The popular fast food Mexican chain, Chipotle, is back at it again with a new innovative menu item. The culinary team has decided to whip up something new and spicy to the menu and exclusively in two cities: Sacramento, California and Nashville, Tennessee. From mango jalapeno salsa to pear and black pepper jam, there is something timeless about pairing sweet with spicy. While the two flavors might seem to be on the opposite end of the flavor spectrum, the complex bond of the two ends up perfectly balancing each other. While the sugar can tame the heat, the spice adds a unique flavor. Chipotle chefs applied that lesson in the kitchen. So what is the new menu item? Chipotle Honey Chicken.
What’s Chipotle’s new chicken flavor?
While the leafy greens and fluffy cilantro rice might hold the base of a bowl or burrito, the two can never fulfill the rich and satisfying flavor of umami. That is only present with chicken, steak, or barbacoa; with less fat, lower calories, and better protein, chicken reigns supreme. Chipotle has already introduced some great flavors in the past with chicken flavors like Pollo Asado — chicken featuring a spiced blend and lime and cilantro — and Chicken Al Pastor — a splash of pineapple combined with the lime and cilantro.
To add to the new chicken flavor profile, Chipotle went for something sweet and spicy — swicy. Chipotle Honey Chicken is marinated with a blend of spicy smoked adobo chipotle peppers, Mexican spices, and pure honey.
“Consumers have clearly shown their enthusiasm for sweet heat flavor combinations,” said Chris Brandt, Chief Brand Officer in the press release. “We have had tremendous success with ‘swicy’ innovations and believe Chipotle Honey Chicken will capture fans with a whole new level of excitement.”
At the heart of the booming business is the value of cultivating a better world by providing people with sustainably sourced real food. Chipotle’s promise to keep it real has been steadfastly kept with the fast food chain having compiled a list of all 53 ingredients that can be easily recognized and pronounced to prove it. This goes for the chicken as well. Chipotle sources only from Responsibly Raised Birds, which means the chickens are given a vegetarian diet and no preservatives.
Where can I try Chipotle’s new chicken flavor?
Chipotle is exclusively testing the protein for a limited time at 80 store locations in Nashville and Sacramento starting Tuesday, August 27.
With the success of Pollo Asado and Chicken Al Pastor, the new Chipotle Honey Chicken is sure to capture the attention of Chipotle fans everywhere. The new flavor will only be available for a limited time in these two specific areas, but hey, if the residents in Nashville and Sacramento love it, fingers crossed we can expect the new chicken flavor to be available in Chipotle locations nationwide.