Chipotle is adding a new menu item worldwide

The chicken is seasoned with adobo, morita peppers and ground achiote. Fresh lime juice and pineapple will be squeezed on top for that tangy sweetness that is so often associated with al pastor, Chipotle said.

Chipotle said it is making chicken al pastor its latest new item because a recent menu trends report suggested that al pastor is one of the “fastest growing Mexican dishes.” The data also suggested that diners who eat at restaurants order foods they cannot easily make at home.

“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,” Chris Brandt, chief marketing officer, said in the press release. “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.”

Ironically, Chipotle’s chicken al pastor will not be cooked on a trompo — a rotating spit lined with meat to last the whole day with close contact to fire that gives traditional al pastor the smoky layer of flavor and serendipitous charred bites. The Chipotle version will be made in “small batches throughout the day.”

To entice loyal customers, and new ones too, Chipotle plans to offer free delivery for all chicken al pastor items from March 16 to March 26 for customers ordering in the United States. To qualify, one must order at least $10 of food (and a max of $200) and can only order on the Chipotle website or the Chipotle app.

Chipotle tested the menu item at 94 stores in Denver and Indianapolis before launching the new product. “Strong feedback” led to a global rollout all at once, the company said. Chipotle did not specify how long chicken al pastor will be available.