A new innovation is being tested at Chipotle Mexican Grill, and fans are already begging for it to be available nationwide.
The fast-food chain is testing crispy chicken as a brand-new menu item at select locations in California, including Tustin, a city in Orange County, fans confirmed online.
The protein option features breaded hand-cut chicken with a crunchy coating and juicy interior that can be added to burritos, tacos, salads or bowls, just like any other protein. It’s also free of preservatives, gluten or anything artificial, according to a Chipotle advertisement posted to popular food blog Snackolator.
One fan who tried it in both a burrito and a bowl shared on TikTok that the chicken was “actually crispy,” and viewers could hear the crunch as she took a bite.
“That adds a crazy crunch,” she said after she took a bite of the burrito filled with crispy chicken. “Even though there’s a bunch of wet ingredients in here, the chicken stays crunchy.”
As of now, the item is only available in a few locations — but fans are already begging for it to be available nationwide.
“I would definitely try this and would love for it to be a permanent addition to the menu,” someone commented.
“BRING IT ONNNNNN!!!!!” another exclaimed.
One fan who tried it shared on TikTok that the chicken was “actually crispy.” TikTok/@sophiesophss
“Now THIS would make me eat at Chipotle again,” one said.
“Need this in NY ASAP,” a New Yorker begged.
“This changes everything,” someone wrote.
“I need to try it so bad when it releases nationwide,” a Facebook user wrote.
“I think it might finally be a meat I could get both my kids to add to their tacos,” a mom added. “This is like a nugget.. much more kid friendly.”
Chipotle testing crispy chicken as a brand-new menu item. TikTok/@sophiesophss
However, some fans are skeptical, wondering if the chicken will remain crispy once its wrapped up into a burrito or piled onto a bowl.
“The breading will get soggy— gross,” one wrote.
“It will be crispy for about two minutes, then sit in a tray soggy,” someone said.
“Crispy chicken does not remain crispy after cutting it up. All that breading is gonna steam itself in 5 mins. Hard pass,” a Reddit user noted.
“My question is how they gonna change the format?” a customer asked. “I kinda wonder how they gonna keep it crispy? Like do they cut into pieces when orders come up?”
“& so many people purposely order Chipotle so they can have leftovers. this would never reheat nicely,” another pointed out.
