Chipotle
A customer reads a sign posted on the door of a Chipotle Mexican Grill in New York February 8, 2016. Reuters/Brendan McDermid

Chiptole is changing up its traditional menu by adding a new chicken item to the Mexican grill. The popular chain will start featuring Pollo Asado in its protein lineup.

On Thursday, Chipotle announced the new chicken update to the menu is the first one in the restaurant’s 29-year history. Pollo Asado was initially tested in November 2021 in select locations throughout Sacramento and Cincinnati.

After listening and analyzing guest feedback, the company decided to do a national launch of the menu item for a limited time.

Pollo Asado is made up of Responsibly Raised chicken that is seasoned with a spice blend before it is seared on the plancha.

The new menu item, which is prepared in small batches, is then hand-chopped and coated with a savory marinade, cilantro, and fresh-squeezed lime.

To celebrate the launch of Pollo Asado, Chipotle is offering $0 delivery fees on all orders that include the new protein menu item.

Customers in the U.S. and Canada have until March 20 to add Pollo Asado to their orders to take advantage of the free delivery deal by using the Chipotle app and ordering online.

To qualify for the $0 delivery fee, customers must spend a minimum of $10, excluding tax and fees, and orders must include at least one entrée with Pollo Asado.

“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.

“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.”

The latest menu shake-up comes after Chipotle featured smoked brisket on the menu for a limited time. The item became the restaurant’s bestselling new menu item in the company’s recent history.

The Pollo Asado and smoked brisket menu additions are a part of the chain’s broader menu strategy to draw in more customers.

Pollo Asado will join Chipotle’s already popular adobo chicken in the meat section of the protein lineup.

Chipotle

Photo: REUTERS/Charles Platiau/File Photo