Big changes are coming to America's favorite fast-casual Mexican chain, as customers dub a new menu item a 'hail mary' attempt to win back cost-conscious customers. For the first time ever, Chipotle is testing a 'crispy chicken' dish at select stores in California. The new menu item comes with a crunchy coating on juicy, hand-cut chicken cubes that can be added to burritos, tacos, salads, bowls or on the side as a 'high protein cup' option.
There's no word yet if or when it will be available nationwide, as Chipotle is still in the early stages of testing. In a statement to USA Today, Chipotle said it would 'use guest and operational feedback to determine whether to move forward with a broader market test' - or a nationwide launch.
Some customers have already been circulating their reviews online: One TikTok user shared a video claiming the chicken was 'actually crispy,' and viewers could hear the crunch as she took a bite. Other Chipotle regulars were not so enthusiastic, with some calling the move a 'last-ditch effort' to get new customers through the door.
'I think this is a intent to capture a very specific target,' wrote one Reddit user, 'not sure if younger or cultural stuff, but I think the people that usually eat a Chipotle are generally people that take care of the health, that don't like ultra processed food like McDonald's.'
Some customers said they worried about contamination with other menu items, especially those with celiac disease who can't eat gluten. Chipotle confirmed the crispy chicken is gluten-free but it has not been added to the company's allergen chart yet.
'They can take honey chicken from my cold, dead hands,' another Reddit user said, mentioning a fan-favorite protein that only recently returned to Chipotle. Beginning April 28, Chipotle added Chipotle Honey Chicken back to its menus for a limited time. This protein, originally introduced in 2025, is marinated with chipotle peppers and doused in honey, as opposed to the regular chicken, which is marinated overnight in chipotle pepper adobo. When the Chipotle Honey Chicken first launched, it earned the chain's highest order rates of any limited-time offering, meaning its return is welcomed by many.
But some social media users shared their concern that adding crispy chicken would mean the honey chicken would be stripped away. 'Listen I love me a good crispy chicken salad but this is really off brand for Chipotle,' one Reddit user wrote. 'Bring back my chorizo, too!'
Chipotle is known for its customizable menu items, with protein options like chicken, steak and plant-based sofritas. The chain frequently swaps out protein options, with offerings ranging from smoked brisket to chicken al pastor to carne asada. The chain first introduced its 'high protein cup' with adobo chicken, a four-ounce side that weighed in at 180 calories and 32g of protein, priced starting at $3.50.
For some, this pivot to crispy chicken is too 'off brand' for the Mexican-inspired fast casual spot, with one Reddit user asking: 'did Chipotle forget it was a Mexican restaurant?' Chipotle has over 4,000 locations, making it one of the most popular fast casual Mexican food chains. The chain's CEO Scott Boatwright revealed that Chipotle added more than 300 new restaurants and made progress on its 'operating initiatives' just months after introducing the Honey Chicken in 2025.
Compared with other fast-casual eateries, Chipotle has generally outperformed rivals like Sweetgreen and Cava on scale and profitability but is facing similar pressure industry-wide as consumers seek out cheaper options.
