horrifying as a first date with a stranger. Usually, the best case scenario is you show up to an agreed meeting place, hit it off, want to go out again, and maybe even fall in love. That is, assuming you're not getting catfished and they're not a crazy person. Well, in Meghann Fahy's new thriller, she finds herself on the perfect first date that takes a turn for the terrifying when an anonymous stranger starts tormenting her...and then instructs her to kill her date. Now the question remains: will she follow through, or will this would-be couple make it to dessert?

Here's everything know about Drop, starring Meghann Fahy and Brandon Sklenar.


Watch 'The Drop' trailer now!

The first thing I have to call out about The Drop trailer is that Brandon Sklenar just keeps getting cuter. How is this possible?! He and Meghann Fahy have chemistry the moment he steps onscreen which makes this whole movie concept — you know, that Meghann's character is told she has to kill him — even more intriguing. And Sabrina Carpenter playing in the background? An inspired choice.

I want to believe that both Violet and Henry make it out of the story alive...but things aren't looking too hopeful for either of them.

What is the movie Drop about?

HBO

Drop Plot

In Drop, widowed mother Violet (Meghann Fahy) is literally so relieved when her date with Henry goes well. He's handsome and charismatic, and she's enjoying their time together — until an unknown number starts dropping anonymous instructions to her phone. Now, Violet has to play it cool while following her new contact's instructions or her kids will pay the price. There's just one problem: the final instruction is to kill Henry.

When is Drop coming out?

Drop Release Date

Drop hits theaters April 11, 2025. The Blumhouse film is from Christopher Landon (Happy Death Day, Freaky), is written by Jillian Jacobs and Chris Roach, and is produced by Jason Blum, Michael Bay, Brad Fuller, and Cameron Fuller. The movie's also executive produced by Sam Lerner.

Who's in the Drop cast?

HBO

Drop Cast

The cast of Drop includes Meghann Fahy, Brandon Sklenar, Violett Beane, Jacob Robinson, Reed Diamond, Gabrielle Ryan, Jeffery Self, Ed Weeks, and Travis Nelson.

See The New Drop Poster!

Blumhouse/Universal Pictures

The poster for Drop definitely gets my adrenaline pumping — and I love Meghann Fahy's glam eyeshadow & manicure paired with the terror in her eyes. Because, duh, of course this Emmy-nominted actress can act with her eyes like nobody's business. And the bold red of the graphic design? Chef's kiss.

Check out 10 New Terrifying Fall Thrillers to watch this season!

This post has been updated.

When it comes to Starbucks, it’s not always just about the coffee – they have a ton of food options that’ll have you hooked from the first bite. While some Starbucks food items are definitely worth skipping (looking at you, Kale & Mushroom Egg Bites), there are plenty of downright delicious picks.

Starbucks employees and die-hard fans just weighed in on their go-to food orders on Reddit, and their answers may surprise you!

Get ready to explore the best Starbucks food, straight from the experts who know it best.

Starbucks

1. Turkey, Provolone & Pesto on Ciabatta

This lunch sandwich came up several times amongst Starbucks employees and fans. It features sliced turkey breast, melted provolone cheese, dry-roasted red peppers, and basil pesto in between slices of ciabatta. One sandwich has 32 grams of protein, too!

Starbucks

2. Ham & Swiss Croissant

Next up, the classic Ham & Swiss Croissant! I always ate this for breakfast when I worked at Starbucks, and can confirm it's very worth ordering.

One Reddit user admitted that they "eat wayyyyyy more" of these than they "care to admit." They said that "They’re just so damn good” – very true!

Starbucks

3. Egg White Bagels (Custom)

One Starbucks employee said that they use their mark-outs (1 free food item + 1 free bev every shift!) to make their very own concoction: egg white egg bites on an everything bagelwith avocado spread. Sounds delish.

Starbucks

4. Potato, Cheddar & Chive Bakes

These baked bites were mentioned a whopping 10 times on the Reddit thread.

“Grew up hating eggs, never never [ate] them," one person wrote. "But I will tear up those chive bites with some sriracha, salt, and pepper."

"Hear me on this one," another user commented. "Always double toast your egg bites and toast your panini sandwiches from the case open faced. Always.” Now I've gotta try it!

Tip: to get any heated food item at Starbucks double-toasted, simply say 'extra crispy' or 'double-toasted' when you go to order.

Starbucks

5. Spicy Falafel Pocket

This Starbucks food menu newcomer seems to be pretty popular already. It came out in January 2025 with their winter menu launch, which also includes the never-seen-at-Starbucks drink, the Cortado.

“The falafel wrap just came out, but I'm in love,” one user said.

“Me too!" another person agreed. "Never been huge into falafel – it always tasted dry to me. This one is just right. Also the new dipping sauce is a welcome add on.”

"The fact that it's vegan too makes it perfect,” one more Redditor gushed.

The Spicy Falafel Pocket includes smashed falafel, creamy hummus, roasted red bell peppers, pickled onions, and a spicy herb sauce packed into a lavash flatbread.

Starbucks

6. Iced Lemon Loaf

“That damn lemon loaf,” one user quickly commented. And they're so right for that.

The Iced Lemon Loaf would be on weekly rotation when I worked as a Starbucks barista. It's entirely too sugary, but perhaps that's what had me hooked. And that thick layer of icing, too!

Starbucks

7. Cinnamon Coffee Cake

“I love their blueberry scones and their coffee cakes," one Redditor wrote. "They pair nicely with a large iced blonde americano 😋.” Sounds yum!

In fact, Starbucks has a ton of great bakery items, but this coffee cake typically comes out on top for being super moist, plus its crumbly topping is downright addicting.

Starbucks

8. Spinach, Feta & Egg White Wrap

The SFW is a total classic when it comes to the best Starbucks food items. It's 100% vegetarian and is made with fluffy cage-free egg whites, spinach, feta cheese, and sun-dried tomato cream cheese. It makes a nourishing savory bite for breakfast or lunch.

Starbucks

9. Egg, Pesto & Mozzarella Sandwich

I fear this breakfast sandwich is my new addiction whenever I go to Starbucks. The egg is always fluffy and flavorful, the cheese always melty, and I think the pesto adds a nice tang to it all. Plus, it has 21 grams of protein, so I don't have to worry about feeling hungry after I chow down on it.

“I'm a fan,” one Redditor said.

“Garbage for my cholesterol but 🤌🏻,” another person noted.

"I've been putting chili oil on it as well and its soooo good,” one more user said. Spicy!

Starbucks

10. Cheese Danish

The Starbucks Cheese Danish is very good, but one employee's minor edit to it sounds ahh-mazing: they add a sprinkling of the Cinnamon Dolce topping (AKA cinnamon and sugar) on top to up the sweetness!

I wouldn't necessarily recommend ordering your danish like this at the counter to avoid eye rolls from your baristas, but take it home and add your own cinnamon sugar, and boom – you've got yourself a truly elevated Starbucks snack!

Subscribe to our newsletter to read more Starbucks hot takes + get the latest news in fast food!

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How many times have you heard someone is a toxic person and — aside from therapy speak — what does it mean? According to Michelle English, LCSW, Co-Founder and Executive Clinical Manager at Healthy Life Recovery, "In a therapeutic setting, toxic behavior usually refers to patterns of behavior that regularly cause emotional, mental, or even physical harm to others."

Wondering why people resort to being toxic behavior? English says, "They are frequently the result of unresolved personal issues such as trauma, insecurity, or a lack of self-awareness." Jamie Bennett, LMFT of Mountainside Treatment Center, adds, "Many toxic people do things with the intent of getting a certain reaction – like a bully. If they want to rile you up and you don’t get riled up this changes the dynamic."

Wanna know what signs to look out for when it comes to toxic people? We've got you covered — and we have the tea on when you should finally cut them out!

P.S. Bennett says assertiveness isn't toxic, even if someone's behavior sometimes comes off as pushy or controlling. This just means they're sure of themselves!

Here are the 6 signs of a toxic person — & when to cut them out!

Kaboompics.com

1. They're always being dismissive.

Have you ever been really excited or upset about something only to be met with a dismissive tone from someone you confided in? This person is displaying toxicity which "gradually undermines trust in relationships," according to English. Would you want to keep sharing things with a person if they're always downplaying your emotions? Probably not.

Alex Green

2. Controlling others seems like a sport to them.

English says another way to determine someone is toxic is pay attention to their controlling behavior. It can be something as simple as telling you what to wear or something greater such as forcibly limiting your contact with anyone they think isn't good for you.

Keira Burton

3. They consistently makes excuses for their behavior.

Have you ever let a close friend know certain behavior bothers you only for them to make an excuse for why they keep doing them? Bennett says this counts as "avoiding responsibility for actions." Furthermore, "constantly" doing so or looking to "push the blame onto someone else veers into toxic territory," she adds.

Another way to look at this is if someone is always falling into a pattern of "victimizing themselves," according to Bennett.

SHVETS production

4. They tend to be manipulative.

Manipulation is tricky because it's not always obvious until it's too late. It's kind of like not realizing you were bit by a mosquito until your skin becomes itchy and red. Bennett says this is toxic because there's a knowing that someone can "appeal to a certain person's characteristics or personality traits." This looks like saying or doing something "with the intention of getting a certain reaction," according to her.

Bennett says, "An example may be one partner in sobriety who consistently uses their poor mental health as a reason to not be proactive about finding a job. They do this because they know that the other partner is worried about their loved one relapsing so they use that fear against her."

Liza Summer

5. They never miss an opportunity to gaslight people.

Calling this a "well-known example," English says gaslighting often occurs when someone denies the reality of another person." What would cause someone to do this? Well, a toxic behavior often doesn't want to take accountability for their actions so they'd rather "cause people to doubt their own perceptions," according to English.

Alena Darmel

6. They're always looking for reasons to criticize someone.

The catty behavior on The Real Housewives of New York may be entertaining for TV, but that kind of behavior gets old quickly in everyday life. No one wants to hear why "so and so thinks they're all that" even if it's disguised as humor. English says, "Regardless of their motivation," behaviors like this "can lead to stressful and emotionally distressing situations."

Alena Darmel

cottonbro studio

Is it time to cut that toxic person out of my life?

We live in a society that started prioritizing ending relationships with people as soon as we spot red flags, but English and Bennett don't think this should be our immediate reaction. English says, "The decision to disengage with a toxic person in the relationship will depend on how harsh and serious the relationship is" because "it is often personal."

According to her, if you notice a consistent pattern where the behavior is "damaging your emotional health," it's okay to walk away from that person. Still, she believes "completely cutting [someone] off is often a last option when other approaches to changing the behavior have not worked." Bennett says something similar and notes how to approach different scenarios.

"If it someone you need to communicate with because of a job or family, there are things you can do to protect yourself," she says. She suggests reminding "yourself who you are dealing with" if the person is adept at gaslighting others because "it may be easy to become convinced that you are wrong or something did not happen the way you recall." A phrase she encourages you to tell yourself is, "I know that my experiences are my experiences no matter what."

RDNE Stock project

If you're dealing with an aggressively toxic person, you'll have to "set and reinforce boundaries," Bennett says while English adds that "engaging in therapy to faciliate healthier relationships" may be a next step.

Here's how Bennett suggests navigating communication with someone like this:

  • Set a boundary to end the conversation when you notice toxic behavior such as invalidation of your feelings.
  • Receive support from another person so they can remind you of things you're trying to accomplish

If you're dealing with a friend or spouse, Bennett wants you to remember "you cannot change them" but you're in control of how you respond. English says, "It is important to analyze the whole situation and know when the cost of the relationship is greater than the benefits."

Bennett's last piece of advice is to know when to walk away" by having a "deep awareness for how you are feeling." You can do this by "checking in with your body and thoughts" so you can understand how you "respond to stress," according to her. She says this will give you more "clues on what when it's time to step away!"

Read more of our relationships articles to learn how to navigate tough situations in 2025!

Spring will be here before you know it, and if you're anything like me, you don’t think it’s entirely too crazy to be dreaming of warmer weather right now – especially as we face some insanely cold temperatures. In the vein of embracing big spring energy, I’m already thinking about my warm-weather wardrobe, and the first item on my wishlist is none other than a drop waist dress!

Fitting for everything from beachside strolls to breezy farmer’s market visits, drop waist dresses are such a cute (and easy!) way to look stylish while the sun’s beaming.

Scroll on for the cutest drop waist dresses I’m dreaming of for springtime and beyond!

Anthropologie

Anthropologie The Josephine Smocked Drop-Waist Dress

Covered in colorful blooms, this drop waist dress supplies plenty of fun hues you can use to pair your accessories and shoes with to tie things all together.

Free People

Free People Need To Know Mini Dress

I love all the drama this dress brings. From the oversized, scalloped collar to the whimsical puff sleeves, it's all brought together with a flattering drop waist silhouette. The mini length makes this style undeniably spring- and summer-ready, though you could easily style it for colder weather with tights, tall boots, and a denim jacket!

Anthropologie

S/W/F Sleeveless Drop-Waist Maxi Dress

The exaggerated drop waist on this maxi moment elongates your figure, flattering it to a tee. Plus, the trendy leopard print will earn you major style points! Whether you wear it with sandals or sneakers, you really can't go wrong with this design.

Target

Wild Fable Drop Waist Mini Tennis Dress

The pleating on this pick brings a unique flair to your typical drop waist dress. In my opinion, the details really complete the look, so all you've gotta do is pick out a good shoe, grab your favorite bag, and hit the streets.

Anthropologie

For Love & Lemons Gingerbread Gingham Dress

This gingham is beyond dreamy. This drop waist dress has such a playful retro feel to it, thanks to the bustier-style bodice, open back, and midi length. I'd style it with some kitten heels and bold sunglasses to lean into the throwback of it all!

Free People

Free People Roadhouse Mini Dress

A denim dress will get me every freakin' time. This detailed long sleeve style is truly anything but boring!

Abercrombie & Fitch

Abercrombie & Fitch Drop-Waist Midi Dress

The duo-tone design of this midi-length drop waist dress breaks up your look perfectly, plus, it provides a bold foundation for having tons of fun with accessories and outerwear layers!

Banana Republic

Banana Republic Crepe Twist-Shoulder Dress

Okay, this chartreuse color is to die for. If you're looking for a drop waist dress that makes a statement, this is it.

Free People

Free People Onda Drop-Waist Tube Midi

For the warmer months where you also want to get a lil' bit of sun on your shoulders, the strapless style of this midi drop waist dress comes in real handy.

Zara

Zara Bows Short Dress

I love that the boat neckline on this dress leans more modest while the mini length lets you show a good amount of leg. Plus, the deep brown color is easy to match with practically any piece you've got in your closet. The bows along the hips are the best part, of course!

Anthropologie

Celandine Strapless Drop-Waist Mini Dress

This mini strapless number is the perfect fit for any upcoming tropic getaway you've got planned. Even if a fancy beach vacation is not on your docket, you can still channel the laidback energy with this pick!

Target

Wild Fable Cap Sleeve Dropped Waist Knit Mini Shift Dress

This sophisticated drop waist dress instantly makes any occasion fashion-forward. I'd wear it with some sleek (and tall!) black boots to seal the deal.

Anthropologie

S/W/F Sleeveless Mottled Drop-Waist Midi Dress

This polka-dotted moment is sure to turn heads towards you, no matter where you take it.

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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.