One food trend is abundantly clear. Bland is boring. Taco Bell is ready to bring the heat to its popular Cantina Chicken Menu. Ready to ignite the tastebuds with the new Caliente Cantina Chicken Menu?
Spicy, fiery, bold food is everywhere. It is more than spicy challenges that have people tapping out in defeat and grabbing a glass of milk. From restaurants to the home kitchen, peppers, spices, and more add depth to popular dishes and recipes. Gone are the days where salt and pepper were sufficient. People want to feel that tingle, flushed face, or some type of immediate response when they eat.
Restaurants have been catering to those cravings. Favorite menu items have been transformed with amplified flavors. From condiments to seasoning blends, plain food has been tabled like the popularity of plant-based alternatives.
Why is not the time to launch Taco Bell’s Caliente Cantina Chicken Menu?
According to Taco Bell, the Cantina Chicken Menu was a hugely successful menu launch. Earnings calls reported that “1 out of every 4 Taco Bell orders” included one of those menu items. Expanding that category is smart. With a built-in audience, guests will happily place that order, again and again.
As shared Taco Bell Global Chief Food Innovation Officer, Liz Matthews explained, "It’s been nearly a year since we launched the beloved Cantina Chicken Menu, and we knew it was time to turn up the heat. We experimented with different peppers, spice blends, and heat levels to craft the spicier alter ego to Cantina Chicken, one that brings just the right amount of fiery kick. With the Caliente Cantina Chicken Menu, we’ve struck that balance, delivering a fresh, zesty, and flavor-packed take for those ready to embrace their bolder side."
The new Caliente Cantina Chicken Menu features a Caliente Sauce. Made with red jalapeños, the sauce is bold but not overly intense. As the jalapenos ripen to their red state, the flavor develops a touch of sweetness. A combination of a subtle heat and a hint of sweet, the flavor not only works well with the slow-roasted chicken, but also, it makes it approachable for a wide range of preferences.
The Caliente Sauce can be added to any Taco Bell menu item for an additional cost. Also, the sauce will be featured on the following food items: Caliente Cantina Chicken Crispy Taco, Caliente Cantina Chicken Soft Taco, Caliente Cantina Chicken Burrito, Caliente Cantina Chicken Quesadilla, and Caliente Cantina Chicken Bowl.
Expanding the Cantina Chicken Menu via a new sauce is smart for Taco Bell. Beyond the built-in audience, it is an easy addition that does not require a large change. Could Taco Bell continue to expand this menu segment with additional sauces? Guests will have to wait and see but the concept seems to have merit. A verde sauce, a smoky chipotle, or even a mole would be well-received.
The Caliente Cantina Chicken Menu is available for Taco Bell Rewards Members now. Everyone else will have to wait till February 27 for that first taste.