Taco Bell Kicks Up the Heat With All-New Caliente Cantina Chicken Menu

Taco Bell is upping the ante with its “cantina” offerings, dropping the Caliente Cantina Chicken Menu for its devoted patrons.

In a press release shared with RetailWire, the fast-food giant revealed that the Cantina Chicken earned a permanent place on the nationwide menu due to its overwhelming popularity. According to Yum! Brands’ Q2 2024 earnings call, Cantina Chicken was included in one out of every four Taco Bell orders.

In 2025, it’s time to step it up. This limited-time menu, topped with the new Caliente Sauce with red jalapeños, takes premium slow-roasted chicken and turns up the spiciness for those willing to embrace their stronger side. The Caliente Cantina Chicken Menu offers robust and savory spice options for tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and bowls, whether you’re a fan of Cantina Chicken or seeking a new favorite dish.

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The Caliente Cantina Chicken lineup includes:

• Caliente Cantina Chicken Crispy Taco ($2.99): A freshly fried white corn shell stuffed with slow-roasted chicken and a three-cheese blend, coated in a layer of grilled cheese for an extra crunch, then drizzled with bold Caliente Sauce.
• Caliente Cantina Chicken Soft Taco ($2.99): A warm, soft tortilla filled with slow-roasted chicken, crisp iceberg lettuce, shredded purple cabbage, cheddar cheese, and fresh pico de gallo, all brought together with a kick of Caliente Sauce.
• Caliente Cantina Chicken Burrito ($5.99): A hearty wrap featuring double the slow-roasted chicken (compared to the Cantina Chicken Soft Taco), combined with iceberg lettuce, shredded purple cabbage, cheddar cheese, pico de gallo, and a drizzle of fiery Caliente Sauce.
• Caliente Cantina Chicken Quesadilla ($6.49): A crispy, cheese-packed delight with slow-roasted chicken and a gooey three-cheese blend, grilled to perfection with an outer layer of melted cheese. Served with guacamole, reduced-fat sour cream, and a drizzle of Caliente Sauce for an extra spicy kick.
• Caliente Cantina Chicken Bowl ($7.99): A satisfying, flavor-loaded bowl featuring slow-roasted chicken, seasoned rice, black beans, crisp iceberg lettuce, shredded purple cabbage, pico de gallo, reduced-fat sour cream, guacamole, cheddar cheese, and a bold splash of Caliente Sauce.
• Caliente Sauce: Turn up the heat by adding the all-new Caliente Sauce to any Taco Bell menu item for an extra fiery twist (available for an additional charge).

Taco Bell Previously Unveiled Birthday Cake Churros

Last week, Taco Bell and Milk Bar released the ultimate cuisine mash-up: Milk Bar Birthday Cake Churros, a sweet spin on the popular Mexican dish in honor of the fast-food chain’s 63rd year in business.

Taco Bell has given a twist to the cinnamon sugar sweetness of a typical churro by incorporating Milk Bar’s renowned birthday cake blend to create a completely new flavor. Milk Bar is a New York-based bakery known for its layer cakes and cake bites.

These churros are filled with birthday cake frosting and topped with pink confetti sprinkles. Fans can get their hands on this delicious new delicacy while supplies last, for only $2.99 for two churros or $1.99 for one.

“We love partnerships that play with form and flavor, which is exactly what we’ve done with this extra-celebratory take on the churro,” shared Taco Bell’s global chief food innovation officer, Liz Matthews. “A visit to Taco Bell isn’t complete without savoring the sweets, and this special little treat captures the sweet, nostalgic birthday cake flavors and festive feeling with every bite, making every occasion feel like your special day.”

“For over 16 years, Milk Bar has been a part of so many people’s birthdays and special moments, so we were beyond excited when our friends at Taco Bell asked us if we were game to collab on another dessert to turn everyday moments into celebrations,” said Christina Tosi, chef and founder of Milk Bar. “This treat has all the iconic birthday cake spirit (and flavor), deliciously and uniquely delivered in crispy churro form, and we can’t wait for you to try it!”