Chipotle Adds Honey Chicken to Menu for Limited Time

Chipotle Mexican Grill is spicing things up with a new protein option, launching Chipotle Honey Chicken across its North American and United Kingdom locations. The limited-time offering debuted on Friday, March 7th, allowing customers to add a sweet and spicy twist to their favorite bowls, burritos, salads, and tacos.

Loyal Chipotle fans who are members of the Chipotle Rewards program got a special early taste of the new menu item on Thursday, March 6th. The exclusive early access was available through the Chipotle app, Chipotle.com, and Chipotle.ca, giving rewards members a head start in experiencing the latest culinary creation.

For those located in continental Europe, the wait is slightly longer. Chipotle Honey Chicken is scheduled to arrive in France and Germany starting Wednesday, March 12th, expanding the reach of the limited-time offering to a broader international audience.

Chipotle is touting the Honey Chicken as a "bold, new menu item" that expertly blends the unique heat of chipotle peppers with the delicate sweetness of pure wildflower honey. This combination of flavors is designed to appeal to a wide range of palates, offering a balanced and satisfying culinary experience.

The addition of Honey Chicken is a strategic move by Chipotle, capitalizing on the growing popularity of hot honey flavors. The company cited the National Restaurant Association’s "What’s Hot 2025 Culinary Forecast," which identifies hot honey as the top trending flavor, indicating a strong consumer demand for this type of flavor profile.

Before its nationwide rollout, Chipotle conducted test marketing of the Honey Chicken in select locations, namely Nashville and Sacramento. The results were overwhelmingly positive, with the protein quickly becoming a "fan favorite." This positive reception in the test markets provided Chipotle with confidence in the potential success of the Honey Chicken on a larger scale.

The secret to the Honey Chicken’s appeal lies in its balanced flavor and the use of real, high-quality ingredients. Chipotle’s Honey Chicken is crafted with fresh chicken, carefully seasoned with savory Mexican spices, and marinated in a mixture of seared, smoked chipotle peppers and a touch of pure honey. This meticulous preparation process ensures that each bite is bursting with flavor and delivers a satisfying culinary experience.

"Chipotle Honey Chicken was our top-performing limited-time offer in test markets, and we’re excited for guests to taste this bold, new protein with their go-to order," said Chris Brandt, Chief Brand Officer, in a press release. "The delicate balance of heat and a touch of sweet pairs perfectly with our real ingredients prepared fresh every day."

To simplify the ordering process and encourage customers to try the new protein, Chipotle is featuring the "Most Popular Chipotle Honey Chicken Bowl" on its app and website. This curated bowl provides a convenient and accessible way for guests to experience the Honey Chicken in a complete and satisfying meal.

The "Most Popular Chipotle Honey Chicken Bowl" is a substantial offering, weighing in at 880 calories. It features the Honey Chicken as the star ingredient, accompanied by a medley of classic Chipotle favorites, including white rice, black beans, fajita veggies, fresh tomato salsa, roasted chili-corn salsa, sour cream, cheese, and lettuce. This combination of ingredients provides a diverse range of flavors and textures, creating a well-rounded and enjoyable dining experience.

The introduction of Chipotle Honey Chicken represents a significant addition to Chipotle’s menu, offering customers a new and exciting protein option to customize their meals. By tapping into the growing trend of hot honey flavors and utilizing high-quality ingredients, Chipotle is aiming to attract new customers and further solidify its position as a leader in the fast-casual dining industry. The limited-time availability of the Honey Chicken adds a sense of urgency and encourages customers to try it before it’s gone, potentially driving sales and increasing brand awareness. The emphasis on real ingredients and fresh preparation aligns with Chipotle’s commitment to quality and transparency, reinforcing its brand values and appealing to health-conscious consumers. The Honey Chicken rollout is being supported by a comprehensive marketing campaign, including digital advertising, social media engagement, and in-store promotions. This multifaceted approach is designed to reach a wide audience and generate buzz around the new menu item.

The success of Chipotle Honey Chicken will depend on several factors, including customer reception, operational efficiency, and the effectiveness of the marketing campaign. However, the initial response from test markets and the strong industry trend of hot honey flavors suggest that the Honey Chicken has the potential to be a popular and successful addition to Chipotle’s menu. It also provides a new option for those looking to try other things besides the normal steak, chicken, carnitas, barbacoa, sofritas, or veggies.