Chipotle Is Testing a New Honey Chicken Flavor. Here’s What We Know About It

Chipotle has announced that it is testing a new honey chicken flavor in 80 of its restaurants. Let’s take a look at what else we know about this launch.

Chipotle Honey Chicken: Newest Flavor

In a press release announcement, it was revealed that as of Tuesday, Aug. 27, 80 restaurants in Sacramento, California, and Nashville, Tennessee, are testing the new Chipotle Honey Chicken. With a distinct heat from adobo peppers and a hint of sweetness from pure honey that sets it apart from other proteins, the newest addition to the chicken menu is sure to liven up customers’ favorite dishes.

The brand’s culinary team developed a daring new take on hot honey made entirely with real ingredients to produce this new chicken menu innovation. Seared and smoked adobo (chipotle) peppers are marinated in a mixture of flavorful Mexican spices, and pure honey is added just before serving. As part of its stage-gate procedure, the corporation conducted customer taste tests prior to introducing the limited-time chicken into test markets. Chipotle Honey Chicken’s spicy and sweet flavors exceeded customers’ expectations and received the greatest ratings of any chicken innovation that the popular chain has sensory tested.

“Consumers have clearly shown their enthusiasm for sweet heat flavor combinations,” said Chris Brandt, the company’s chief brand officer, in a statement accompanying 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.”

The premium chicken menu items Chicken al Pastor and Pollo Asado were introduced by Chipotle throughout the last two years. With chicken being the most popular protein in the business, these exclusive menu items are sure to captivate customers. For instance, Chicken al Pastor returned after just one year of its initial launch in March 2023, having been the most requested menu item during its maiden campaign.

Playing Games for Free Food

This is just the latest development from the popular fast-food chain. Earlier this month, the company announced that it had brought back a popular game so customers could earn points for free food.

The trivia game “tests fans’ knowledge of Chipotle’s real ingredients, leading food standards, culinary techniques, sustainability efforts, brand history, and community engagement,” according to the press release.

From Aug. 20 to Aug. 22, customers could play Chipotle IQ. The restaurant offered “5,000 BOGO codes per hour to the first Chipotle Rewards members who score a 10 out of 10 on Chipotle IQ. The game features multiple choice, true or false questions, and write-in answers. Fans can play Chipotle IQ once per day,” according to its website.

The statement continued: “A perfect score will unlock an extra credit question, and if answered correctly, fans will be entered to win one of 50 free burritos for a year prizes. Ready to test your knowledge? Visit www.chipotleiq.com and enter the email tied to your Chipotle Rewards account to begin!”

Customers who won a BOGO code can use it in-store, on the mobile app, or online to receive one regular menu entrée item for free when they purchase another menu entrée item at regular price. A standard menu entrée item is defined as a salad, quesadilla (available only through the app or on the website), single order of three tacos, burrito, or burrito bowl.

“This marks the fifth year that we’re testing our fans’ knowledge with Chipotle IQ,” said Brandt in the press release. “With four million game plays since we introduced the concept, we believe there’s an appetite for competition and free burritos. For anyone looking to get ahead, one hint is that we use 48 avocados in every batch of our hand-mashed guac.”