Slideshow: New menu items from Chipotle, Wendy’s and KFC
KANSAS CITY — As spring is slowly coming across the United States, foodservice locations are refreshing menus and ushering winter offerings out.
Chipotle Mexican Grill added a protein option, marking the first time the company has launched a new offering globally. The chicken al pastor features adobo flavors, Morita peppers and ground achiote, with pineapple and lime.
“Guests are looking to restaurants for unique menu items they cannot make at home, and al pastor has been gaining mass appeal in recent years,” said Chris Brandt, chief marketing officer. “We’ve put our own spicy spin on al pastor with our freshly grilled chicken and have created a truly delicious menu item that fans will crave. It's where fire meets flavor.”
Wendy’s also is expanding with its spring menu that includes three offerings: a blueberry pomegranate lemonade, a grilled chicken ranch wrap and a grilled chicken cobb salad. The grilled chicken cobb salad features applewood smoked bacon, tomatoes, grilled chicken, fried onions and diced eggs, while the grilled chicken ranch wrap features grilled chicken, cheddar cheese, romaine lettuce and ranch, served in a tortilla.
“It's no secret that at Wendy’s, we know ranch,” said John Li, vice president of culinary innovation for The Wendy’s Co. “There are many who’ve tried to master the grilled chicken wrap, but we’re not snacking around with our offering. From our classic creamy ranch sauce to the warm wrap folded perfectly for people on the move, our team built a wrap that's worthy of the entree menu.”
KFC is introducing Kentucky fried chicken nuggets to menus nationwide on March 27. After testing the nuggets in 2022, the chicken chain decided to make it a permanent menu addition.
“As the original fried chicken experts, we're introducing a chicken nugget made the way only KFC can — hand-breaded with our distinctive original recipe of 11 herbs and spices,” said Nick Chavez, chief marketing officer at KFC US. “Simply put, you've never had chicken nuggets like these — they're the chicken nugget America deserves, and worth the wait.”