The Bitter Truth: Is Chipotle Honey Chicken Discontinued? (Current Menu Status 2025)

The simple, yet disappointing answer for fans hoping to find the sweet and smoky protein on the menu today, December 16, 2025, is yes: the beloved Chipotle Honey Chicken is currently discontinued. This fan-favorite protein was a highly successful, albeit temporary, limited-time offering (LTO) that has since been removed from the national menu. Its disappearance has sparked significant debate and a wave of nostalgia among customers who crave its unique flavor profile, which stood out distinctly from Chipotle’s traditional Adobo-marinated chicken.

The Honey Chicken, officially described as chicken marinated with smoky chipotle peppers and a hint of pure honey, was introduced as a culinary experiment and a way to offer a different taste experience. While its run was short, its impact was major, leaving a void that the chain has since tried to fill with other innovative LTOs. The question now is not just *if* it’s gone, but *when*—or *if*—this sweet sensation will ever make a triumphant return.

The History of Chipotle Honey Chicken: From Debut to Disappearance

The Chipotle Honey Chicken was never intended to be a permanent fixture on the menu, a fact that contributes to the ongoing confusion and disappointment among customers. It followed a well-established pattern for the brand: introducing a unique protein for a limited run to test market interest, generate buzz, and drive traffic. This strategy keeps the menu fresh without overcomplicating the supply chain or kitchen operations.

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A Brief Timeline of the Sweet and Smoky Sensation

• The Debut (Approx. 2022): The Chipotle Honey Chicken was launched as a limited-time offering. It was marketed as a tender, juicy, and grilled chicken, marinated with smoky chipotle peppers and a hint of pure honey. This flavor was a significant departure from the standard, savory Adobo Chicken.
• The Popularity Peak: The item quickly became a massive hit. Customers praised the balanced flavor—the sweetness of the honey cutting through the smokiness of the chipotle—making it a perfect addition to bowls, burritos, and salads. Its popularity was so high that many assumed it would become a permanent menu item.
• The Discontinuation (Approx. August 2022): Despite its success, the Honey Chicken was phased out as planned. Customers began receiving notifications via the Chipotle app that the item would no longer be served after a specific date, sparking immediate outcry on social media platforms like Reddit. The removal was described by some fans as "absolutely tragic."
• The Current Status (2025): The item remains discontinued. Chipotle has since focused its LTO efforts on other popular items, such as the returning Carne Asada and newer sauces like the Adobo Ranch and Red Chimichurri.

The primary reason for its removal, as with most LTOs, is a business decision. While fans speculate about profit margins and ingredient complexity, limited-time offerings are designed to create scarcity and demand. Once the scheduled run is complete, the item is rotated out to make room for the next innovation.

Why Limited-Time Offerings (LTOs) Like Honey Chicken Disappear

Understanding why an incredibly popular item like the Honey Chicken vanishes from the menu is key to setting expectations for its return. Chipotle, like many fast-casual chains, uses LTOs as a core part of its marketing and menu strategy. This approach offers several business advantages that outweigh the desire to keep a single item permanently.

The Strategy Behind Menu Rotation

• Driving Urgency and Traffic: A limited-time item creates a "fear of missing out" (FOMO) effect. Customers who love the item, or who are simply curious, rush to purchase it before it's gone, leading to a spike in sales and foot traffic.
• Testing New Flavors: LTOs allow Chipotle to test market viability for new flavor profiles without the long-term commitment of a permanent ingredient. The Honey Chicken, with its sweet element, was a major test of a non-traditional Mexican flavor.
• Operational Simplicity: Chipotle prides itself on a simple, efficient menu. Adding a new, permanent protein requires significant changes to the supply chain, training, and kitchen layout. LTOs are managed for a fixed period, minimizing long-term operational complexity.
• Maintaining Buzz: By rotating items—bringing back fan favorites like Carne Asada or introducing new concepts like Pollo Asado or Adobo Ranch—Chipotle keeps its brand in the news cycle and gives customers a reason to return regularly.

The discontinuation of Honey Chicken is a testament to its success as an LTO, not a failure. It proved that customers are eager for sweet and smoky options, which is valuable market data for the company's future menu development.

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The Best Alternatives: What to Order at Chipotle Right Now

While the Honey Chicken is off the menu, Chipotle continues to offer a range of delicious proteins and flavor enhancers that can help satisfy that craving for something slightly different than the classic Adobo Chicken. The key is to mix and match the available ingredients.

Current Proteins and Flavor Fixes

1. Pollo Asado (The Closest LTO Cousin): While not sweet, Pollo Asado is another grilled chicken LTO that has seen rotation. It features a bright, citrusy flavor from achiote and a blend of spices. If available, it offers a distinct, non-traditional chicken experience.
2. Carne Asada (The Returning Champion): Chipotle’s most-searched and highly anticipated LTO, Carne Asada, often makes temporary returns. Its tender texture and savory marinade offer a premium protein option for those seeking an upgrade from the standard chicken.
3. The Adobo Ranch Hack (For a Sweet/Smoky Blend): For a flavor closest to the Honey Chicken's profile, try combining the standard Adobo Chicken with the new Adobo Ranch dressing. The Adobo Ranch offers a creamy, smoky, and slightly tangy flavor that can mimic the complexity of the Honey Chicken when paired with a hint of sweetness from a corn or pineapple salsa (if available).
4. Sofritas (The Plant-Based Alternative): For those open to a different texture, the Sofritas—braised tofu with chipotle peppers, roasted poblanos, and spices—provides a deep, smoky flavor that can be paired with a sweeter salsa or a side of honey vinaigrette dressing (if available for salads) to create a custom sweet-and-smoky bowl.
5. The DIY Honey Vinaigrette: Some fans have found success by ordering a salad and asking for the Honey Vinaigrette salad dressing on the side, then using it to dress their chicken bowl. While not the same as the marinade, it adds the crucial sweet and tangy element.

The discontinuation of the Honey Chicken is a painful reality for many Chipotle loyalists in 2025. However, the history of LTOs suggests a glimmer of hope: popular items frequently return for encore runs. Until then, exploring the current menu's innovative sauces and proteins offers the best way to craft a custom bowl that comes close to replicating the sweet and smoky magic.