WIKIMEDIA: MIKE MOZART
Chipotle may finally be adding crispy chicken to its menu, but fans will have to travel to a single California location to try it.
The new menu item was spotted at a Chipotle restaurant in Tustin, California, after food creators Snackolator, BookofLeile, and Foodbeast shared photos and videos of the test item online.
According to signage shared on social media, the item is called “New Crispy Chicken” and is described as “hand cut and juicy,” “raised without antibiotics,” and free of preservatives, gluten, and artificial ingredients. The sign also confirms the item is currently “testing in select locations now.”
The test immediately sparked discussion online, with many comparing the item to Chick-fil-A style chicken being added to Chipotle burritos and bowls.
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Chipotle fans react to crispy chicken test
The crispy chicken appears to feature breaded and fried chicken pieces that can be added to traditional Chipotle menu items, including burritos, bowls, tacos, and salads.
So far, the item has only been confirmed at the Tustin, California restaurant, and Chipotle has not officially announced a wider rollout or nationwide release plans.
Fans online were quick to speculate whether crispy chicken could become a permanent menu item if the California test performs well.
Chipotle has increasingly leaned into limited tests and regional menu experiments before launching items nationwide, including previous additions like Chicken al Pastor and its honey chicken tests.
The crispy chicken test also arrives just weeks after Chipotle CEO Scott Boatwright addressed the chain’s ongoing serving size controversy, telling customers they should “just ask” for more food if they want larger portions.
