Chipotle has introduced a new menu item called Honey Chicken, designed to rival a similar offering recently released by KFC. The chain confirmed in a press release that this new dish is now available to Chipotle Rewards members at select locations.
The Honey Chicken features a blend of Mexican spices, chipotle peppers, and pure honey. It first gained popularity during test runs in Nashville, Tennessee, and Sacramento, California.
“Chipotle Honey Chicken was our top-performing limited-time offer in test markets,” said Chris Brand, Chipotle’s Chief Brand Officer. “We’re excited for guests to try this bold, new protein alongside their favorite orders. The delicate balance of heat and a touch of sweetness pairs perfectly with our fresh ingredients.”
For those not yet in the Rewards program, the Honey Chicken will be available to all customers across North America and the UK starting tomorrow. Fans in France and Germany can order it beginning March 12. However, Chipotle has confirmed that the Honey Chicken will only be offered for a limited time.
This launch follows KFC’s own honey-themed menu debut. KFC introduced Mike’s Hot Honey items on February 9, coinciding with Super Bowl Sunday. The chain combined its signature fried chicken with the sweet-and-spicy Mike’s Hot Honey sauce.
“Combining KFC’s flavorful fried chicken with the bold, sweet heat of Mike’s Hot Honey just makes sense,” said Catherine Tan-Gillespie, KFC US Chief Marketing Officer and Development Officer. “Crispy, juicy, salty, spicy, sweet — it’s food alchemy that’s meant to be! These new meal deals are so irresistibly finger lickin’ good, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them.”
Like Chipotle’s Honey Chicken, KFC’s Hot Honey items are also limited-time offers.
Mike Kurtz, founder of Mike’s Hot Honey, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with KFC. “Partnering with a beloved brand like KFC is a dream come true. Growing up, I loved their iconic fried chicken buckets. It was one of my first drizzles when I created Mike’s Hot Honey. The sweet heat pairs perfectly with their Original Recipe chicken, and I’m thrilled everyone will get to enjoy this delicious combination.”
Both Chipotle’s and KFC’s new chicken dishes have received positive feedback on social media. One Instagram user commented, “Just when we were going to stop buying lunches out,” referring to Chipotle’s Honey Chicken launch. Another wrote, “THATS ON MY BIRTHDAYYY THANK YOU CHIPOTLE.”
Chipotle’s Honey Chicken release comes shortly after the company reported strong financial results for 2024. CEO Scott Boatwright revealed that the chain added over 300 new restaurants and made progress on key operating initiatives. For the quarter ending December 31, 2024, Chipotle’s revenue reached $2.8 billion, a 13.1 percent increase from the same period last year.
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