Every so often, Chipotle likes to throw a brand-new protein option into the mix. It keeps our lives exciting. The burrito mogul wowed me, a professional fast-food critic, with smoked brisket in October. Now, Chipotle Honey Chicken has stepped out of the test kitchen and into the spotlight. Heres exactly what I thought about it.
Chipotle recently unveiled an exciting new limited-time menu item the Chipotle Honey Chicken. This tender grilled chicken is marinated in a blend of smoky chipotle peppers and sweet wildflower honey, bringing the perfect balance of heat and sweet to your burrito bowl or taco
As a Chipotle fan I was eager to try the new protein and see how it compared to my usual go-to orders. In this article I’ll give you all the details on Chipotle’s new honey chicken what it tastes like, how spicy it is, what’s in the recipe, and whether it’s worth ordering before it’s gone.
An Overview of Chipotle’s New Chipotle Honey Chicken
Chipotle released the new Chipotle Honey Chicken across the country on March 7, 2023, but only for a short time. It’s also available in Canada, the UK, France, and Germany.
The chicken is marinated in Chipotle’s signature honey vinaigrette – a blend of pure honey and smoked chipotle peppers. It’s designed to provide a sweet and spicy flavor profile.
The honey chicken was tested in two markets in 2024, and it quickly became the best-selling limited-time item for the brand. Because the tests went well, they decided to offer it in more places in North America and Europe.
The new protein can be added to any entrée, including bowls, burritos, tacos, quesadillas, and salads. It pairs well with creamy or tangy toppings like queso blanco, guacamole, and fresh tomato salsa to balance the sweet and spicy flavors.
My Review of the New Chipotle Honey Chicken
I tried the Chipotle Honey Chicken in both a quesadilla and a burrito bowl. Here are my thoughts:
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It delivers the perfect sweet and spicy flavor. It’s nice and spicy from the chipotle peppers, and sweet from the pure honey. It makes me think of Mike’s Hot Honey or hot barbecue sauce.
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It has a wonderful marinated flavor. Unlike plain grilled chicken, the marinade gives this honey chicken a lot of flavor. You can tell it soaks in and permeates the meat.
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The heat level is mild. I’d describe it as a warm, lingering heat rather than a punch of spice. I think it’s calibrated for mass appeal.
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It pairs great with cool, creamy toppings. The fresh tomato salsa, sour cream, cheese, and guac all work nicely to complement the chicken.
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The quesadilla really showcases the honey chicken. Letting it star on its own in the quesadilla allows for optimal flavor.
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It could elevate any Chipotle order. I think this will be my new go-to protein instead of steak or carnitas when building bowls and burritos.
Overall, Chipotle’s new honey chicken is a winner in my book. It’s sure to please spice lovers and sweet fans alike. I highly recommend trying it soon before it disappears from menus!
Frequently Asked Questions About the New Item
Here are answers to some common questions about Chipotle’s new limited-time chicken offering:
What is Chipotle Honey Chicken?
It’s Chipotle’s chicken marinated and grilled with a special blend of smoked chipotle peppers and wildflower honey.
What does it taste like?
The flavor profile is a balance of sweet from the honey and smoky spice from the chipotle peppers.
How spicy is the Chipotle Honey Chicken?
It provides a mild to medium level of heat, not an intense spicy kick. The sweet honey helps offset the spice.
What’s in the honey chicken recipe?
Chipotle said the chicken is marinated in their honey vinaigrette – a blend of pure honey and seared, smoked chipotle peppers.
Is the new chicken gluten-free?
Yes, the chicken meat itself is gluten-free, making it safe for gluten-sensitive diners.
Is it dairy-free and soy-free?
The chicken contains no dairy or soy, though diners need to customize orders to avoid these allergens from other ingredients.
Does the honey chicken contain sulfites?
Yes, Chipotle indicated the new chicken contains sulfites, which some people are sensitive to.
How long will it be available?
Likely only a few months. Chipotle typically rotates limited-time offerings quickly.
Can I order it online or on the app?
Yes, it can be ordered for pickup or delivery through the Chipotle website, mobile app, and third-party delivery partners.
How Chipotle Makes and Prepares the New Chicken
As a company focused on food quality and transparency, Chipotle uses responsibly raised chicken and prepares it fresh daily in-house for the Chipotle Honey Chicken.
Here are some key facts about how the chicken is made:
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It is delivered as whole, raw chicken to stores daily.
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Chicken is seasoned and marinated in a proprietary blend of honey and chipotle peppers.
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Chicken is grilled in small batches on an open flame grill throughout the day.
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Grilled chicken is chopped by hand every few hours to maintain freshness.
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No preservatives, artificial flavors, or colors are added.
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Stores follow food safety procedures like routine handwashing and sanitization.
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Chicken is only held for a short time before it is discarded if not used.
Chipotle emphasizes that the difference people taste comes from using real, fresh ingredients prepared in-house. The honey chicken is not made from frozen or pre-processed chicken.
Why Chipotle Honey Chicken is a Worthy Menu Addition
There are several reasons why Chipotle’s new honey chicken is an exciting and welcome menu item, even if only temporary:
It provides a new flavor profile. The sweet and spicy honey chicken gives customers a different choice beyond the usual proteins.
It capitalizes on the rising hot honey trend. Using smoky honey as a marinade lets Chipotle offer a popular sweet-heat flavor.
It appeals to spice lovers. The chipotle peppers bring a mild heat that chili heads will appreciate.
It satisfies folks craving something sweet. The honey adds a craveable sweetness to balance the spice.
It will attract customers. Unique limited-time offerings generate buzz and entice people to visit.
It caters to the adventurous. Those wanting to expand their palate get to experiment with a new flavor.
It encourages larger orders. People will likely order it in addition to, not instead of, their regular proteins.
It drives app and web orders. Chipotle makes the item available early online as an incentive to order direct.
It only requires training employees on one new recipe. Adding a fresh protein maximizes flavor without overcomplicating kitchen operations.
Judging from the positive response so far, Chipotle has a hit on its hands with the Chipotle Honey Chicken. Savvy menu innovation strikes again!
The Takeaway: Don’t Miss This Limited-Time Chicken
Chipotle did an excellent job developing the new Chipotle Honey Chicken. It offers the ideal blend of savory, sweet, and spicy flavors in an always tender and juicy grilled chicken.
The honey chicken elevates any Chipotle order, whether you put it in a simple protein bowl, loaded burrito, or cheesy quesadilla. It truly is one of the best things Chipotle has ever offered.
I highly recommend that all Chipotle fans try the Chipotle Honey Chicken before it leaves menus in a few months. It’s bound to become your new go-to protein item for burritos and bowls!
What is Chipotle Honey Chicken?The Chipotle Honey Chicken starts as a whole chicken marinated in a secret recipe, though it’s no secret that the recipe has plenty of pureed chipotle peppers in adobo. It’s seasoned with a blend of Mexican spices before being tossed on the grill. When the chicken is almost fully cooked, it’s drizzled with wildflower honey, which caramelizes slightly over the hot flames, balancing all that peppery heat with a touch of sweetness. Finally, it’s sliced and chopped into bite-sized pieces.
