Chipotle Brings New Chicken Option to Its Menu for the First Time in 30 Years
The chain’s Pollo Asado is tossed in a spice blend before getting grilled.
Photo courtesy of Chipotle
Chipotle has long been beloved for having a pretty streamlined menu, but the limited items they do offer they do exceptionally well. From burritos to salads, all the menu items are built around a rather short list of protein options that rarely change. So, when they do change, it’s big news. And the latest is the biggest menu update we’ve seen in a while.
Beginning today, Chipotle will be expanding their protein options by offering Pollo Asado at locations in the U.S. and Canada for a limited time. Chipotle brought Carne Asado to their menus a few years ago to much excitement, and the chicken equivalent is sure to get a similar response.
The first chicken innovation at the chain since its inception nearly 30 years ago, The Pollo Asado is tossed in a spice blend and grilled before being hit with a flavorful marinade as well as freshly squeezed lime and cilantro.
“Chicken is easily our most popular protein, with many of our most loyal Chipotle customers ordering it the majority of the time,” said Chris Brandt, Chief Marketing Officer, in a press release. “We’re thrilled to introduce fans to another flavor of chicken that brings a whole new dimension to any Chipotle order and will certainly be a crowd pleaser.”
Photo courtesy of Chipotle
Adding a new chicken item to the menu of course comes at a time when the whole industry has been wild about chicken for a few years, with fried chicken sandwich wars seeming to never fully die down. Having a healthier, grilled chicken option that is also zesty and delicious feels rather timely.
We had the opportunity to try the new Pollo Asado, and we really liked it. The taste of the marinade of chiles and garlic and spices that include coriander and cumin, came out beautifully when blended with the other ingredients in our dish. We paired it with our Chipotle go-to, a burrito bowl and we even drizzled some queso on it for good measure. While the Carne Asado may be a bolder taste, especially for meat lovers, this is a great addition for those who prefer a healthier, lighter protein but still want it to be packed with flavor.
This is the latest menu addition that has gone through Chipotle’s stage-gate process, and the Pollo Asado was tested in select restaurants in Sacramento and Cincinnati starting in November 2021 for a limited time before now being rolled out nationwide, for a limited time.
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