Issues are shifting at Chipotle. For years the fast-casual chain’s menu remained principally unchanged. Positive, you’d get a brand new menu merchandise often, however as an alternative of one thing substantial, it at all times gave the impression to be stuff like… queso. However over the previous six months, Chipotle has been on a gradual clip of releasing new protein choices, and that’s a fairly large deal. Chipotle’s queso is terrible, it might probably solely damage meals, however a brand new protein choice? That’s straight-up game-changing.
September gave us a deliciously marinated candy and tender smoked brisket, January introduced us plant-based chorizo, Chipotle’s first new vegan-friendly protein choice since sofritas, and now the model is dropping a model new hen recipe — pollo asado.
Accessible for an unspecified restricted time, Chipotle’s pollo asado is grilled in small batches, tumbled in earthy spices, cooked entire, and hand-chopped. The brand new protein was first rolled out in November of final 12 months in Sacramento and Cincinnati and after a profitable take a look at launch, it’s now accessible in any respect Chipotle’s nationwide and thru Canada.
Provided that we’ve already reviewed and ranked each single Chipotle protein in existence, we needed to hit the pollo asado to see the way it fares and whether or not it deserves everlasting menu standing. Let’s eat!
Pollo Asado
To pattern Chipotle’s pollo asado, I ate the meat in a burrito (see our recipe for the right Chipotle burrito) in addition to took a number of items out to style alone.
Based on Chipotle’s press launch, the brand new pollo asado is Chipotle’s first hen menu innovation within the firm’s 29-year historical past. That. Is. Ridiculous. 29 years? To start with, we didn’t even know Chipotle has been a factor for 29 years, however to not change the hen a single time in that span is loopy for a quick meals model.
By comparability, over the previous 29 years McDonald’s has given is one thing like eight totally different hen sandwiches. Most likely an entire bunch of regional drops, too.
Chipotle has modified the pinto beans, they’ve modified the queso, and so they added two totally different plant-based proteins earlier than introducing a brand new hen choice? That should imply Chipotle’s OG hen is fairly rattling in style. You don’t mess with a greatest vendor (see the longevity of GTA V and Mario Kart 8 within the online game world) which suggests Chipotle has to assume they’ve actually cooked up one thing good to compete.
We’re joyful to say that not solely is Chipotle’s Pollo Asado good, nevertheless it’s additionally higher by a big diploma in comparison with the previous hen. Which we’ll now ceaselessly dismissively check with as, “the previous hen.”
We’re together with a press photograph for the reason that burrito doesn’t give a good suggestion as to what this meat really seems to be like. It’s not fairly as well-lit and shiny in the true world, and there are sadly no flecks of recent cilantro thrown in, however this can be a fairly good illustration of how juicy it seems.
Pollo asado, on the earth of Mexican delicacies (shout out to Cuba too), is just citrus and spice-marinated grilled hen meat, and that’s precisely what Chipotle’s model is. Chipotle hasn’t explicitly dropped the elements of the marinade, however we’re tasting citrus prime notes, over an oregano and pepper-dominated physique, with the bitter earthy chunk of achiote, which is what provides this hen its appetizing crimson coloration. Cilantro actually helps to maintain this meat tasting recent, Chipotle wants so as to add cilantro as one in every of their customizable choices as a result of each one in every of their dishes could possibly be elevated with cilantro (besides should you’re a supertaster).
The serving of meat I had was juicy and tender, considerably much less dry than Chipotle’s common hen choice, and featured smokey and mouthwatering spicy flavors that tingled on the palate on the aftertaste.
The Backside Line:
Chipotle followers rejoice, that is the very best new menu addition in Chipotle’s 29 (!!!) 12 months run. It’s surely the very best meat you will get at Chipotle proper now, it’s extra savory than Chipotle’s barbacoa (our present favourite), specializing in zesty citrus notes and earthy pepper flavors over sweetness whereas being each bit as tender.
In the event you haven’t been to Chipotle in a minute or you’ve gotten doubts that Chipotle is nice within the first place, it’s well worth the journey for a second analysis. Whereas I’ve solely sampled the burrito, this protein choice appears an ideal match for tacos, bowls, and salads alike. Or higher but — a quesadilla.
Discover your nearest Chipotle right here.
